How to permanently remove auto-update applications on Xiaomi: a step-by-step guide

Automatic app updates on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones are convenient for most users, but not for everyone. If you notice that mobile traffic suddenly ends and the battery goes down faster than usual, the reason for this may be background updates to programs through Google Play or the GetApps brand store.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can disable auto-updates, from standard Google Play settings to hidden MIUI options that the manufacturer doesn’t advertise. You’ll learn how to block updates for individual apps, completely stop the background activity of stores, and even limit their work through network settings. The instructions are relevant for all modern firmware versions: MIUI 12, 13 and 14 based on Android 10-14.

Why Auto-Update Apps on Xiaomi Can Be Harmful

At first glance, automatic updates seem to be a harmless feature: newer versions of programs often contain bug fixes and security improvements.

• 📉 Uncontrolled traffic: Updates can eat up to a few gigabytes a month, especially if you have a lot of games or social media installed.
• 🔋 Accelerated battery discharge. Background download updates activate processor and module Wi-Fi/4G, which increases energy consumption.
• 📱 Newer versions of apps often weigh more than old ones, and on budget Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A Redmi Note 10: Every megabyte counts.
• 🔄 Instable software: Sometimes updates contain bugs that break the usual functionality (for example, a modified interface or remote functions).

What’s more, on Xiaomi devices, auto updates can run not only through Google Play, but also through the branded GetApps store, which often ignores the restrictions set in Android settings. This means that even if you disable updates in the Play Market, they can still download in the background.

Method 1: Disabling Auto Updates in Google Play

The most obvious and universal method is to configure the Google Play Store settings, which works on all Xiaomi smartphones, regardless of the MIUI version, since the Google App Store does not depend on the manufacturer’s firmware.

To disable automatic updates:

1. Open the Google Play Store app.
2. Slip on the profile avatar in the upper right corner.
3. Select the Settings item.
4. Go to Network Settings → Auto-Update Applications.
5. Select the option Do not update applications automatically.

If you want to leave auto-updates but only via Wi-Fi, select the appropriate option. However, note that even in this case, Google Play can ignore the restrictions if the device activates Traffic Saving mode in the MIUI settings.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g, POCO X3 Pro or Redmi Note 11 after the update MIUI Google Play settings may be reset. Check them after each major system update.

Method 2: Block updates via GetApps (branded Xiaomi store)

Many users forget that on Xiaomi smartphones, in addition to Google Play, there is another source of automatic updates - the GetApps brand store (formerly known as the Mi App Store), which often updates system applications (for example, Mi Video, Mi Browser or Security) without your knowledge.

To disable auto updates in GetApps:

1. Open the GetApps app (an icon with a blue package and a white arrow).
2. Go to Profile → Settings (cog icon in the upper right corner).
3. Select Auto Update of Applications.
4. Turn off the automatic update slider.
5. For reliability, also disable the option of Update over Wi-Fi.

If your GetApps version doesn’t have these settings (like MIUI 14 for global firmware), try an alternative method:

• 🛑 Remove updates for GetApps via Settings → Annexes → Application management → GetApps → Remove updates.
• 🔒 Block background activity in battery settings: Settings → Battery → Choice of applications → GetApps → Limit background activity.

Method 3: Limit background activity through MIUI settings

MIUI firmware is known for aggressive battery optimization, but this feature can be used to your advantage: If you turn off background activity for Google Play and GetApps, they will not be able to download updates without your knowledge.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Application Selection.
2. Find the Google Play Store and GetApps list.
3. For each of them, select the mode Limit background activity.
4. Additionally, disable the AutoRun option (if available).

This method not only blocks auto-updates, but also reduces battery consumption as app stores stop working in the background.

• 🔔 Notifications of new versions of applications may be delayed.
• 🔄 For manual updates will have to temporarily remove restrictions.

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If Google Play stopped working correctly after limiting background activity, add it to the battery optimization exceptions: Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization → All Apps → Google Play Store → No Limits.

Method 4: Blocking Internet access for app stores

The most radical, but also the most reliable way is to completely disable network access for Google Play and GetApps, which is guaranteed to stop any auto-updates, but will require manual access control when you need to update apps.

This can be done in two ways:

Option 1: Through MIUI settings (no root)

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Transfer of data.
2. Select the Use of Data by Applications.
3. Find Google Play Store and GetApps, disable Background data and Data Transfer for them.

Option 2: Firewall (requires third-party software installation)

If standard tools are not enough, install a firewall application, such as NetGuard or Mobizen:

1. Download and install the firewall from Google Play.
2. Give them VPN rights (this is necessary to filter traffic).
3. In the list of applications, find the Google Play Store and GetApps.
4. Turn off Wi-Fi and mobile data for them.

⚠️ Attention: Blocking internet access for Google Play Services may disrupt other apps, such as Gmail or YouTube.Block only Google Play Store and GetApps!

Method 5: Disabling Auto-Updates for Individual Applications

If you don’t want to block auto-updates completely, but want to exclude certain programs (such as games or social networks) from this process, you can do it selectively.

For Google Play:

1. Open the Google Play Store and find the app you need.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner of the app card.
3. Uncheck the checkmark from Auto Update.

For GetApps:

1. Open GetApps and go to Management → My Apps.
2. Find an app that doesn’t need to be updated automatically.
3. Click on the three dots next to it and select Disable Auto Update.

This method is convenient if you want to:

• 🎮 Keep the old version of the game with saves.
• 📱 Leave a working version of the system application (for example, Mi Browser or Mi Music).
• 🔒 Avoid updates that remove useful features (such as WhatsApp or Telegram).

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Selectively disabling auto updates is the best option for those who want to control only individual apps without blocking updates completely.

Next Post:How to Prevent “Hidden” Updates

Even after disabling all auto-update settings, some apps on Xiaomi can be updated bypassing.

• 🤖 System services (e.g. Google Play Services or Mi Push Service).
• 📦 Pre-installed applications (Xiaomi sometimes enforces updates through the OTA).
• 🔄 Resetting settings after updating MIUI.

To get the situation under control:

1. Turn off automatic download of system applications: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times to turn on developer mode) → Additional settings → Auto-update system applications → Disable
2. Freeze unnecessary system applications with ADB (requires PC): adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicks (replace com.xiaomi.mipicks with the batch name of the unnecessary application).
3. Use alternative stores like APKMirror or Aptoide, where updates are manually installed.

If you don’t want to go into technical details, check the settings of Google Play and GetApps regularly after the MIUI updates – they tend to reset.

Frequently asked questions