Turning off Automatic Updates on Your Android Device: Here is How

A lot of us have our apps automatically updated whenever our smartphones connect to a data connection. While that is convenient for us because we do not have to put in any separate effort, it can also be disadvantageous in cases when you do not want to use the updated version.

If you have switched on the option for automatic updates, the updates take place almost as soon as they become available.

Having control over what gets installed and updated on your smartphone is essential. You may have heard bad reviews about the buggy update or just simply like the older version better; either way, having to use the automatically updated app can turn out to be a headache. You could also want to conserve your mobile data for some other purpose.

Even though newer versions are popular, you have to keep in mind that there is no way of reverting back to an older version once you have updated the app.

However, you will be pleased to know that a simple change in settings can prevent your apps from getting automatically updated in the future. Be in control of your own phone.

How do you do it?

The method is simple.

You should first open the Play Store app from where you can unsubscribe from the updates. There is a slide-out menu available sideways represented by three horizontal lines. Open the Settings option and click on the Auto-update option for apps.

A new screen will appear where you will be able to choose how you want to update your apps. You can activate an option where you will receive automatic app updates only when your phone is connected to only the Wi-Fi, only mobile data or not at all. In the last case, you have to manually install all updates.

Click on the option, “Do not auto-update apps” if you do not like automatic updates in any form.

• Once you make your choice, you will be redirected to the Google Play Settings screen.
• You can go back to your Home Screen reassured that your favorite version of a game will not just disappear suddenly.
• To manually download app updates when you are finally ready for the change, you should again visit the slide-out menu in the Play Store app.
• You will find that there is a list called My Apps, which names all the apps you have on your phone.
• The Installed screen will show the ones you have downloaded.
• The Updates subheading will list all the apps, which have available updates.
• You can use the, ‘Update All’ button to update them altogether.

On the other hand, if you are looking to update one particular app, you can click on that name and then on the Update option that appears on the screen. You can also search its name in the search box and use the Update option available on the page of the app.

Since our smartphones are a valuable part of our lives, wanting to be in charge of them in natural. So say farewell to automatic updates.