How to disable auto-update apps on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: the full guide

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment, but its owners often face unexpected costs of mobile traffic or battery discharge due to background updates of applications. Automatic download of updates can occur not only through Google Play Market, but also through branded services MIUI, which complicates the task of full control over the process. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to disable auto updates from standard settings to hidden firmware functions.

The Redmi Note 8 (codenamed ginkgo) has the ability to run different versions of MIUI, from global to Chinese, and custom firmware, which affects the location of some menu items. We've taken all the nuances into account and prepared universal instructions that will work for most versions of the software. If you notice that the menu has changed since the system update, check the alternative paths at the end of the article.

Why Auto-Update Apps Is a Problem for the Redmi Note 8

At first glance, automatic app updates seem like a convenient feature: you don’t have to manually check for updates, and security is good for you. However, for the Redmi Note 8, with its modest 4,000 mAh battery and not always stable Internet connection, this can turn out to be serious inconveniences:

• 📉 Uncontrolled traffic consumption, especially critical for users with limited rates or when roaming. Some updates (for example, for games or social networks) can weigh 100+ MB.
• 🔋 Accelerated battery discharge. Background download of updates activates modules Wi-Fi/4G processor, which increases the energy consumption of 15-20%.
• 📱 If the update occurs during active smartphone use, it can lead to lags or even restarts.
• 🔒 The risk of installing unstable versions. Not all updates are tested for compatibility with the Internet. MIUI, bug-prone.

According to a study by XDA Developers, up to 60% of Xiaomi users turn off auto-updates in the first months after buying a device, and 35% of them do not even suspect that updates can be downloaded not only through the Play Market, but also through the MIUI App Store or GetApps, Xiaomi’s branded services that often ignore Google’s settings.

Method 1: Disabling Auto Updates in Google Play Market

The most obvious and versatile method is to adjust the update options in Google Play, which works on any Android smartphone, including the Redmi Note 8, regardless of the MIUI version. It is important to note that the changes will apply to all apps installed through the Play Market, but will not affect system updates or programs from other sources.

Instructions:

1. Open the Google Play Market app (color triangle icon).
2. Slip on the profile avatar in the upper right corner.
3. Select the Settings item.
4. Go to the Network section → Auto-update of applications.
5. Choose one of the options: 🚫 Never – completely shutting down auto updates. 📶 Wi-Fi alone is a compromise option to save mobile traffic. 🌐 Over any network – not recommended for the Redmi Note 8.

Play Market

⋮ → Remove from auto-update

An important nuance: even after disabling auto-updates, Play Market can check for updates in the background. To completely ban this activity, you need to limit the background operation of Google Play Services through battery settings (more about this in the next section).

⚠️ Attention: If you are using MIUI version 12.5+, After the update, the Play Market settings can be reset to the factory.

Method 2: Limit background activity through MIUI settings

MIUI is known for aggressively optimizing application backgrounds, but paradoxically, it can update system components without the user’s knowledge. To completely block auto-updates, it is necessary to turn off background activity for key services:

Step 1: Limit Google Play Services

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search box, type Google Play Services.
3. Select the application and tap the Battery → Limit background activity.
4. Activate the Limit switch.

Step 2: Block MIUI App Store and GetApps

• 🛑 For MIUI App Store: Find the app in Application Management. Select Mobile Data → Disable background traffic. Turn off AutoRun in the same name section.

GetApps

1. Similarly, limit mobile data and background activity.
2. Uninstall the app if you are not using it (it is not system-specific).

On the Redmi Note 8 with MIUI 13+ firmware, you may need to further disable the com.xiaomi.mipicks service via ADB (instructions in the Advanced Users section).

💡

If notifications from some applications (e.g. messengers) have stopped coming after the background activity restriction, add them to the exception list in the Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization section.

Method 3: Using a traffic saving mode (for mobile network)

If your main problem is mobile internet consumption, not the updates themselves, you can use the MIUI-built traffic saving mode, which does not disable auto updates completely, but blocks them when you connect to the mobile network, leaving the updates to be downloaded only via Wi-Fi.

How to activate:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Transfer of data.
2. Choose yours. SIM-card (if there are several).
3. Activate the Traffic Saving Switch.
4. Switch to traffic saving settings.
5. Enable the option to limit background traffic.
6. In the list of apps, find Play Market, MIUI App Store and GetApps, then ban them from background data transfer.

This is especially useful for users who are often roaming or using tariffs with limited traffic, but note that in saving mode background updates for other services, such as mail or instant messengers, can stop working.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI (For example, 12.0.3), there may be no option to save traffic, in which case, use an alternative method - disabling mobile data for specific applications manually through Settings. → Annexes → Data management.

Method 4: Disable auto-updates via ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods do not work (for example, due to custom firmware or modified MIUI), you can resort to ADB commands. This method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and basic knowledge of working with the command line, but gives maximum control over the system.

Step-by-step:

1. Install. ADB-Drivers on the computer (for example, through Mi) PC Suite or Platform Tools from Google).
2. Activate Developer Mode on Redmi Note 8: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Enable USB Debugging.

USB

File transfer

cmd

ADB

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed)

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.vending

(Switching off Play Market Auto Updates)

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicks

(Mows off the MIUI App Store)

To get it back, replace the disable-user commands with enable.

This is the most radical method and is suitable for users who want to block any updates completely, but remember that disabling system services can lead to unstable work of some functions (for example, push notifications or synchronization of a Google account).

Alternative methods: third-party applications and custom firmware

If none of the above methods worked, you might consider using third-party tools or switching to custom firmware, an option that is suitable for experienced users willing to sacrifice the warranty for the sake of full control of the device.

Option 1: Traffic blocking applications

• 🔒 NetGuard (free, no root): Blocks Internet access for selected applications (including Play Market). VPN, It does not require the rights of a superuser.
• 🛡️ AFWall+ (requires root: Full firewall with flexible rule settings.Can block traffic at the Android core level.

Option 2: Custom firmware

Firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience are stripped of Xiaomi’s branded services, including the MIUI App Store, but they require:

• Unlock the bootloader (bootloader).
• Installations of custom recavery (TWRP).
• Backup data (the process erases everything from the device).

Advantages of custom firmware:

• ✅ No forced updates from Xiaomi.
• ✅ Longer support (current versions of Android, even for older devices).
• ✅ Ability to fine-tune the system.

⚠️ Note: Installing custom firmware will void the warranty on the Redmi Note 8 and may lead to unstable operation of the device if the inappropriate version of the software is selected.Be sure to check the compatibility of the firmware with the ginkgo model before the procedure.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after disabling auto-updates, Redmi Note 8 users may face unexpected challenges.

Problem 1: Updates continue to load despite all settings

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔄 Play Market Settings Reset: Sometimes Google's cache ignores the changes.Try: Go to Settings → Annexes → Google Play Market → Storage.Push Clear cache and Reset settings.

System applications

Xiaomi

Mi Video

Mi Browser

MIUI App Store

Method 2

Security policy

MDM

Problem 2: After the MIUI update, the settings reset

Xiaomi is known for having major system updates (e.g., from MIUI 12 to MIUI 13) that return some custom settings to factory settings.

• 📝 Create a backup of settings through Settings → Additionally. → Backup.
• 🔗 Use automation: Apps like Tasker or MacroDroid can track updates MIUI and re-apply the necessary settings.
• 🚫 Refuse automatic updates MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update the system. ⋮ → Settings → Auto download updates. Select Off..

Problem 3: Push notifications fail after background activity is blocked

If you restricted Google Play Services or other system applications, it could have affected notification delivery.

• 🔔 Add exceptions: Go to Settings → Battery → Battery optimization: Find the right app (like WhatsApp or Telegram.
• 🔄 Restore background activity for Google Services, but only disable auto-updates through the Play Market (see Method 1).

Important: rolling back a version may disrupt the application or cause conflicts with other programs. Always back up before such manipulations.