A bona fide developer would always update his apps made for your Android device. But sometimes, you get irritated by the automatic app updates on your Android smartphone. You are furious probably because the app doesn’t ask your permission to get updated.
In any case, you want to stop that automatic app updates. There is a workaround for this challenge and it is quite easy for you to follow a few simple steps on your Android smartphone.
There is no noticeable advantage or disadvantage of stopping automatic app updates; however, it can give you some relief from unnecessary updates while you are using a particular app.
How to Turn Off Automatic App Updates On Your Android Device
Following method will work on both Lollipop and Marshmallow versions of Android.
Step #1: First off, open the Play Store on your Android smartphone.
Step #2: Now tap on the Hamburger buttons on the top left (you will notice Google Play written in the search bar).
Step #3: A menu will appear from the left of your screen with your profile photo.
Step #4: Scroll down and tap on Settings.
Step #5: You will see four sections: GENERAL, NOTIFICATIONS, USER CONTROLS & ABOUT.
Note that all Android smartphones may not have such sections.
Step #6: Under the GENERAL, tap on Auto-update apps.
Again you will see three radio buttons: Do not auto-update apps, Auto-update apps at any time, and Auto-update apps over Wi-Fi only.
You must have selected the last option to save mobile data.
Step #7: Now tap on the first radio button, i.e. Do not auto-update apps.
It’s done! Your Android phone will not auto-update apps.
You can simply choose to receive notifications when new updates are available. Under the NOTIFICATIONS section, uncheck the option of Apps were auto-updated. Make sure that App updates available option is checked, because it will notify you when app updates are available.
Android OS also allows you to enable or disable auto-update option on a particular app.
How to Disable Auto-Update Option for Particular App in Android
Step #1: Launch Google Play on your smartphone.
Step #2: Open any app (in Google Play) you have downloaded from My apps option.
Step #3: Tap on vertical ellipsis on the top right corner.
Step #4: Now check or uncheck the button to enable or disable auto-update option.
How to Disable Automatic App Updates on Your iPhone
Unlike Android, iOS doesn’t allow you to enable or disable auto-update option on a particular app. This means, you will have uniform effect of auto-update on all apps. Auto-update will work either on all apps or on none.
Step #1: Launch Settings app on your iPhone/iPad.
Step #2: Tap on iTunes & App Store.
Step #3: Toggle Updates OFF to disable auto-update on all apps.
How to Stop Automatic App Updates on Your Windows Phone 8.1
Like Android and iOS, Windows also provides you facility to auto-update apps on Wi-Fi or mobile data.
Step #1: Launch Store on your Windows phone.
Step #2: Tap on horizontal ellipsis on the bottom right corner.
Step #3: Tap on Settings.
Step #4: Tap on the button next Update apps automatically to turn it off.
You can avoid cellular data shock by turning on Only get updates over Wi-Fi.
Note that many apps are very essential for the better performance of your smartphone, and therefore, stopping auto-update of apps is not advisable.
You can now go ahead and disable the auto-update apps. After a couple of days, you can share your feedback on Facebook, Google Plus, and Twitter. I am sure you will enable auto-update apps.