How to permanently disable app updates on Xiaomi Redmi: the full guide

Automatic app updates on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones often cause unexpected problems, from sudden traffic consumption to program failures after “updates.” This is especially true for devices with limited memory (for example, Redmi 9A or Redmi Note 8 Pro), where each additional update can take up precious megabytes. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to disable auto updates – both through standard MIUI settings and using hidden Android features.

It’s important to understand that Xiaomi uses two independent update systems, its own (MIUI) and Google Play. So to fully control the process, you will need to configure both platforms. We will also consider the risks of disabling updates and give recommendations for safe application management without losing functionality.

Why Xiaomi Redmi is automatically updating apps

MIUI smartphones (including all Redmi and Poco models) are set to automatically update system and third-party applications by default.

• 🔄 Security: Closing vulnerabilities in outdated software versions.
• 📱 Compatibility: Support for new Android features and MIUI.
• 📊 Stability: fixing bugs and errors in the application.
• 💰 Monetizations: Some updates add ads or paid features.

However, automatic updates have serious disadvantages:

• 📉 Traffic consumption: updates can eat up to 1-2 GB per month (especially games like Genshin Impact or GB/Month) PUBG Mobile).
• 🗃️ Busy memory: Newer versions of apps often weigh more than old ones.
• 🔋 Battery discharge: background update installation consumes charge.
• 🚨 Failures: Not all updates are tested for compatibility with MIUI.

For example, after updating Facebook or Instagram, many Redmi Note 10 Pro users complain of increased battery consumption or freezes, and updating system applications (for example, com.miui.system) can lead to loss of root rights or reset personal settings.

Method 1: Disabling Auto Updates in Google Play Market

The easiest and most versatile method is to set up Google Play, which is responsible for updating most third-party apps. The instruction is relevant for all Redmi models (including Redmi 12, Redmi Note 11 and older devices):

1. Open the Google Play Store.

For more flexible settings:

• 📶 Wi-Fi Only: Updates will only be downloaded when connected to a wireless network.
• 🚫 Never: Completely disabling auto updates (you will have to manually update).
• ⚙️ For individual applications: You can only disallow updates for selected programs (see next section).

An important nuance: even after disabling auto-updates, Google Play can force system apps (e.g. Google Chrome or YouTube) to update, and to avoid this, you will need to turn off background activity for Google Play Services (see Method 4).

Method 2: Prohibit updates for individual applications

If you need to leave auto-updates for most programs, but block them for specific ones (such as Mi Video or Mi Browser, which are often forced to update), do the following:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Find the right app through search.
3. Slip on the three dots in the corner of the app card.
4. Uncheck the box from the item Enable auto-update.

For MIUI system applications (e.g. Theme, Security), this method will not work – their updates are controlled through MIUI settings (see Method 3).

Critical information: system applications MIUI (For example, com.miui.securitycenter can be updated even when the settings in Google Play are disabled. ADB-commands or disconnections MIUI Optimizing.

Method 3: Disable system application updates in MIUI

Xiaomi uses its own update system for pre-installed applications (e.g. Mi Community, Mi Home, Cleaner) to disable them:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select a system application (e.g. Security).
3. Slip on the three dots in the top corner and select Disable Updates.
4. Confirm the action (a password or pattern lock may be required).

Some firmware (e.g. MIUI 13/14 for Redmi K50) may not have this item.

• 🔧 Use the Developer Mode (see Method 5).
• 📱 Install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher) that blocks system widget updates.

On MIUI Global firmware (e.g. Redmi 10 or Poco X3 Pro), system applications are updated via com.xiaomi.market and com.miui.systemAdSolution, which can only be disabled via ADB or root access.

Method 4: Block background activity of Google Play Services

If previous methods didn't work and apps are still being updated, the problem is the background activity of Google Play Services, which is responsible for forcing updates even when settings in the Play Market are disabled, to limit it:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Google Play Services (or com.google.android.gms).
3. Select the Battery → Background Activity.
4. Set a limit to limit.

⚠️ Note: a complete shutdown of Google Play Services will result in a:

• 🚫 Stop synchronizing your Google account (contacts, mail, calendar).
• 📍 Inoperability of Google Maps, YouTube and other services.
• 🔄 Problems with push notifications (for example, in Telegram or WhatsApp).

Alternatively, disable auto-update only for Google Play Services:

adb shell dumpsys deviceidle whitelist -com.google.android.gms

This command adds the service to the battery optimization whitelist, but doesn’t block it entirely.

Method 5: Using Developer Mode and ADB

For advanced users who are willing to work with ADB-There's a way to block all system-level updates, and this method works on all versions. MIUI (including MIUI 14 for the Redmi Note 12).

Step 1: Enable the Developer Mode:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Activate Debugging on USB.

Step 2: Connect your phone to your PC and execute the commands:

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


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




adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution

These commands are off:

• 📦 Updates via Google Play (com.android.vending.updater).

💡

Before execution ADB-commands to back up data through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset, which will help restore the system if something goes wrong.

⚠️ Note: After disabling these services:

• ❌ You will not be able to update apps manually through the Play Market.

Method 6: Remove updates via MIUI Optimizing (for rooted devices)

If your Redmi has root access (for example, through Magisk), you can completely remove auto-update mechanisms.

1. Install MIUI Optimizing (available on 4PDA or XDA Developers)
2. Open the App Manager section.
3. Find and disable the following packages: com.android.vending (Google Play Market) com.xiaomi.market (MIUI App Store) com.miui.systemAdSolution (advertising modules) com.miui.updateservice (system updates)

Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: This method violates the integrity of the system and may lead to:

• 🚨 Loss of warranty (if the device is under warranty).
• 🔄 Some features are not working properly (e.g. Google Pay will stop working).
• 📱 Impossibility to obtain OTA-Updates (you will have to hand-write them).

💡

Use root methods only if you are an experienced user and understand the risks. For most tasks, there are enough ways 1-4.

What to do if updates are still installed?

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

1. Google Account Settings: Sometimes updates come through Google Account Services. Turn off sync for Play Market in Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Background data: Limit mobile traffic for Play Market in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Transfer of data → Background mode.
3. Third-party launchers: Some shells (such as HyperOS Launcher) have their own update mechanisms. Uninstall them or disable auto-updates in their settings.
4. Viruses or malware: scan your device through Malwarebytes or Dr.Web. Some Trojans are replacing the Play Market settings.

If the problem persists, try resetting Google Play settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Google Play Store → Storage.
2. Click Clear the cache and Reset the settings.
3. Reset the device.

FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling updates on Xiaomi Redmi