How to completely ban the update of applications on Xiaomi: all the ways 2026

Automatic app updates on Xiaomi smartphones can be annoying: they eat up traffic, drain the battery and sometimes break programs after an update. This is especially true for users with limited Internet or those who prefer to control each installation manually. Fortunately, there are several ways to completely ban updates - both through standard MIUI settings and using hidden Android features.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current methods, from simply disabling auto-updates in Google Play to blocking through ADB (for advanced users), and find out why some apps update themselves even after a ban, and how to deal with it. All the instructions are tested on the latest versions of MIUI 14/15 and work on Redmi, POCO, Xiaomi and Black Shark models.

Why is Xiaomi forced to update apps?

The manufacturer and Google are interested in making sure that your programs are always relevant.

• 🔒 Security: New versions close vulnerabilities that viruses or hackers can exploit.
• 📱 Compatibility: Fresh apps work better with the latest versions of Android and MIUI.
• 💰 Monetization: Some programs (such as Mi Browser or GetApps) are updated to show new ads.
• 📊 Xiaomi and Google Collect Data on Which Versions of Software Users Use.

However, forced updates often cause more problems than good.

• 📉 New versions can slow down on weak smartphones (for example, Redmi). 9A or POCO M3).
• 🔄 Updates reset settings or remove familiar features (as it was with Mi Music in 2023).
• 📶 Auto updates eat up traffic in the background, even if you’re connected to the mobile internet.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling updates for system applications (e.g. com.miui.home or com.android.systemui) can cause your smartphone to run in an unstable way.

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 ban updates completely, but will give you control over the process.

Instructions:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Slip on the profile avatar in the upper right corner.
3. Select Settings → Network Settings → Auto-Update Applications.
4. Set the value of Do not update automatically.

For reliability, also turn off the background activity of the Play Store:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Google Play Store and select the Battery.
3. Activate Background Limitation.

Is the Play Store updated itself (version in Settings → About the program)

Is data sync disabled for the Play Store (Settings → Accounts → Google)

Are there any notifications for forced updates (e.g. for Mi Security)

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This works for most applications, but does not block system software updates (such as Mi Video or Mi Browser).

Method 2: Block Updates with MIUI Optimizing

MIUI has a hidden Optimizing feature that allows you to prevent changes to individual applications, which works even for system programs, but requires accuracy.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app that should not be updated (e.g. Mi Browser).
3. Slip on the three dots in the top corner and select Optimization.
4. Turn off the Auto Update slider (if any).
5. Activate Prohibit Changes (some versions of MIUI call this Freeze).

For Xiaomi and Redmi on MIUI 14/15, the path may be different:

Settings → Memory → Cleanup → Optimization → [Select App] → Ban Updates

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI After blocking through Optimizing, the application may stop opening.

Method 3: Removing updates for system applications

If the app is already updated and you need an older version, you can roll it back to factory status, which will work for pre-installed programs (for example, Mi Calculator or Mi File Manager).

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (such as Mi Browser).
3. Slip on the three dots in the top corner and select Remove Updates.
4. Confirm the action.

After that:

• 🔄 The app will return to the version that was when buying a smartphone.
• 🔒 Auto Updates will be temporarily blocked (until the next manual update).
• ⚠️ Some features may stop working (e.g., older versions of Mi Video don’t support new formats).

This method does not guarantee full blocking of updates, but allows you to return the working version of the program if the new update is problematic.

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Method 4: Using third-party launchers and stores

If you want to get rid of Xiaomi system app updates, you can replace them with alternatives from other sources.

• 🌐 Instead of Mi Browser, Google Chrome, Firefox or Brave.
• 📁 Mi File Manager: Solid Explorer FX File Explorer.
• 🎵 Instead of Mi Music, Poweramp, VLC or Spotify.
• 📷 Instead of Mi Gallery, Google Photos or Simple Gallery.

Advantages of this approach:

• ✅ You have full control over updates (you can disable them in the alternative store settings).
• ✅ No forced updates from Xiaomi.
• ✅ Often, alternative programs are faster and have more functions.

How to identify alternatives:

1. Download the.apk file of the desired application from a trusted source (for example, APKMirror).
2. Allow installation from unknown sources: Settings → Applications → Special Permissions → Installation of unknown applications.
3. Install.apk and disable the original Xiaomi app (if possible).

⚠️ Warning: Removing or disabling system applications MIUI This can lead to errors in the smartphone, especially if they are associated with services Google or Xiaomi. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

Method 5: Blocking updates via ADB (for advanced)

If previous methods have failed, you can force the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) updates to be banned, which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and basic command line knowledge.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging on your smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times until the message “You became a developer”) Settings → Additional → For developers → Debugging on USB (enable)
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed.)

adb shell pm list packages -f | grep 'package:'

(This command will show you a list of all packages installed. Find the name of the app you want to block, such as com.android.vending for the Google Play Store.)

To prevent updates for a particular application, do:

adb shell dumpsys package com.mid.applications | grep "installer PackageName"

(Replace com.mid.applications with real packet ID.)

If the app is updated through Google Play, use:

adb shell pm install --user 0 --existing-package-name com.mid.applications

To completely block system application updates (only for power users!):

adb shell pm hide com.mid.applications

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Do not block critical services (e.g. com.android.phone or com.miui.securitycenter).

💡

Before working with ADB, create a restore point in TWRP (if you have an unlocked bootloader) to help restore the smartphone in case of an error.

The only way to completely ban system app updates on Xiaomi is to disable Google Play Services for a specific package via ADB. However, once you reset your settings or update MIUI, the lock will be removed.

What if the app is updated on its own?

Sometimes, even after all the manipulation, the applications keep updating, and this can happen because:

• 🔄 Google Play Services or Mi Push Service).
• 📥 Hidden updates via GetApps (branded store Xiaomi).
• 🔧 Manufacturer policies (some applications, such as Mi Security, are forced to update).

How to fight:

1. Disable GetApps: Settings → Apps → Management → GetApps → Disable

💡

If the app is updated through GetApps, even blocking Google Play won't help.

If nothing works, there are two options:

1. Install custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience).
2. Use the Xposed Framework with the NoAutoUpdate module (requires an unlocked bootloader).

FAQ: Frequent questions about blocking updates on Xiaomi