How to Block Android From Installing System Updates?
I’ve already talked about this and will repeat it: it’s important to keep your devices up to date. Even though I admit that there are a few exceptions to this rule. If Microsoft just released a huge Windows update, you can wait a few days in case something goes wrong . If you have a very old smartphone and are being asked to update its operating system to the latest version, consider doing a little research to make sure it doesn’t affect the performance of your device.
But postpone all device updates because you’re worried about what they might do to your hardware? Not sure if I like this idea, but this is what Valerie, a reader of Lifehacker, sent me in the Tech 911 advice column this week:
“I have a Samsung galaxy for less than a year.
I despise all updates that are automatically performed on the phone.
My questions are … 1. Is there a way to undo the updates already done and 2. Is there a way to stop automatic updates from running in the future?
I called Verizon and I got a call from Samsung. The Samsung rep I spoke to was quite condescending and told me that there is no way to stop the updates. He told me: “Try it, you will like it.”
In the advanced world of technology … I think if they can put updates on the phone, there must be a way to cancel them or stop them. “
I can hear where you are from. Getting an update for your device can be frustrating and feel like you’re in unfamiliar territory, especially if your device manufacturer has made sweeping changes to their operating system. Every time Apple launches a new version of iOS every year – I use my iPhone as my primary carry device – I always feel like I have to work a little bit to figure out everything that’s new: fun features, subtle changes, customized gestures, etc. D.
Does this stop me from updating to a new firmware? Never. It’s just a process I’ve adopted, a learning curve that will vary in duration for everyone, depending on how often you use your device and how quickly you learn new concepts and workflows. There is no shame in feeling depressed or even outright hostile to change. It’s human.
I haven’t answered your actual question yet, because I want to emphasize one more fact: device updates are not only new features. They also work to fix errors in previously broken settings, or more importantly, patch vulnerabilities to make you and your data more secure. For this reason, first of all, I would like to warn you to keep getting updates for your smartphone – regardless of the cost.
Consider the future of Android Q especially for you. As Florence Ion wrote to us back in May:
“Google has announced that Android Q will bring about 50 security and privacy-related features. We won’t know the extent of these changes until Android Q is available to everyone. However, Google has hinted at some options that you’ll be able to access in the Android settings panel, including a new central privacy section with tons of settings to control which apps and services have access to your data. There will also be a new permission option that will allow you to choose how and when data and other elements are sent to Google and other third-party applications. “
In addition to this, Android Q will make it much easier for manufacturers to deploy over-the-air updates to fix any issues they find with 14 different (critical) modules found in the Android operating system. You don’t even have to reboot your device to get them; they just update and that’s it. However, you need Android Q to take advantage of this feature. Google has no plans to roll it out to older OS versions.
Blocking Android System Updates
I hope I have convinced you of the importance of updating your Android device. If not, then I can at least answer your question – as much as it hurts me.
To block Android updates, I would recommend exploring three options. First, open the Software Update screen – via Settings> Software Update – to see if there are any settings that can be removed from the automatic download of software updates. (I don’t have a Galaxy device in front of me, otherwise I would take a screenshot for you.)
You may need a little more to make sure your device doesn’t download or install updates without your explicit permission. There is another setting you can toggle to turn off automatic system updates, but it’s a little buried. Open Settings again and scroll down until you see the About Phone section. Click on this. Then click on the Software Information section and scroll down until you see Build Number . Tap this section until your device says you’ve turned on Developer Mode.
Then go back to the main settings screen and scroll down. You should see a new Developer Options section next to About Phone. Click on it and then look for the ” Automatic System Updates ” option. Make sure it’s not turned on.
This should prevent your phone from receiving automatic updates. But to be super super confident, you can also purchase and download the Package Disabler Pro app. You then use this to disable your device’s software update feature, which will permanently keep the current version of your operating system.
As for the part of your question about downgrading to an older version of your smartphone’s OS, it is certainly possible, but it requires significant effort and technical know-how that I would not recommend for the average user. This includes downgrading your device’s bootloader version, if at all possible, and installing an older version of your device’s OS (if your manufacturer even makes them available / you can find one). As Jerry Hildenbrand of Android Central said:
“Sometimes the hacks used to flash software onto your Android model are simple and not too hard to get right. But that’s not always the case, and you’ll usually see a few people explaining how they screwed up their phone when things got worse.
I’m not trying to dissuade you from doing this, but you should be aware that the five minutes it takes to roll back your phone to an older version can take hours of reading as a prerequisite. “
My advice? Get hold of what you have now and turn off device updates in the future – if you really need to. For your safety, I would not go down this route anyway, but I understand if you want to block the functions of your device in time.