Allow auto-update of only a single app

Question

Is it possible to auto-update selectively? For example, if I want to allow an anti-virus app to update, but no others. Can this be done? Android 4.0.4

score 13 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 09 '14 at 17:46

13

Yes, it's possible, but very time-consuming.

Open the Google Play Store, go to Menu -> Settings.
Tap on the "Auto-update apps" and select one of the two "Auto-update apps" options to enable it.
Go back, then go to "My apps" section, locate the app you want (e.g. anti-virus app that you mentioned) and tap on it once.
Now tap the Menu button and the first option should be the "Auto-update." Ensure the checkmark is present for this app.
For all other apps that you have installed, you will need to follow steps 3 and 4, but this time disable the "Auto-update" setting by unchecking it.

answered Jan 09 '14 at 17:46

Chahk

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Actually, from a preventative aspect, I would disable all non-wanted apps first, then set the global setting. Otherwise one or more updateable apps could change during the long manual process! – wbogacz Jan 09 '14 at 20:16
@wbogacz I don't think you can modify the per-app setting unless the global one is enabled first. – Chahk Jan 09 '14 at 20:23
fair enough, I didn't know the checkbox was restricted that way. – wbogacz Jan 09 '14 at 20:36
Actually for steps 4 and 5 there is bulk functionality provided by Titanium Backup app (Market Tools > Market Auto Updates). It's available in PRO (paid) version only. – Ilya Serbis Apr 12 '14 at 11:59
1

It doesn't work anymore. Now when clicking the menu button nothing happen. I cannot find other ways to achieve the same result. The "auto-update" tick seems to be completely removed. – Kamafeather Nov 14 '14 at 19:21
It worked for me now; Google Play vers 5.7.10 :) – Jako Aug 06 '15 at 19:03
@Kamafeather This works for me with Play Store version 7.9.80 – user276648 Jul 19 '17 at 03:44
@wbogacz I guess you can turn on airplane mode before. (Not tested.) – Sony Santos Nov 13 '18 at 09:50

score 9 · Answer 2 · answered Jan 09 '14 at 17:45

9

First turn on auto update in the main settings of the Play store. Then, you will have to manually open each app in the app store, and un-select auto-update. This will be a painful task, especially if you have more than a handful apps.

Tested on Play Store 4.5.10

answered Jan 09 '14 at 17:45

Zlatty

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Doesn't work anymore. Clicking the phone menu button will not open anything. The "auto-update" checkbox is nowhere now. – Kamafeather Nov 14 '14 at 19:38

score 2 · Answer 3 · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:18

2

If you don't want to root your phone, there's Play Apps Updater. I just installed it and it seems to work, although I can't vouch for it other than that.

Also note that this is a duplicate of How to enable Play Store auto-update for just a few apps?

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:18

Community

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answered Oct 25 '15 at 07:47

Ben Creasy

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Allow auto-update of only a single app

3 Answers3