How can I disable or enable automatic application updates on my smartphone?

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If the automatic update feature is enabled, your applications get updated without you being asked, so you may not realise that large volumes of data are being downloaded. To avoid potentially high data transfer costs, you can disable the automatic update feature. You have to disable the automatic update feature in the Play Store app, the Software update feature and the What's New app (where available) to avoid the automatic updating of apps.

Managing automatic updates in Play Store

Android™ 4.0 or higher

To disable or enable automatic updates for all applications at once in Play Store:

1. From your Home screen, tap the Application screen icon.
2. Find and tap Play Store.
3. Drag the left edge of the screen to the right, then find and tap Settings.
4. Tap Network preferences → Tap Auto-update apps and select the relevant option, then tap Settings.

Tip: You can select the Auto-update apps over Wi-Fi only option if you want to avoid mobile data charges.

Managing automatic updates in Software update

Android 10 or higher

To disable or enable automatic updates of applications in Software update:

1. Find and tap Settings → System → Advanced  → Software update → menu button (three vertical dots) → Settings.
2. Tap Auto-update apps and select the relevant option.

Tip: You can select the Wi-Fi only option if you want to avoid mobile data charges.

Android 9.0

To disable or enable automatic updates of applications in Software update:

1. Find and tap Settings → System → Advanced  → Software update → menu button (three vertical dots) → Settings.
2. Tap Auto-update apps and select the relevant option.

Tip: You can select the Wi-Fi only option if you want to avoid mobile data charges.

Android 8.0

To disable or enable automatic updates of applications in Software update:

1. Find and tap Settings → System → Software update → menu button (three vertical dots) → Settings.
2. Tap Auto-update apps and select the relevant option.

Tip: You can select the Wi-Fi only option if you want to avoid mobile data charges.

Android 7.x

To disable or enable automatic updates of applications in Software update:

1. From your Home screen, tap the Application screen icon.
2. Find and tap Settings → About phone/tablet → Software update → menu button (three vertical dots) → Settings.
3. Tap Auto-update apps and select the relevant option.

Tip: You can select the Wi-Fi only option if you want to avoid mobile data charges.

Managing automatic updates in What's New

To disable or enable automatic updates for all applications at once in What's New:

1. From your Home screen, tap the Application screen icon.
2. Find and tap What's New.
3. Drag the left edge of the screen to the right, then find and tap Settings.
4. Tap Auto-update apps and select the relevant option.

Tip: You can select the Wi-Fi only option if you want to avoid mobile data charges.

NOTE: For 2018 models onwards, the What's New app is not available.