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Android

How to Disable Automatic App Updates on Google Play Store

You can stop Google Play from updating apps automatically for all apps at once, or keep auto-update on and switch it off for just one app. Updates then wait until you install them yourself.

Updated
Time
2 minutes
Difficulty
Easy
Applies to
Android

By Published Oct 6, 2026

Quick answer

  1. 1 Open Play Store, tap your profile picture > Settings.
  2. 2 Tap Network preferences > Auto-update apps.
  3. 3 Choose Don’t auto-update apps and tap Done.
  4. 4 For one app only: open its Play Store page, tap ⋮ and untick Enable auto update.
On this page
  1. Before you start
  2. Turn off auto-updates for all apps
  3. Turn off auto-updates for one app
  4. Update apps manually
  5. Troubleshooting
  6. Frequently asked questions

Before you start

  • The Google Play Store app

Method 1 Turn off auto-updates for all apps

Prefer to save mobile data but keep updates? Choose Over Wi-Fi only instead.

  1. Step 1: Open Play Store settings

    Open the Google Play Store, tap your profile picture at the top right and choose Settings.

  2. Step 2: Open Network preferences

    Tap Network preferences to expand it.

  3. Step 3: Change Auto-update apps

    Tap Auto-update apps, choose Don’t auto-update apps and tap Done.

Method 2 Turn off auto-updates for one app

Useful when a new version of one app causes problems, while all your other apps keep updating safely.

  1. Step 1: Open the app’s page

    Search for the app in the Play Store and open its page.

  2. Step 2: Untick auto update

    Tap the three dots (⋮) at the top right and untick Enable auto update.

Method 3 Update apps manually

  1. Step 1: Open Manage apps

    Tap your profile picture > Manage apps & device.

  2. Step 2: See available updates

    Tap Updates available to see which apps have new versions and what changed.

  3. Step 3: Update

    Tap Update next to an app, or Update all.

Troubleshooting

Apps still update by themselves

Check the Galaxy Store or your phone maker’s app store as well. Google Play system updates and some preinstalled Google components update separately for security.

I don’t see Network preferences

Update the Play Store: Settings > About > Play Store version, then tap Update Play Store.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to turn off automatic updates?

It’s safe if you update manually and regularly. Leaving apps out of date for months exposes you to known security bugs.

Can I go back to an older version of an app?

For preinstalled apps, open Settings > Apps > [app] > ⋮ > Uninstall updates. For other apps, the Play Store only offers the latest version.

Does turning off auto-update save mobile data?

Yes. Choosing Over Wi-Fi only keeps updates coming without using mobile data.

Summary

To stop all automatic updates, go to Play Store > profile > Settings > Network preferences > Auto-update apps > Don’t auto-update apps. For a single app, untick Enable auto update on its page, and remember to update manually now and then.

Sources

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Written by

James Chambo

Founder

James is the Founder and Senior Editor of OnlineHow with more than 20 years of experience in internet publishing.