Automatic app updates are one of those Android features that I appreciate until they happen at the worst possible moment. I don’t always want an app updating while I’m on mobile data, and I’d rather know when a regularly used app is about to change.
That’s why I started looking at Google Play’s auto-update settings. I don’t want to turn auto-update off completely. I want more control over when updates happen: which apps update automatically and which ones I’d prefer to update myself.
Google Play has options to manage this without installing another app or going through Android settings. I can pick a configuration that suits how I use my apps.
I like automatic updates, just not on Google’s schedule
I don’t want updates using my mobile data or changing apps unexpectedly
Automatic updates save me the stress of going into the Play Store every few weeks to check whether any of my apps have a new version. An update can add useful features, fix bugs, improve stability, and patch security holes.
The problem is that I don’t want every app to go live with the update as soon as it’s available.
An update could change an interface I’m used to, change a feature I depend on, or introduce a bug that wasn’t there in the version I was using. That doesn’t mean updates are bad; it just means I like having a bit more control.
Mobile data is another issue. When I’m not on Wi-Fi, I want to decide whether an app update is worth using up my mobile data.
A couple of small updates may not be a big deal, but if several apps update at once, it can add up.
I don’t have to turn off automatic updates to fix these problems. Google Play lets me choose if updates use mobile data, if apps update automatically, and which apps can update on their own.
I can choose when my apps update
Google Play lets me control automatic updates without another app
The first thing I looked at was Google Play’s network preference. That’s the easiest way to change how automatic updates work without opening each app and changing its settings.
To find it, I opened the Play Store, tapped my profile icon in the upper-right corner, and clicked Settings > Network preferences > Auto-update apps. Google Play offers several options for managing automatic updates, so I can choose how much control I want.
- Update all apps over Wi-Fi or mobile data: The easiest way to update apps automatically, regardless of your connection. The only downside is that they could potentially use your mobile data when you’re not on Wi-Fi.
- Update over Wi-Fi only: Turns on automatic updates without using mobile data. A good compromise if you want your apps to stay up to date but don’t want to worry about data usage.
- Update with limited amount of mobile data: Lets Google Play use only a limited amount of mobile data for updates. Useful if you don’t want to have to wait for Wi-Fi but still want to keep your data usage down.
- Don’t auto-update apps: Gives you full control over when the apps update. You can check for updates and install them when you want, but remember to do it regularly.
The best setting depends on how much control you want. If you mainly want to reduce mobile data usage, choose the Wi-Fi-only updates option. You can also turn off automatic updates for full control.
I don’t have to disable automatic updates for every app
I can choose which apps update automatically
I don’t have to treat every app the same way. Google Play lets me set auto-update preferences for individual apps.
This is convenient when I want some apps to update automatically but prefer to manually review others before they update.
To change that setting, I opened the Play Store, tapped my profile icon in the upper-right corner, clicked Manage apps & device > Manage. I selected the app I wanted to control, went to its details page, tapped the three-dot menu, and changed Enable auto-update.
This gives me a more focused approach. I can leave auto updates on for apps where security and reliability are paramount, and turn them off for the app where I’d prefer to review changes first.
Turning off auto updates for an app doesn’t mean it’s effectively frozen in time or that the version I have will keep working indefinitely.
Developers can change their app, and older versions will become incompatible or stop working. I’ll still look at those apps and update them when I need to.
I still need to keep my apps up to date
Turning off automatic updates doesn’t mean ignoring security fixes
Taking control of app updates isn’t the same as ignoring them. I’m not going to trade a bit of convenience for months of unpatched security updates.
I use Google Docs daily. I like to know when things change, especially when that change might affect how I work.
For example, I don’t want to open Google Docs one morning and find that the interface or a feature I’m using has changed while I’m writing an article.
I’d rather see big changes when I have time to adjust. That’s why I want to control when my apps update and which updates I install.
Convenience isn’t the only thing on my mind. Google Docs stores documents that may contain sensitive information, so I can’t ignore security updates because I like the version I have now.
Google Play Terms of Service page says that updating your apps keeps them secure and stable. Sometimes, Google will send important updates even if your settings don’t allow them, especially for serious security problems. That’s helpful in emergencies, but I still like to check for updates.
If you prefer to update your apps yourself, check for updates regularly. In the Play Store, tap your profile icon, go to Manage apps & device, and check for updates.
You can update each app individually or tap Update all. I don’t need to install every update as soon as it comes out, but I also shouldn’t be putting off critical security updates forever.
If an update fixes a known vulnerability or resolves the issue I’m having, there’s no point in delaying it.
Taking back control without risking my phone’s security
I don’t want to give every app the power to update at any time without thinking about whether I have a connection, whether I want it to happen, or what the update will do.
Google Play’s settings provide a simple way to get that balance. I can enable automatic updates over Wi-Fi, turn them off for individual apps, or manage everything manually if I want to.
I haven’t turned updates off. I’ve just decided which apps update automatically and which ones wait for me.
