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Play store update killing my data plan.

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lookimback

lookimback

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Is there a way to stop the Google Play Store from automatically updating itself? I don't want the latest version. I want 3.10.14. I have uninstalled the update 4 times already and it keeps sneakily updating itself. I say sneakily because I don't even know its downloading the update. I only know when I see my AV app telling me: T's scanning new software. The problem is that its killing my data plan. Any help is appreciated. Thanks. :)
 
lookimback said:
Is there a way to stop the Google Play Store from automatically updating itself? I don't want the latest version. I want 3.10.14. I have uninstalled the update 4 times already and it keeps sneakily updating itself. I say sneakily because I don't even know its downloading the update. I only know when I see my AV app telling me: T's scanning new software. The problem is that its killing my data plan. Any help is appreciated. Thanks. :)
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Open the Google Play store and then click the menu button on your Android device, then click the "settings" option.

Then untick the "Auto-update applications" option
 
I tried that already. It seems that the store thinks its somehow different from the apps it offers and thus can update itself even though other apps are not allowed to. For now I'm using System Tuner to freeze it but it is such a pain to have to defrost it every time I need it.
 
You can use an app like 3g watchdog to restrict the apps usage to WiFi or similar.

Alternatively, what Android version are you using? You should be able to restrict background data for that app via the data usage setting in wireless and networks if you're ICS or above.
 
You can do Settings > Applications > Manage > Google Play Store > Uninstall Updates, and it’ll revert back to whatever version your OS shipped with, but it’ll nag you from then on.
 
I do uninstall updates but it doesn't comprehend that that means I don't want the update. I never had this problem with the previous versions. I have ics so I'm going to see about restricting background data usage. I noticed that option earlier but didn't know what it was for. Thanks.:)
 
Google Play Store, if you use it, requires the most up-to-date version to function. reverting it back to the factory out-of-box version via 'uninstall updates' will just make it go through the first-run stuff (agree to terms, get offers from Play) and it will update before letting you download or install/update apps with it. this and the sneaky behind-the-scenes background data forced me to delete Play and install Amazon or some other market app. i've lost all patience with Play and no longer use it. as i recall, Play requires background data on all the time to work, too. Amazon does not. leaving Play active not only can eat your battery, but it also can chew through your internal storage. on one phone it had managed to build up a massive cache around 30+MB without me even using it.
 
With ICS and above, you can restrict background data to WiFi only.

My tab also uses an older version of Play just fine so not sure why you think it needs the most up to date version to function correctly?
 
testing on a Galaxy Tab 2 and a Fire with custom ROM, both tablets auto update before loading. if i go to settings-->uninstall updates, it will do it, but soon as i launch Play again it goes through the first-run EULA and such then loads. if i then go back to settings, it has the 'uninstall updates' button again. so the update is applied as it loads up, or is somehow stored locally and auto-applied before run.

the only exception to the rule is if you have an ancient Android running 2.2 or below that does not support Play, and runs the original Android Market
 
Nope, just tested on my Nexus 7 running AOKP. Was running 3.10.14, manually upgraded to the 4.x version, uninstalled the update, ran through the initial setup procedure again and it's reverted back to 3.10.14.

The latest version of Play is definitely not required for it to function correctly.
 
it was unavoidable for me, my Fire runs AOKP too. if i use Play, it seems to revert to the stock if i uninstall updates, but soon as i launch it again it's always replaced with the updated version all on its own soon as i pass through the first-run stuff. it does not offer me a choice. soon as Play actually loads, if i back out and go to settings, apps, play store, it shows 'uninstall updates' again. i removed Play from the Fire, and disabled it elsewhere as i no longer like it.

i have to uninstall updates on the Tab 2 in order to disable Play. if i re-enabled it right now, and launch it, it goes through first-run and then loads. back out, go to settings--application manager--google play store, it has 'uninstall updates' all over again. it never notifies of an update, it's almost as if it's updating locally, not from an actual download. almost as if the updated APK is self-installing or is stored on the memory and is applied after launch. i cannot use an older version on either device.
 
By the way..what is so bad about the new version? So the layout changed a bit.. big deal. Software changes over time. Unless there is a stability issue, why battle?
 
i don't like Play because ninety percent of the time i get one of the following errors:

1. [app name] could not be downloaded due to an error

2. 'stuck' downloads that never begin in notification area

3. app downloads, but displays 'insufficient storage available' (this is somewhat Play's fault in how it handles the apk file, seems the bar is set rather high for Play to be satisfied with the storage space. Amazon seems to work fine, and some alternative markets offer their own installer that bypasses such system limits.)

4. the annoying 'app update available' in notification area (annoying as i don't want the freaking update stop nagging me!)

aside that, Play constantly runs in the background chewing up internal storage over time with the cache, and clearing cache will force Play to just rebuild it. on lower-end or limited-storage devices this causes a problem with remaining storage. Play won't stay force-closed. it's always talking to Google and i find that a security risk if i'm not actively downloading anything. it also demands that sync/background data be enabled or it ceases to function entirely. on other markets, i can leave that feature turned off (which can speed the device up, or conserve limited data caps)
 
The new version of Play has an option to turn off update notifications, so that solves one of the issues for you. Actually 2 probably, since it doesn't check for updates actively anymore, it may not be running too much in the background anymore.
 
are you speaking of app update notifications or the Play Store itself? the things i don't like about Play is how it is always talking to Google's servers when i'm not even using it. i find that a bit sneaky. two, it builds up a huge cache over time. clearing it just forces the cache to once again rebuild, so a lot of internal storage gets used for no reason, even if you're not using Play for a few weeks. third, you cannot use it with background data turned OFF. fourth, it ALWAYS runs in the background using a good portion of CPU. fifth, the little shopping bag icon for 'these apps have updates' always comes back no matter how many times i clear it. the only solution i had was to remove Play and use an alternative market, or side-load APKs from a computer, or some i had backed up on Dropbox.
 
nickdalzell said:
are you speaking of app update notifications or the Play Store itself? the things i don't like about Play is how it is always talking to Google's servers when i'm not even using it. i find that a bit sneaky. two, it builds up a huge cache over time. clearing it just forces the cache to once again rebuild, so a lot of internal storage gets used for no reason, even if you're not using Play for a few weeks. third, you cannot use it with background data turned OFF. fourth, it ALWAYS runs in the background using a good portion of CPU. fifth, the little shopping bag icon for 'these apps have updates' always comes back no matter how many times i clear it. the only solution i had was to remove Play and use an alternative market, or side-load APKs from a computer, or some i had backed up on Dropbox.
Click to expand...

I'm talking of the shopping bag icon saying that some apps have updates. I have the latest version of Play and it has an option to turn those off
 
nickdalzell said:
are you speaking of app update notifications or the Play Store itself? the things i don't like about Play is how it is always talking to Google's servers when i'm not even using it. i find that a bit sneaky. two, it builds up a huge cache over time. clearing it just forces the cache to once again rebuild, so a lot of internal storage gets used for no reason, even if you're not using Play for a few weeks. third, you cannot use it with background data turned OFF. fourth, it ALWAYS runs in the background using a good portion of CPU. fifth, the little shopping bag icon for 'these apps have updates' always comes back no matter how many times i clear it. the only solution i had was to remove Play and use an alternative market, or side-load APKs from a computer, or some i had backed up on Dropbox.
Click to expand...

I disabled background data yesterday and latest version of app still works fine. And u forgot to mention 5) that it is constantly timing out. At least mine does.
 
Timing out on a Play Store download makes the '[app name] could not be downloaded due to an error ' pop up or a 'stuck' download icon in the notification area show. Background data is required for Play to open otherwise you'll get prompted to turn it on in settings when you launch it. Apps do not require background data
 
I was referring to timing out when connecting to the store. As for background data, with it disabled I am still able to open the app. Not sure if I can download though.:)
 
I don't know if its working yet but I'm trying an app called Lucky Patcher. It says its disabled the play stores ability to self update. We'll see.:D
 
Mine updated. It left no automatic updates alone. It also left Google Books, Music, Magazines and other crap disabled.

I don't use Play app on the phone. If I want an app, I use the computer, then send to device.
 
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