How to disable automatic updates of applications on Xiaomi: all ways

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO regularly update installed apps through Google Play and the GetApps store. For most users, this is convenient - programs are always up to date, and security patches are installed automatically. But what if updates drain the battery in the background, eat up traffic or break the usual functionality of applications? For example, after an update, Mi Fit may stop syncing with the bracelet, and Mi Home - lose support for old smart home devices.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can disable updates, from basic Google Play settings to hidden MIUI settings and even manually uninstall updates via ADB. The instructions are relevant for MIUI 12–14 devices (including HyperOS) and Android 10–14. We’ll also find out what risks disabled updates pose and how to return everything back if something goes wrong.

Why Xiaomi is updating apps without demand

Automatic updates to Xiaomi applications work in three main scenarios:

• 📱 Google Play Store – Updates all apps downloaded through it, according to the global settings of Google account.
• 🛒 GetApps (Mi App Store) – Xiaomi’s brand store, which updates system and pre-installed applications (Mi Browser, Mi Video, Themes, etc.).
• 🔄 System services MIUI — Some applications (e.g. Security or Cleaner) are updated through the background processes of com.miui.systemAdSolution.

By default, all three mechanisms are enabled on new Xiaomi smartphones, which means that even if you turn off auto-update in Google Play, system applications can be updated through GetApps or MIUI services. The Mi App Store is particularly aggressive, often ignoring traffic restrictions and updating programs even on the mobile Internet.

The main reasons why users want to disable updates:

• 🔋 Battery savings – background updates consume up to 15% of the charge per day (according to tests) XDA Developers).
• 📶 Reduced traffic – One Facebook or Instagram update can eat up to 200MB.
• 🛠️ Keeping apps working – new versions often contain bugs or remove the necessary features (for example, Mi Fit may lose support for old fitness bracelets after the update).
• 📦 Limited space on budget models (Redmi) 9A, POCO C31) megabytes count.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling updates for system applications (such as Security or MiuiDaemon) can lead to security vulnerabilities. Xiaomi regularly closes critical gaps through updates - without them, your smartphone will become an easy target for viruses.

Method 1: Disabling Auto Updates in Google Play

The easiest and most secure method is to set up the Google Play Store, which will not block the updates completely, but will allow you to control the process.

Steps:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Slip on the profile avatar in the upper right corner.
3. Select Settings → Network → Auto-Update applications.
4. Set one of the values: 🔄 Through any network - updates are on Wi-Fi, and on the mobile Internet (the most voracious option). 📶 Wi-Fi Only – Recommended Mode to Save Traffic. ❌ Do not update automatically – completely disable auto-updates (apps will only be updated manually).

If you choose to not update automatically, you have to go to Google Play to install updates, open the app page, and click on Manual Update, which is inconvenient, but it guarantees full control.

Make sure your Google account settings are not synced to other devices |

Check if auto-update is enabled in the GetApps| store

Reboot your smartphone to apply changes |

View the list of apps with available updates (to install them manually later)-->

Method Limitation: This method does not work for Xiaomi system applications (e.g. Mi Browser or Themes) as they are updated via GetApps or MIUI background services.

Method 2: Block updates via GetApps (Mi App Store)

Xiaomi’s branded store, GetApps (or Mi App Store), often ignores Google Play’s settings and updates apps on its own.

Instructions:

1. Open the GetApps app (the icon with the blue robot).
2. Slip on the profile avatar in the upper right corner.
3. Go to Settings → Auto-Update applications.
4. Turn off the Auto Update switch.
5. (Optional) Turn off the Update Notices so you don't get reminders.

If your version of MIUI does not have Auto Update, try an alternative path:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find GetApps in the list and open its settings.
3. Tap Notifications and disable all categories (especially App Updates).
4. Go back and press the Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

Important: Even after disabling, GetApps can update system applications through background processes. To block this completely, you will need to disable permissions for the update service (see Method 4).

Once a week |

Only when something broke |

I never use the old versions |

I don't keep up with updates.-->

Method 3: Limit background activity through Android settings

If previous methods didn't work, you could force applications to be kept in the background, and that wouldn't shut down updates completely, but it would make them less intrusive.

How to limit background activity:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Google Play Store and open its settings.
3. Slip the battery. → Background activity.
4. Choose Limit (or Optimize if available).
5. Repeat steps 2-4 for applications: 🛒 GetApps (com.xiaomi.mipicks) 🔄 System update (com.android.updater) 🛡️ Security (com.miui.securitycenter)

After that, the apps won’t be able to update automatically, but you can still run updates manually.

An additional trick: If you want to block internet access for update services completely, do the following:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Transfer of data.
2. Select Background Limitation.
3. Add to the list of Google Play Store and GetApps.

⚠️ Attention: Restricting background activity for Google Play Services (com.google.android.gms) may cause Google account disruptions, including loss of contact and email sync!

Method 4: Disabling permissions for update services (advanced)

For users who are willing to dive into the developer's settings, there's a more radical method, which is revoking permissions from system services responsible for updates, which works even where standard methods are powerless.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI until you become a developer!

Settings → Additional → For Developers

USB-debugging

ADB

ADB

adb shell pm revoke com.android.vending android.permission.INSTALL_PACKAGES


adb shell pm revoke com.xiaomi.mipicks android.permission.INSTALL_PACKAGES




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




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

What these teams do:

Once you've completed the commands, restart your smartphone. Now, neither Google Play nor GetApps can update apps without you knowing. To get it back, use:

adb shell pm grant com.android.vending android.permission.INSTALL_PACKAGES


adb shell pm enable com.xiaomi.market

⚠️ Note: Disabling com.miui.systemAdSolution may cause ad units to work incorrectly in system applications (for example, in Mi Browser or Themes). If after completing commands, some programs have started to fly out, return the settings back.

💡

If Google Play stops opening after disabling permissions, clear its cache and data in Settings → Apps → Google Play Store → Storage.

Method 5: Manually Removing Updates (for system applications)

Some Xiaomi system applications (Mi Browser, Mi Video, Security) cannot be disabled or removed by standard methods, but you can roll them back to the factory version by removing all installed updates.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the right app (like Mi Browser) and tap it.
3. In the upper right corner, click on three dots → Remove updates.
4. Confirm the action.

How to work with AppOps (without root):

1. Download AppOps from Google Play.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm grant rikka.appops android.permission.GET_APP_OPS_STATS
3. Open AppOps, find the Google Play Store.
4. In the permissions list, disable Install packages and Request install packages.

Risks of using third-party tools:

• 🚨 Blocking your Google account – if you use Lucky Patcher to modify paid apps.
• 🔧 Unstable work MIUI — Disabling critical system components can lead to “offs” of the interface.
• 🛡️ Security vulnerabilities – without updates, system applications remain immune to new viruses.

⚠️ Note: If you use banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff, VTB), disabling updates can lead to access blocking – many banks require the latest version of the software for security.

💡

Third-party tools like Lucky Patcher or Package Disabler can disrupt Google Play Protect, making your smartphone vulnerable to malware.

What to do if nothing helps

If you’ve tried all the ways but the apps are still being updated, the problem may be:

• 🔄 Background services MIUI — Some processes (e.g. com.miui.systemAdSolution) may ignore the limitations of the.
• 📱 Firmware with modifications - custom assemblies MIUI (For example, Xiaomi.eu sometimes contains its own update mechanisms.
• 🔒 Administrator policy of the device - if the smartphone is managed through MDM (For example, on a work phone, updates can be forced on by the administrator.

Extreme measures:

1. Resetting to factory settings will return all settings to default, but delete all data.
2. Installing custom firmware, such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience, which does not have built-in Xiaomi services, requires unlocking the bootloader and experience.
3. Disconnect the Internet for specific applications via NetGuard or the built-in MIUI firewall (Settings → Network and Internet → Firewall).

If you decide on a custom firmware, consider:

• ✅ Pros: full control of the system, no forced updates.
• ❌ Cons: loss of warranty, risk of “bricking” the device, lack of some functions MIUI (Second Space or Game Turbo).

FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling updates on Xiaomi