How to disable app updates on Xiaomi: full guide

Automatic updates on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often cause unexpected problems, from sudden traffic consumption to failures in the work of your favorite programs. Many users face a situation when after another update, the application begins to slow down, loses its usual functionality or stops running altogether. Fortunately, the manufacturer provides several ways to control this process, from completely disabling auto updates to selectively blocking for individual programs.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to disable updates, including hidden MIUI settings, Google Play Store features, and even system tricks for power users. We’ll focus on the nuances of different firmware versions (from MIUI 12 to MIUI 14) and the potential consequences of each method, and if you’re tired of constantly notifying about new versions or want to save space on your device, this guide is for you.

Why does Xiaomi update apps automatically?

By default, Xiaomi smartphones are set to automatically update all installed applications through the Google Play Store and the GetApps brand store. This feature is enabled for a reason - it has several purposes:

• 🛡️ Security: Closing vulnerabilities in older versions of software.
• 🔄 Stability: Correcting bugs and errors in work.
• 📱 Compatibility: adapting to new versions of Android and MIUI.
• 📊 Monetization: Some updates add ads or paid features.

But automatic updates have a downside: First, newer versions of apps aren’t always optimized for a particular smartphone model, which can cause slowdowns or overheating. Second, updates often take up extra memory space, which is critical for devices with 32/64GB of storage. Finally, many users prefer to stay on proven versions of programs, avoiding experimenting with new design or functionality.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling automatic updates may increase the risk of security vulnerabilities, recommend manually checking critical applications (banking, instant messengers) for updates once in a while. 1-2 month.

Method 1: Disabling Auto Updates in Google Play Store

The easiest and most versatile method is to configure update options directly in the Google Play Store, which works on all Xiaomi smartphones, regardless of MIUI or Android version.

1. Open the Google Play Store app.
2. Slip on the profile avatar in the upper right corner.
3. Select the Settings item.
4. Go to Network and Updates (or Auto-Update apps in older versions).
5. Click on Auto Update Apps.
6. Choose one of the options: Over any network, updates are downloaded over Wi-Fi and mobile Internet (by default); Wi-Fi only, updates are downloaded only when connected to a wireless network; Do not update automatically - completely disable auto-updates.

If you want to keep the manual update option but remove the automatic one, choose the third option. After that, all updates will be available only through the Application and Device Management section → Updates in the Play Store.

Is the Play Store open?

Is your Google account authorized?

Selected the item "Do not update automatically"?

Is your network settings (Wi-Fi/mobile) checked?

-->

Note: this method only disables auto-updates for apps installed through Google Play. System programs and software from GetApps will continue to be updated.

Method 2: Blocking updates for individual applications

If you need to disable auto-update only for specific programs (such as Facebook, Instagram, or Facebook) MIUI-System utilities, do the following:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Find the right app through search.
3. Slip on his card to open the page.
4. Press three points (⋮) top-right.
5. Uncheck the Auto Update box (or Enable Auto Update if it is active).

This is handy if you want to save automatic updates for most programs, but block it for several. For example, many users turn off auto-updates for YouTube or Google Chrome, as newer versions of these apps often consume more resources.

For Xiaomi system applications (e.g. Mi Browser, Mi Video), this method may not work – their updates are controlled through GetApps or system settings.

Social networks (Facebook, Instagram)

Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram)

System Utilities (MIUI Security, Cleaner)

Games (PUBG, Genshin Impact)

Others-->

Method 3: Disable updates via GetApps (branded Xiaomi store)

Many users forget that Xiaomi smartphones, in addition to Google Play, have a branded app store - GetApps (formerly Mi App Store), which is responsible for updating system utilities and some third-party programs.

1. Open the GetApps app (an icon with a blue package and a white arrow).
2. Slip on the profile avatar in the upper right corner.
3. Go to Settings (cog in the menu).
4. Select Auto-Update of Applications.
5. Turn off the switch or select Never (depending on the version of the app).

Important: In some regions (e.g. Europe), GetApps can be disabled by default or replaced by an alternative store. If you don't find this app, check the Other Apps folder or search the system.

If you only need to disable updates for specific system applications (such as Mi Browser or Mi Music), do the following:

1. In GetApps, go to the Updates section.
2. Find the right app in the list.
3. Slap it on and uncheck the auto update.

⚠️ Note: Blocking updates for system applications (e.g, MIUI Security or Mi Share may lead to conflicts with future firmware updates. MIUI, We recommend that you temporarily enable auto-updates for these programs.

Method 4: Using a traffic saving mode (for mobile Internet)

If your main problem is the consumption of mobile traffic for updates, you can use the built-in data saving feature in MIUI. This method does not disable auto updates completely, but limits their download only over Wi-Fi:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-map.
3. Activate the Traffic Saving Switch.
4. Slip on Traffic Savings Settings.
5. Enable the option to limit background traffic.
6. In the list of apps, find the Google Play Store and GetApps, then limit background traffic for them.

After that, the updates will only be downloaded when you connect to Wi-Fi, even if the Play Store settings are Via Any Network, which is useful for those who want to save mobile Internet, but are not ready to completely abandon auto-updates.

💡

If after activating traffic saving updates are still downloaded on the mobile network, check the settings in the Google Play Store itself - perhaps there is a priority over system restrictions.

This method has a downside: it doesn’t block updates from downloading in the background if you’re connected to Wi-Fi. If you need to turn off auto updates completely, combine this method with the first or third.

Method 5: Disable updates via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work or you want to block system-level updates, you can use the system to do so. ADB-This method requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and basic knowledge of working with Android Debug Bridge. It is suitable for removing pre-installed updates or blocking system applications.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on Smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times)
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and install it. ADB-drivers (if necessary).
4. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type: adb devices Make sure your device appears in the list.
5. To disable updates for a specific application (e.g. Mi Browser), run: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.browser Replace com.android.browser with the batch name of the desired application.
6. To completely disable Google Play updates, type: adb shell dumpsys device_idle whitelist -com.google.android.gms

List of batch names of popular Xiaomi system applications:

• com.miui.securitycenter — MIUI Security
• com.miui.cleanmaster — Cleaner
• com.miui.videoplayer — Mi Video
• com.xiaomi.midrop — Mi Share

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This can cause system instability. Before executing commands, back up your data through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and Reset: Disabling critical system applications (e.g. com.google.android.gms) may disrupt Google services.

What to do if updates are still installed?

If, after all the manipulations, the applications continue to update automatically, check the following points:

• 🔄 Google Play Cash: Clear App Data Through Settings → Annexes → Google Play Store → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 📱 Updates MIUI: After installing the new firmware version, the auto-update settings may reset.
• 🔧 Third-party launchers: Some shells (like Nova Launcher) have their own update mechanisms.
• 🛠️ Administrator rights: if applications with administrator rights are installed on the device (antiviruses, MDM-Solutions, they can force you to update the software. → Passwords and security → Device administrators.

If the problem persists, try temporarily disabling sync with your Google account:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
2. Select your Google account.
3. Turn off sync for the Google Play Store.
4. Reset the device.

As a last resort, you can use blocking applications like Disabler for Xiaomi (requires root rights), but this method is only suitable for advanced users, as it carries risks to the stability of the system.

💡

If none of these methods worked, check your device for viruses or malware that could mimic updates. Use MIUI Security or Malwarebytes to scan.

FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling updates on Xiaomi