Menu

SAMSUNG GALAXY

How to make Google Play update apps only on Wi-Fi

By Updated 12 November 20263 min read

Device: Galaxy S26 · Software: One UI 9.0 · Checked November 2026

Real screenshot · Galaxy S26, One UI 9.0

In short

Open the Play Store, tap your profile picture, Settings, Network preferences, Auto-update apps and choose Update over Wi-Fi only. App download preference on the same list decides whether downloads you start yourself may use mobile data.

Well, it is a nasty surprise when your data runs out early and you never even opened an app. Google Play can be part of it, because depending on your Auto-update apps choice it may update apps over mobile data. If your data is limited, set it to Wi-Fi only. The menu is the same on every Android phone with Google Play.

5 of 6 steps show a real screenshot from our Galaxy S26.

Steps

0 of 6 steps
  1. 1

    Open Play Store settings

    In the Play Store, tap your profile picture at the top right, then Settings.

  2. 2

    Open Network preferences

    Tap Network preferences to expand it. It covers data use for downloads and auto-updates.

    Android screenshot: Open Network preferences
  3. 3

    Tap Auto-update apps

    The line below shows the current choice. Ours said Auto-update apps with limited amount of mobile data.

    Android screenshot: Tap Auto-update apps
  4. 4

    Choose Update over Wi-Fi only

    There are four choices: Update all apps over Wi-Fi or mobile data, Update with limited amount of mobile data, Update over Wi-Fi only and Don't auto-update apps. Pick Update over Wi-Fi only.

    Android screenshot: Choose Update over Wi-Fi only
  5. 5

    What limited mobile data means

    With limited mobile data, Play updates a few of your most important apps over mobile data when there is no Wi-Fi. That was the option chosen on our phone.

    Android screenshot: What limited mobile data means
  6. 6

    Check App download preference

    Back on Network preferences, App download preference sets which network may be used for apps you install yourself. Tap it to choose Over any network, Over Wi-Fi only or Ask me every time. Ours said Over any network.

    Android screenshot: Check App download preference

If you do not see this option

If this does not work

  • Apps still do not update by themselves Google says apps may not update automatically if an account on the phone has a sign-in error. Check the accounts in the phone's Settings.
  • An app updated over mobile data anyway That is not your setting failing. Google says it may push an update that fixes a critical security problem regardless of your update settings.
  • Updates pile up because you rarely use Wi-Fi? Update by hand when you have a connection you are happy to use. Google says: profile picture, Manage apps & device, then under Updates available tap See details and Update, or Update all.
  • Your limited data choice was reset? Google says clearing the Play Store's data resets your settings and the mobile data budget. Choose your Auto-update apps option again afterwards, because the reset wipes the choice you made.

Good to know

Mobile data not working at all? Samsung Galaxy mobile data not working? 7 fixes.

With Wi-Fi only chosen, updates wait until you join Wi-Fi, so after a long trip several may arrive at once. Don't worry, that is just Play catching up, not a fault. Google says some updates need new permissions, which Play asks you to accept, and some may need a restart. To go back, choose another option under Auto-update apps. If downloads seem stuck, see Download pending in Google Play? 6 fixes.

Watch these steps

Video thumbnail: How to make Google Play update apps only on Wi-FiWatch on YouTubeThe same steps, recorded on our Galaxy S26 · opens YouTube

About this guide

Device
Android
Shown on
Samsung Galaxy S26 (SM-S942N, Korean model), One UI 9.0, Android 17 (build CP2A.260605.016.S942NKSU5BZJB)
App
Google Play
Real screenshots
5 of 6 steps
What we did
Observed: looked at each screen, changed nothing
Checked
November 2026
Sources
1 official, linked below

The screenshots are from a Samsung Galaxy S26 with One UI 9.0 and Android 17. Other Galaxy phones on One UI 8.5 and 9 use the same menus; on older One UI versions a few names and positions differ.

Sources

Links checked November 2026. Menus and features can change with updates.

Did this guide work for you?