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

By Saadat Rafiq · 2 min read · 6 steps · Updated 5 October 2026

Device

Android

Shown on

Samsung Galaxy A57 5G (SM-A576B), One UI 8.5, Android 16

App

Settings

Real screenshots

5 of 6 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

Step by step

1. Open Play Store settings

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

   Done

2. 

   Open Network preferences

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

   Done

3. 

   Tap Auto-update apps

   The line below shows the current choice. Ours was set to update with a limited amount of mobile data.

   Done

4. 

   Choose Update over Wi-Fi only

   There are four choices: update over Wi-Fi or mobile data, with limited mobile data, over Wi-Fi only, or not at all. Pick Update over Wi-Fi only.

   Done

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.

   Done

6. 

   Check App download preference

   Back on Network preferences, App download preference sets which network may be used for apps you install yourself. Ours said Over any network.

   Done

About this guide

By default Google Play may update some 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.

The screenshots are from a Samsung Galaxy A57 5G with One UI 8.5 and Android 16. Other Galaxy phones on One UI 8 use the same menus; on older One UI versions a few names and positions differ. We only looked at these screens on our phone and changed nothing.

Good to know

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

In short: Play Store, profile picture, Settings, Network preferences, Auto-update apps, Update over Wi-Fi only.