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

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO regularly update installed applications through the Google Play Market and the GetApps store. For most users, this is convenient - programs get new features and fixes for vulnerabilities. But what if automatic updates drain the battery, eat up traffic or break the functionality of the software? In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to disable application updates on Xiaomi in 2026, including hidden MIUI settings and commands for power users.

This is especially true for owners of devices with limited memory (e.g. Redmi 9A or POCO C31) where every megabyte is in the account, and some applications after the update start to work unstable or require new permissions, and we will look at solutions for both standard users and those who are willing to use ADB or edit system files.

Why is Xiaomi forced to update apps?

The manufacturer and Google have several goals:

• 🔒 Security – Closing vulnerabilities in outdated versions of applications.
• 📱 Compatibility – adapting software to new versions MIUI Android.
• 💰 Monetization – Some updates add ads or paid features.
• 📊 Analytics – collecting data on user behavior through new versions of the software.

But forced updates are often a source of frustration, such as the Mi Browser or Mi Video updates, which may result in unnecessary tabs with ads, and Google Play Services is starting to use up more battery power, and fortunately, there are ways to control that.

Method 1: Disabling Auto Update in Google Play Market

The easiest method is to configure Google Play so that it doesn't update apps without your knowledge. This works for all apps downloaded through the official store.

1. Open the Google Play Market.
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 individual applications, you can prohibit updates selectively:

1. Find the app on Google Play.
2. Click on three dots in the corner → Remove from auto-update.

⚠️ Note: This method does not block updates to Xiaomi system applications (such as Mi Security or Themes.

Is Google Play open under your account?

Selected the item "Do not update automatically"?

Are individual apps checked for auto-update?

Is data synchronization disabled in the background?

-->

Method 2: Block updates via MIUI Optimizing

MIUI has a hidden MIUI Optimizing tool in its firmware that allows you to jam background processes, including updates, which works on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices with MIUI 12-14.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on three dots in the corner → Special access → Optimization MIUI.
3. Find Google Play Market, GetApps and Download Manager.
4. Choose to limit each of them.

After that, the background update processes will be suspended, but note that this method may affect other functions associated with downloads.

💡

If push notifications stop working after MIUI Optimizing is restricted, return the settings for Google Play Services to their original state.

Method 3: Use ADB to disable updates completely

For advanced users, there's a radical method of disabling updates via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting a smartphone to a computer, but gives 100% results.

Steps:

1. Turn on the Developer Mode on your smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times).
2. Activate Debugging by USB in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.vending


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

These commands disable Google Play Market and GetApps for the current user. To get it back, use:

adb shell pm enable com.android.vending


adb shell pm enable com.xiaomi.mipicks

⚠️ Note: Once you disable Google Play Market, you will not be able to install or update apps through it (APK-files) or return settings.

Method 4: Removing System Application Updates

Some Xiaomi system applications (e.g. Mi Browser, Mi Video, Security) are updated via Google Play or GetApps, but can be rolled back to the factory version.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application (for example, the browser).
3. Tap it on three points. → Remove updates.

After that, the app will return to the version that was installed out of the box to block further updates:

• 🔧 In Google Play, find this app and uncheck the auto-update.
• 📵 Turn off the Internet for the application in Settings → Annexes → [Name] → Mobile data and Wi-Fi.

This method is not suitable for Google Play Services and other critical services – their rollback can lead to unstable system operation.

Method 5: Firewall blocking or traffic restriction

If previous methods failed, you can block access to update servers at the network level, such as firewall applications (such as NetGuard or AFWall+) or embedded MIUI tools.

Instructions for NetGuard:

1. Install NetGuard from F-Droid (free ad-free version).
2. Open the app and find it in the list of Google Play Market and GetApps.
3. Turn off Wi-Fi and Mobile Data for them.
4. Activate the firewall (the shield icon at the top).

Alternatively, limit background traffic in MIUI settings:

1. Settings → Connections and Sharing → Data Use.
2. Select Google Play Market → Background data → Disable.
3. Repeat for GetApps and Download Manager.

⚠️ Blocking Google Play Services through a firewall will lead to errors in the work of many applications, including Gmail, YouTube and Google Maps.

💡

Firewalls are the most reliable way to block updates, but require manual configuration and can conflict with VPNs or antiviruses.

What to do if the updates are still going on?

If none of the methods worked, check the following points:

• 🔄 Cash and data: Clear the cache of Google Play Market and GetApps in Settings → Annexes.
• 📱 Update MIUI: After a major firmware update, the settings may reset.
• 🔧 Superuser Rights: On rooted devices, use Titanium Backup to “freeze” unnecessary updates.
• 🛡️ Antivirus: Some antiviruses (e.g. Avast) have built-in software update modules – disable them.

If the problem persists, you may have an enterprise policy activated on your device (e.g., through the Mi Account for corporate users), in which case updates can bypass standard settings, the solution is to reset your phone to factory settings or turn to Xiaomi for support.

FAQ: Frequent questions about updates on Xiaomi