How to completely disable the update of applications on Xiaomi Redmi: all ways

Why users want to ban updates on Redmi and what happens if they do

Automatic updates to apps on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are a feature that should make life easier, but often becomes a source of irritation. Users complain about the sudden disappearance of free space, battery drain in the background and even the inoperability of applications after updates. Especially relevant for owners of budget models of the Redmi Note 8/9/10 or POCO M3/M4 series, where memory is often limited to 64-128 GB.

What happens when you turn off updates? First, you get full control over the version of each application — no sudden changes to the interface or the disappearance of familiar features. Second, save traffic (relevant to Internet-limited tariffs) and extend the battery life. However, there is a downside: without updates, some programs may stop supporting current security protocols (for example, banking applications) or work with new versions of services (like YouTube or Google Maps).

In this article, we’ll look at all the working ways to disable updates, from standard MIUI settings to hidden commands for power users. Importantly, some methods require super-user or PC access, so evaluate your technical capabilities in advance.

Method 1: Disabling Auto Updates in Google Play

The easiest and most secure method is to set up a Google Play Store that automatically updates apps by default, which is suitable for all Redmi models (including Redmi 12/13, Note 11 Pro+, etc.), as it uses standard Android features.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open Google Play Store on your smartphone.
• 👤 Slip on the profile avatar in the upper right corner.
• ⚙️ Select Settings → Network settings → Auto-update of applications.
• 🚫 Set the value Do not update automatically.

This method disables background updates, but does not block manual updates. If you want to completely disable updates for specific applications (such as MIUI System Launcher or GetApps), move on to the next method.

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If Google Play continues to download updates after disabling auto updates, clear the app cache in the phone settings: Settings → Apps → App management → Google Play Store → Storage → Clear the cache.

Method 2: Blocking updates for individual applications

Some Xiaomi system applications (for example, Mi Video, Mi Browser or Security) are updated not through Google Play, but through the GetApps brand store. To prevent them from updating, you need to act through the MIUI settings.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the desired application (for example, GetApps) in the list and tap it.
3. In the top menu, select three points (⋮) → Turn off auto-update.
4. Confirm the action by clicking Disable.

For apps from Google Play:

• 📌 Open the application page in the Play Market.
• 🔄 Tap it on three points (⋮) Next to the button Update.
• ✅ Remove the tick from the item Enable auto-update.

Back up important data | Check the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone | Turn off mobile internet (if updates are coming through 4G) | Remember the Mi Account password (you will need to reset your settings)

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Method 3: Use ADB to disable updates completely

If previous methods have not worked (for example, on Redmi with custom firmware or POCO F3/F4), take advantage ADB-This requires you to connect your smartphone to your PC and enable debugging mode. USB.

Warning: Incorrect ADB commands may disrupt the system. Follow the instructions carefully.

Steps:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC, install it ADB-Drivers and open the command line in the folder with the platform-tools.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices (the name of your device should appear).
5. Disable auto-updates for all applications: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.vending/com.google.android.finsky.update.AutoUpdateActivity

To get it back, use the command:

adb shell pm enable com.android.vending/com.google.android.finsky.update.AutoUpdateActivity

Method 4: Disconnect via MIUI settings (for system applications)

The MIUI proprietary shell has hidden settings to block updates for pre-installed applications, a method that works on most Redmi and POCO devices with MIUI 12-14.

Instructions:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the search box, type the name of the system application (for example, Mi Community or Mi Pay).
• 🔄 Tap on the app. → Permits → Additionally.
• 🚫 Find the Update in the background and turn it off.
• 🔒 For reliability, also disable Auto Start and Background Activity.

This does not remove apps, but only freezes their current version. If you need to completely remove unnecessary software (such as Mi Music or Mi Video), root access or use ADB AppControl will be required.

System (Mi Browser, Security, etc.)|Google Services (Play Market, YouTube)|Social networks (Facebook, Instagram)|Games (PUBG, Genshin Impact)|Others-->

Method 5: Remove updates via Recovery (for power users)

If you use custom Recovery (like TWRP), you can manually delete update files that have already been downloaded but not installed, a method that is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
2. From the TWRP menu, select Advanced → File Manager.
3. Go to /data/app and find folders with names like com.android.vending-1 (Google Play) com.xiaomi.mipicks-1 (GetApps) com.miui.systemAdSolution-1 (advertising modules)

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Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: Deleting system files in Recovery may result in data loss or a cyclical phone reboot.Before actions, back up via TWRP → Backup.

What to do if updates are still installed?

If none of these methods worked, the problem may be:

If the problem persists, try resetting your network settings (Settings → Communication & Network → Network Reset) or performing a hard reset (with complete data cleanup).

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On devices with MIUI 14+ Some system applications (e.g., Mi Security) may be updated via OTA-To block this, turn off Automatic Update Download in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

FAQ: Frequent questions about blocking updates on Redmi