How to completely disable app updates on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Why Xiaomi is imposing app updates and how to stop it

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO are known for their aggressive policy of automatic updates. MIUI not only downloads updates for pre-installed applications (like Mi Browser, Mi Video or GetApps), but often does so in the background, consuming traffic and battery power. Worse, some updates can remove root rights or reset power saving settings if you use informal firmware.

To make matters worse, the Google Play Store and Mi App Store work in parallel: even if you turn off auto-updates in one store, the other will continue to impose updates. In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to block updates, from basic settings to hidden MIUI features and ADB commands.

It's important to understand that some methods require unlocking the bootloader or the superuser's rights. If you're not ready for this manipulation, focus on the first three methods that work without root. Also note that once you reset your phone to factory settings, you'll have to repeat all the changes again.

Method 1: Disabling Auto Updates in Google Play Store

The most obvious, but not always effective, method is to set up the Google Play Store, which is suitable for all applications installed through the official store, but does not affect Xiaomi system utilities (for example, Security or Themes).

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Google Play Store and tap the profile avatar in the upper right corner.
• ⚙️ Select Settings → Network settings → Auto-update of applications.
• 🚫 Set the value Do not update applications automatically.
• 🔒 For reliability, also disable the option to Update applications over any network (this will prevent background loading via mobile Internet).

⚠️ Note: This method does not block updates to Xiaomi system apps that are distributed through the Mi App Store. for example, Mi Community or Mi Home will continue to update regardless of Google Play settings.

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If after disabling the auto updates Play Store still downloads updates - clear the app cache in the phone settings (Settings → Apps → Google Play Market → Storage → Clear cache).

Method 2: Block updates through the Mi App Store

Mi App Store (or GetApps) is Xiaomi’s proprietary app store that is responsible for updating system utilities. Unlike Google Play, there is no direct option to disable auto updates, but there are workarounds.

Steps to limit:

1. Open GetApps (the icon with the blue package and the white arrow down).
2. Go to the Updates section (the tab at the bottom of the screen).
3. Slap the icon. ⚙️ in the upper right corner and select Update Settings.
4. Turn off the auto update option via Wi-Fi (and through mobile data if it is active).
5. Return to the Updates section and manually cancel all pending updates by swiping them to the left.

🔧 An extra trick: If GetApps keeps intrusively offering updates, you can turn off notifications from that app:

1. Press the GetApps icon on the home screen and select App Information.
2. Go to Notifications and deactivate all switches.

Clear the GetApps cache | Disable auto-updates over Wi-Fi/mobile data |Delete the app from auto-boot |Disable notifications from the store-->

Method 3: Limit background activity through MIUI settings

MIUI allows you to manually limit the background activity of applications, including stores, and this does not block updates completely, but significantly reduces their frequency.

How to set up:

• 🛠️ Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Find Google Play Store and GetApps in the list.
• 🔋 Choose a battery for each of them. → Limit the background and set strict limits.
• 📶 In the Mobile Data section, disable background traffic.

📌 Important: After these manipulations, stores will not be able to download updates in the background, but you will still be able to update apps manually by opening the Play Store or GetApps.

Google Play Store|Mi App Store (GetApps)|Both equally |Noticed automatic updates-->

Method 4: Removing system application updates (requires ADB)

If you're tired of intrusive system utilities updates (such as Mi Browser or Security), you can roll them back to the factory version and block further changes. ADB (Android Debug Bridge and Computer.

🔧 Step-by-step instruction:

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC.
2. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: Adb devices (the name of your device should appear).
4. To remove updates for a particular application (e.g. Mi Browser), use: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser Replace com.android.browser with the desired application package.

⚠️ Note: This method does not remove the application completely, but only rolls it back to the factory version. System utilities (such as Security or Themes) can recover after a reboot or update. MIUI. For permanent blocking, root will be required.

Method 5: Completely block updates through root (for advanced)

If you are ready for radical measures and your phone has unlocked the bootloader and installed Magisk (or other root manager), you can completely block updates at the system level.

🛡️ Blocking options:

• 🔧 Freeze through Titanium Backup: Install Titanium Backup XDA Developers. find the Google Play Store and GetApps. select Freeze (this will shut them off before defrosting).

build.prop

1. Open build.prop in the root directory (/system/build.prop) with Root Explorer.
2. Add the line: ro.maintenance.update=false
3. Save the file and restart the phone.
4. 🚫 Removal through ADB root: adb shell su pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.vending pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.market ⚠️ This will remove the Google Play Store and Mi App Store completely.

Solution: Combine methods 1, 2 and 3 from this article.