Imagine waking up to find random apps installed on your phone without your consent. It’s not just frustrating—it can drain your data, storage, and battery life, and even expose your device to malware or adware.

How To Fix Your Android Device From Automatically Downloading Games Or Apps On Its Own

This issue can stem from multiple causes, including pre-installed bloatware, misconfigured settings, or even malware lurking in the background. So, based on my experiences and insights from real user stories, I’m sharing several methods to help you stop those unwanted downloads once and for all.

Fix 1: Disable Auto-Update and Auto-Downloads from Google Play Store

The first thing I do when facing this issue is check the Google Play Store settings. Sometimes, your phone may be set to automatically update or download apps, especially when it’s connected to Wi-Fi. Here’s how you can stop that:

1. Open the Google Play Store app.
2. Tap your profile icon at the top-right corner.
3. Go to Settings > Network Preferences > Auto-update apps.
4. Choose “Don’t auto-update apps.” Alternatively, you can select “Over Wi-Fi only” if you want updates to happen only when connected to Wi-Fi.

Sometimes, automatic updates are convenient, but if you’re not careful, they can lead to unwanted apps or updates draining your data without you even knowing it. That’s why I recommend controlling these settings.

Fix 2: Disable or Uninstall Pre-Installed Bloatware

One of the main culprits behind automatic app downloads can be pre-installed bloatware, especially if you bought your device from a carrier like Verizon or AT&T. These system apps often download or suggest other apps without you even realizing it. I’ve noticed this on many of my carrier-purchased phones.

If your phone was purchased from Verizon, AT&T, or Vodafone, it likely contains pre-installed carrier apps that can silently install more apps without your permission.

How to Disable Carrier Bloatware:

1. Open Settings > Apps
2. Tap three-dot menu > Show System Apps
3. Find apps like Verizon App Manager, AT&T Services, or Samsung Push Service
4. Disable or uninstall them

✅ User Quote: “Verizon’s bloatware was secretly installing apps. I disabled ‘Verizon App Manager,’ and it stopped immediately!” — u/Tallyoyoguy42

“Samsung phones are notorious for this. My Galaxy S9 kept downloading unwanted apps from the Galaxy Store even though I turned off every permission I could find.” — u/Popular-Secretary-1.

Sometimes, disabling bloatware can be tricky because not all system apps can be uninstalled. In those cases, I recommend disabling them to prevent further issues.

Fix 3: Review App Permissions and Special Access

Some malware or adware can force install apps in the background without your knowledge. If you’ve downloaded apps from unofficial APK websites, your phone may be compromised.

How to Scan & Remove Malware

1. Download Malwarebytes or Bitdefender from the Google Play Store
2. Run a full system scan
3. If malware won’t uninstall, boot into Safe Mode (Press & Hold Power > Tap & Hold Power Off > Select Safe Mode)
4. In Safe Mode, uninstall the infected app

✅ User Quote: “I had an app that reinstalled itself after every reboot. Malwarebytes flagged it as adware, deleted it, and no more problems!” — u/synerjay16

Insight from a User:

“What I ended up doing was going into my settings and disabling about every app from my provider. It was an annoying process, but I was able to figure out which one was causing the issue.” — u/HauntSpot.

Paying attention to app permissions can help reveal which app has been given more control than it should, leading to those automatic downloads.

Fix 4: Stop Samsung Galaxy Store from Auto-Installing Apps

Samsung’s Galaxy Store is known to auto-install promotional apps, even when you disable Google Play auto-updates.

🔧 How to Disable Auto-Installs in Galaxy Store:

1️⃣ Open Galaxy Store
2️⃣ Tap Menu > Settings
3️⃣ Disable “Auto-update apps”
4️⃣ Disable “Marketing & Promotions”

✅ User Quote:

“My Galaxy Store was pushing app installs I never asked for. I turned off marketing features, and it stopped.” — u/Popular-Secretary-1

Fix 5: Remove Auto-Downloads from Third-Party App Stores (GetApps, AppGallery)

Some brands use third-party app stores (GetApps, AppGallery, App Market) that may install unwanted apps.

🔧 How to Stop Third-Party App Stores from Downloading Apps:

1️⃣ Open Settings > Apps
2️⃣ Locate GetApps (Xiaomi) / AppGallery (Huawei)
3️⃣ Disable all notifications & permissions
4️⃣ Force stop or uninstall

✅ User Quote:

Fix 6: Clear Data and Cache for Google Play Store

Sometimes, the issue might be due to corrupted or outdated cache files, which can cause apps to behave erratically. If you’re still facing issues, consider resetting the Google Play Store by clearing its data and cache.

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Google Play Store.
2. Tap Storage and then select Clear Data and Clear Cache.
3. Restart your phone and check if the problem persists.

Advice from a Pro: “Reset your Google Play Store settings. Go to Settings > Google Play > Clear storage and then tap Reset.” — Bryce Barros, Platinum Product Expert.

Clearing the cache and data will reset your Play Store settings, so be sure to reconfigure your preferences afterward.

Fix 7: Scan for Malware or Malicious Apps

Malware or adware could be silently causing your device to download apps on its own. If you’ve ever downloaded apps from unofficial sources or clicked on suspicious links, there might be some malicious software installed on your device. I’ve learned that running a regular scan is essential.

1. Download a trusted antivirus app like Malwarebytes or AVG from the Google Play Store.
2. Perform a full system scan and delete any flagged apps.
3. Make scanning your device a habit to keep it malware-free.

Real-Life Example: “My Android did this. I was able to identify the app that started it and deleted it. All the auto installations stopped.” — u/synerjay16.

Fix 8: Factory Reset Your Device (As a Last Resort)

If none of the above solutions work, you might need to consider a factory reset. I know it’s a hassle, but it clears everything, including any malware or faulty settings that might be causing automatic downloads. Make sure to back up your data first.

1. Go to Settings > System > Reset.
2. Choose Factory Data Reset and follow the on-screen instructions.
3. After resetting, set up your phone without restoring old backups initially to see if the problem is resolved.

Advice from a Redditor: “If worst comes to worst, you can always factory reset your device too. I’ve had to do that a few times… it’s the best way to ensure quality control of your device.” — u/HauntSpot.

Other Possible Causes for Automatic Downloads

Sometimes, your Android phone may download apps by itself because of:

• Pre-installed bloatware from carriers
• Enabled automatic app updates
• Linked Google accounts on multiple devices
• Hidden permissions in system apps

Dealing with automatic app downloads on Android devices can be a headache, but I’m happy to share that there are several effective ways to tackle this issue. By disabling auto-updates, managing bloatware, and checking permissions, you can regain control over your device. Always be cautious of downloading apps from unofficial sources, and regularly scan your device for potential malware. Hopefully, these tips, paired with real user experiences, will help you fix the issue and prevent it from happening again.

Final Thoughts

When I noticed my Android was downloading games and apps overnight, I did the following:

✔ Checked Installed Apps: Went to Settings > Apps and removed unknown apps.
✔ Monitored Data Usage: Opened Settings > Network & Internet > Data Usage to check which apps were downloading in the background.
✔ Disabled Install Permissions: Settings > Apps > Special Access > Install Unknown Apps → Disabled everything except Google Play Store.
✔ Scanned for Malware: Used Malwarebytes to detect hidden threats.
✔ Disabled Google Play Auto-Updates & Third-Party Stores: Stopped Play Store auto-downloads, Galaxy Store installs, and GetApps installations.
✔ Revoked Device Admin Access: Checked Settings > Security > Device Admin Apps and removed unknown apps.
✔ Checked Google Account Sync: Verified Google Play Protect settings and removed unauthorized devices from my Google account.

📌 Result? My phone stopped installing apps automatically after I removed a third-party app store (GetApps from Xiaomi) and revoked unknown device admin permissions.

From my own experience and what I’ve learned from others, dealing with automatic app downloads can be a real hassle, but the solutions are out there. By trying these fixes, from disabling auto-updates to even considering custom ROMs, you can regain control over your Android device.

If the issue persists, don’t hesitate to dig deeper into permissions and settings or consult with your carrier. Good luck, and here’s to a smoother, cleaner Android experience!