Stop phone updating itself over-the-air?

[rling]

Hi all,
First post...
I am new to Android, and I have an expensive data plan that I can't change.
I don't mind that apps use small amounts of data, eg. to sync calendar and contacts which is just a few KB.
This morning I saw that my phone had downloaded 22 MB without asking me. It put up a message saying something like "I have downloaded a new google maps for you". I immediately disabled packet data.

According to TrafficInfo, the data was used by part of the OS (listed as "Downloads, Media Storage, DSM Protected Content, Storage, Download Manager").

This costs me real money. How can I disable all OTA updates (including OS components)? Or at least get ASKED before downloading them so I can refuse them? I can't find any "update" setting anywhere in the global settings. I went to the Android market, Google Maps is listed, but clicking it there is only "Open" or "Uninstall Updates" which sounds like it wants to uninstall the whole app!!. There is no option to "Disable future updates" or anything like it.

In case it makes a difference, I am using DarkyROM 10.1 on a Samsung Galaxy S. But I hope this is not something specific to the phone or the ROM!

THANKS FOR ANY HELP!

rling

 

[drdoom]

Go into the Android Market and go under "My apps" click on each one and make sure "Allow automatic updating" isn't checked. The main ones you need to check are Google applications like maps, gmail, and youtube.

 

[rling]

Go into the Android Market and go under "My apps" click on each one and make sure "Allow automatic updating" isn't checked. The main ones you need to check are Google applications like maps, gmail, and youtube.

Hi drdoom,
Thanks for your fast reply! ;-)
But, there is no "Allow automatic updating" checkbox under google maps in the market app on my Galaxy S. I checked all my other apps including YouTube and they have the checkbnox and it is unchecked.

I am not the only person to have this problem... see:
How do I turn off "Allow automatic updating" on applications that I have checked this for (to reduce my data usage)? - Android Market Help
Roaming Costs due to Auto-Update of Google Maps on Android - Maps Help
http://androidforums.com/android-applications/333678-how-do-i-stop-google-maps-updating.html
Thread Allow automatic updates | Android Forums | BoardReader

THANKS FOR ANY HELP!

Cheers
rling

 

[drdoom]

That is odd; Google Maps no longer has the checkbox for me either. The next thing you can try is disabling background data. From your homescreen, press menu>Accounts & sync> uncheck "Background data" and "Auto-sync." That should prevent anything like e-mails or other data from being pushed to your device and using your part of your cap.

 

[rling]

That is odd; Google Maps no longer has the checkbox for me either.

Thanks again drdoom!!
It's really strange! But at least it is not just me Maybe it is by design?

The next thing you can try is disabling background data.

Thanks!
Actually background data was already disabled -- it says there that "some applications may still use the background data connection" and I guess that Google Maps updating itself is one of them.... :-(

I could try the "uninstall update" button and then see if the checkbox comes back.

I also thought to backup Google Maps .apk with MyBackup Root or Titanium Backup, uninstall it (which should break its link to the Market), then reinstall from the .apk and hope that it can't update itself anymore.

Thanks to all for reading!!

rling

 

[alostpacket]

If things really got expensive too, you might consider talking to your carrier and explaining the steps you've taken and seeing if they will shave a bit off your bill.

Most carriers probably wont unless it's an OS update, but ya never know.

Also, welcome to AF!

 

[wyelkins]

If you are like me and do not use Google Maps very often, but still like to have it around, you can use Titanium Backup to Freeze It. I assume that will prevent the updates, but not sure. I know that it keeps it from using any battery. Another option is to make sure you have it backuped up with TB and then uninstall it. That will definately keep it from updating and it only takes a few seconds to reinstall from your SD card.