Google Play gives you four network-wide choices for app updates: use Wi-Fi or mobile data, limit mobile-data use, update only over Wi-Fi, or turn off automatic updates. You can also manage one app separately or install updates manually.
Choose how apps update
Pick the option that fits how much control you want over downloads and when they happen. Google lists all four choices in its Google Play app-update help.
| Setting | What happens | Practical effect |
| Wi-Fi or mobile data | Apps update automatically over either connection. | Updates can use mobile data. |
| Limited mobile data | Apps update automatically, with mobile-data use limited. | You can allow some updates without requiring Wi-Fi every time. |
| Wi-Fi only | Apps update automatically over Wi-Fi. | Automatic downloads wait for Wi-Fi instead of using mobile data. |
| Don’t auto-update apps | Apps don’t update automatically. | You choose when to check for and install updates. |
The limited-data choice does not specify a particular allowance. Choose Wi-Fi only if you want automatic updates without mobile-data downloads; choose no automatic updates if you want to decide when to install them yourself.
Change the setting for all apps
Android Police describes this route to the network-wide setting:
- Open the Google Play Store and tap your profile icon. This opens the account menu.
- Tap Settings. This takes you to Play Store preferences.
- Tap Network preferences, then Auto-update apps. This opens the four update choices.
- Select the option you want. The setting applies across your apps.
Set automatic updates for one app
Android Police also describes a separate app-level control. It lets you change automatic updates for a selected app without changing the network-wide preference:
- In the Play Store, tap your profile icon, then Manage apps & device.
- Tap Manage and select the app.
- Open the app’s details page and tap the three-dot menu.
- Turn Enable auto-update on or off.
Turning off automatic updates does not guarantee that the installed version will keep working. An older version may become incompatible or stop working, according to Android Police.
Check for app updates yourself
To review available updates, open the Play Store, tap your profile icon, then Manage apps & device. From there, update apps individually or choose Update all. If you turn off automatic updates, you’ll need to return to this screen to install updates yourself.
Find the separate Google Play system update
The Google Play system update is a different control from automatic Play Store app updates. In its Android 13 walkthrough, TechBone gives this route: open Android Settings, then go to Security & privacy > Updates > Google Play system update > Check for updates. Changing this setting does not change the Play Store’s app-update preference.
