Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones, which are based on the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, tend to keep the software up to date. The system automatically checks for new versions for installed programs, which often leads to unexpected consumption of mobile traffic or filling up internal memory. For many users, it is critical to have full control over this process, especially when using tariffs with limited Internet.
Disabling automatic update downloads allows you to decide when and which version of an application to install, and it also gives you the opportunity to test the stability of the program in the current version before switching to a new one, which may contain errors or unwanted interface changes. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available ways to manage this process.
On Android, several different services can initiate updates at the same time, the main sources being the Google Play store, Xiaomi’s own GetApps store, and the system settings of the MIUI shell itself. Understanding which mechanism triggers the download is the first step to effectively managing your device.
Disable Auto Update via Google Play Store
The main source of updates for most users is the official Google App Store, which stores the versions of the programs you downloaded initially, and to stop the background loading, you need to change the settings inside the Play Store app itself, which will only affect those programs that were installed through this service.
First, open the Play Store app on your smartphone. In the upper right corner, you'll see a round icon of your profile or avatar. Click on it to turn the drop-down menu around. In the list that opens, select Settings. Next, look for the Settings section in the second column or list where App Auto Update will be.
When you click on this, the system will offer you three options: You can choose only via Wi-Fi if you want to save mobile traffic, but allow home updates; or choose Do Not Update automatically to stop the process completely. Once you select the options, the changes are saved instantly and the background load will stop.
- 📱 Open the Play Store app and click on the profile icon.
- ⚙️ Go to the Settings menu and select Settings in the list.
- 🚫 Click on Auto Update Apps and select Download Ban.
⚠️ Warning: Disabling auto updates completely in Google Play may cause you to miss important security updates for mission-critical applications such as banking clients or instant messengers.
Set up your own GetApps store on Xiaomi
Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners are facing another source of updates, the built-in GetApps store (formerly known as the Mi Store), which often runs parallel to Google Play and can update system apps or programs installed through it. Ignoring the settings of this store negates efforts to save traffic.
To manage settings, look for an app with a package icon signed as GetApps or Apps on your desktop or in the Tools folder. Open it and go to the Profile tab or click on the man icon in the lower right corner. In the menu that opens, select Settings, and then find the Auto Update option.
Network choices are also available here. You can limit the download to Wi-Fi only or turn off the function completely. Note that in some versions of MIUI, this item may be called Update over Wi-Fi and have a switch. If you want to stop the process completely, the switch needs to deactivate.
- 🏪 Launch the GetApps (Mi Store) app on your device.
- 👤 Go to the user profile and select the Settings section.
- 📡 Find the auto-update and select “Never” or “Wi-Fi Only” mode».
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If you don’t use the GetApps store, you can turn it off completely in the application settings so that it doesn’t waste resources in the background, but this can affect the operation of Xiaomi system services.
MIUI system settings and background activity limitations
The MIUI shell has powerful power management tools that indirectly affect auto-update. If an application is not authorized to run in the background, it will not be able to check for a new version or start downloading without your knowledge. It is an effective method for heavy programs that you rarely use.
Go to the main settings menu of the phone and select the App section. Next, click on All Apps and find the desired store in the list, for example, Play Store or GetApps. In the app menu, find Saving Charge or Activity Control. Select the option No restrictions if you want to allow background work, or Limit background activity to block background processes.
You should also pay attention to the settings of the mobile network. SIM-Maps and mobile networks often have a traffic limit or traffic saving option. When you activate the saving mode, the system can block background data transfer for all applications except those included in the exceptions.
| Setup parameter | Where to find out. | Recommended value | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auto-update | Google Play / GetApps | Only Wi-Fi. | Savings in mobile traffic |
| Background activity | Settings → Applications | Limit | Reduced battery consumption |
| Savings regime | Settings → Battery | Included. | Blocking background processes |
| File downloading | Settings → Downloads | Only Wi-Fi. | Control of volume |
☑️ Checking system constraints
Managing Updates for Individual Applications
Sometimes the user does not need a global shutdown, but only requires that the update be disallowed for a specific program. For example, a new version of a favorite launcher or messenger may not work smoothly, in which case Android allows you to manage the settings for each application individually, ignoring the general rules.
Go to the Google Play Store, search for the app you want, and open the page. In the upper right corner, click on the three menu points. If there's an update available for this app, you'll see Auto Update with a switch. If you uncheck the box, you'll be barred from automatically installing the new version for this particular software.
Importantly, this setup only works within the Google ecosystem. For Xiaomi system applications that are updated via GetApps, the procedure needs to be repeated in the appropriate store.This gives flexibility: you can leave the auto-update for the antivirus, but disable it for social networks.
- 🔍 Find a specific app in the Google Play or GetApps store.
- ⋮ Click on the three-dot menu in the corner of the app screen.
- ✅ Uncheck the checkmark from the "Auto Update" item if it is active.
⚠️ Warning: Disabling security-related updates (antiviruses, bank tokens) can make your data vulnerable to new threats.
Why is the app still being updated?
Use of traffic saving mode and access point
One of the most radical but effective ways is to use a traffic-saving mode, where when a Redmi or Xiaomi smartphone enters this mode, the operating system blocks background data transfers for most applications, ensuring that no app can download the update without your direct involvement.
You can activate this mode in the notification curtain or through Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Traffic limit. You can set a daily limit of 0 MB or just turn on the saving switch, but remember that in this mode, notifications from messengers and emails in the background will stop coming.
Another nuance is connected with the mode "Access Point". If you distribute the Internet from phone to computer, the system may consider this connection unstable or limited by default. In the settings of the access point Settings → Wi-Fi Access Point → Access point settings, you can find the traffic restriction setting, which also blocks background downloads.
For advanced users, there is the possibility of using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) for deeper management. With commands, you can freeze the batch update manager, but this requires a connection to a PC and the availability of appropriate drivers. The average user is quite limited by system constraints.
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.vending💡
Traffic saving mode is a “nuclear button” that is guaranteed to stop any background downloads, but temporarily disables notifications.