How to disable automatic app updates on Xiaomi: the full guide

Automatic app updates on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often cause unexpected problems, from sudden consumption of mobile traffic to failures in favorite programs after “updates”, especially for users with limited Internet bundles or owners of devices with low memory, where each update takes precious megabytes.

In this article, you’ll find 5 proven ways to completely or selectively disable app auto-update — from standard Google Play settings to hidden MIUI features to even system tricks for power users. All methods tested on the latest firmware versions (MIUI 14 on Android 13/14) and work on models from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 13 Ultra. And if you’re afraid of losing important security updates, we’ll show you how to leave critical updates on, blocking only unnecessary ones.

Warning: Some methods require developer rights or system files to be modified, which can affect the stability of your smartphone, so back up your data through Settings → Memory → Backup before experimenting.

1. Disable Auto Update in Google Play Market

The easiest and safest way is to configure update options directly in Google Play, which works on all Xiaomi smartphones, regardless of MIUI or Android version, and does not require superuser rights.

Open the Google Play Store app, tap the profile avatar in the top right corner and select Settings → Network Settings → App Auto-Update. There are 3 options available:

• 🔄 Through any network - updates are downloaded automatically over Wi-Fi and mobile Internet (the most voracious mode).
• 📶 Only through Wi-Fi - updates are installed only when connected to a wireless network (we recommend to save traffic).
• ❌ Do not update automatically – completely disable auto-updates (apps will only be updated manually).

For maximum control, select the third item. But remember: this does not block updates to Xiaomi system applications (such as Mi Browser or Security) that are updated through the GetApps brand store. To disable them, read the next section.

⚠️ Note: If you choose Wi-Fi Only, but connect to a public network (such as a cafe or airport), some apps may update automatically. To avoid this, disable Auto Update over measurable networks in the same settings.

2. Block updates through GetApps (branded store Xiaomi)

Many users forget that Xiaomi is not only running Google Play, but also its own app store – GetApps (formerly Mi App Store), which is often used to update system utilities, themes and branded Xiaomi services, even if you have disabled auto-updates in the Play Market.

To block updates here, follow the following steps:

1. Open the GetApps app (an icon with a blue package and a white arrow).
2. Go to Profile → Settings (cog in the upper right corner).
3. Click on Auto Update apps and select Disable.
4. For reliability, also disable the option Autoload recommendations – this will prevent background activity of the store.

If your MIUI version does not have an Auto Update option (as it happens on some firmware for global models), use an alternative method:

• 🛑 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Find in the list of GetApps and tap on it.
• ⚙️ Choose the Battery. → Background activity and set a limit Limit.
• 📵 Go back and turn off the Auto Start option.

These actions will not remove the store, but will significantly reduce its activity. System updates (for example, for Mi Home or Mi Fit) may still come, but their installation will require your confirmation.

3. Use of the “Background Data” mode for individual applications

If you only need to block updates for specific apps (like Facebook, which starts eating the battery after each update), use Android’s built-in tools to limit background traffic.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (like Google Chrome or Instagram).
3. Slip on mobile data and Wi-Fi.
4. Turn off the Background data option (this will block the updates from downloading in the background).
5. For full control, also turn off AutoRun in the same menu.

After these actions, the application will only be able to update when you open or through Google Play manually.

⚠️ Warning: Don’t disable background data for Google Play Services and Services Framework – this can cause Google account disruptions and syncs. Instead, limit mobile traffic to them, leaving Wi-Fi to them.

Disable updates via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods do not help, and root rights can not be obtained (or do not want to), use ADB-This is a way to globally disable auto-updates for all applications, including system-based ones.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Xiaomi smartphone with enabled debugging USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the additional → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Connect your phone to your PC and execute the following commands in turn at the terminal (or Command Prompt):

adb shell pm clear com.android.vending


adb shell dumpsys device_idle whitelist -com.android.vending




adb shell dumpsys device_idle force-idle




adb shell settings put global auto_update_apps 0

The first command resets Google Play settings, the second removes it from the “white list” of background processes, the third forcibly transfers the system to power saving mode (which blocks background updates), and the fourth directly disables auto-updates at the Android level.

To get it back, use:

adb shell settings put global auto_update_apps 1

5. Radical method: removing updates to system applications

Some Xiaomi system applications (such as Mi Browser, Mi Music or Mi Video) are updated via GetApps and do not have the "Remove Updates" button in the standard menu, but can be rolled back to the factory version using ADB or a root file manager.

List of applications that can be safely rolled back (without the risk of losing the functionality of the system):

• 🌐 com.android.browser (Mi Browser)
• 🎵 com.miui.player (Mi Music)
• 📺 com.miui.videoplayer (Mi Video)
• 📱 com.miui.weather2 (Weather)
• 📖 com.miui.notes (Notes)

To roll back the application, execute the command:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 title.packet

For example, for Mi Browser:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser

Once the app is restarted, it will return to the factory version, and auto-updates will be blocked for it. To get it back, just manually update it through GetApps.

💡

Before rolling back system applications, check their dependencies! for example, deleting com.xiaomi.scanner can break the job QR-camera-scanner.

6. Alternative methods: disabling notifications and limiting traffic

If you do not need to completely block updates, but want to reduce their impact on the smartphone, use these methods:

• 🔔 Disabling Update Notifications: Go to Settings → Notifications → Manage notifications, find Google Play and GetApps, then turn off all the switches. Now updates will be installed in the background without distracting you.
• 📡 Restriction of mobile traffic: In Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Transfer of data → Background restriction add Google Play and GetApps to the list of restricted-traffic apps. Updates will only be downloaded over Wi-Fi.
• ⏳ Delayed Updates: You can set your update schedule on Google Play. Select Network in the store settings → Auto Update Schedule and specify a convenient time (for example, at night).

These methods don’t block updates completely, but make the process less intrusive, especially useful for users with limited traffic or those who don’t want the smartphone to slow down due to background Play Market activity.

💡

Even after auto updates are disabled, critical security updates (like those for Google Play Services) can be forced to install.

FAQ: Frequent questions about updates on Xiaomi