How to Stop an Android Software Update on Samsung Devices: A Comprehensive Guide

Android devices often receive automated updates, which can be a blessing for enhancing security and functionality. However, there may be situations where you wish to stop a software update. This guide will walk you through the steps to pause, disable, or:block an update on your Samsung device.

Steps to Pause or Cancel an Update

If your device is currently downloading an update, you have options to pause or cancel it. Here's how:

Pause the Update: Go to the Notifications panel to monitor the update process. Tap on the update notification. Look for an option to pause or cancel the download. If you see such an option, tap it.

Disable Automatic Updates

For future updates, you can disable automatic software updates on your Samsung device:

Go to the Settings menu. Scroll down and tap on Software update. Look for an option that says Auto download over Wi-Fi and toggle it off.

Clear Update Data

If the update has already downloaded, you can try clearing the update data to stop it from installing:

Go to Settings. Tap on Apps or Application Manager. Tap on the three dots menu in the upper right corner and select Show system apps. Find your Software update app and tap on it. Tap on Storage and then select Clear data.

Use Safe Mode to Prevent Installation

If an update is trying to install but you can't stop it, booting your device into Safe Mode can prevent it from installing:

To enter Safe Mode, press and hold the power button until the power menu appears. Tap and hold the Power off option until you see the option to reboot into Safe Mode. Confirm to enter Safe Mode. The device will restart, and the update installation should be blocked.

Uninstall Updates if Applicable

If you need to revert to a previous version of an app, you can uninstall the updates:

Go to Settings. Tap on Apps. Find the app and select Uninstall updates if that option is available.

Keep in mind that stopping a software update can leave your device vulnerable to security issues or bugs that the update was meant to fix.

Rooted Devices: Disabling Software Updates

Android devices update regardless of what you tell them to do, except for one thing: rooted phones. With Magisk now working on almost any Android phone, you can root your device and ignore the fact that it's rooted. Updates will start but they'll always fail.

Block Android Updates

I recommend exploring three options to block Android updates:

Check the Software Update screen (Settings > Software Update) for any settings that might prevent automatic downloads. Unfortunately, without a Galaxy device in front of me, I can't provide a screenshot, but there typically is some setting you can uncheck. Disable automatic system updates by following these steps: Go to Settings. Scroll down and tap on About phone. Tap on the Software Information section and scroll down to Build Number. Tap on the Build Number section repeatedly until your device says that you've enabled Developer mode. Welcome back to Lifehacker's weekly tech-advice column Tech 911. Follow these steps: Head back to the primary Settings screen and scroll down. Look for the "Developer options" section near "About phone," and tap on it. Scroll down until you see the Automatic system updates option and make sure it is not enabled.

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