New Android User Trying To Stop Auto Updates

[SennaSempre]

Hello, I just bought my 1st or 2nd Android phone. The 1st one was given to me 10 years ago, a Samsung Galaxy and I didn't like the OS3 so I never used it. But now with smartphones going for $1,000++ it's gotten to the point of ridiculousness.

I can find a very good $200.00 Android phone that is equal on performance with many $1,000 dollar phones on the market. So I picked up the ZTE Nubia Focus Pro 5G for $200.00 but you can find it as low as $150.00 bucks.

Thus, I needed to join this forum to ask some questions on customization. One thing that I immediately do to all of my new phones, computers, any electronic devices, etc. is that I shutdown all automatic updates for the system OS and all apps.

I know there will be some forum members trying to sell me on the idea of updates being a good thing, but honestly save it, you have a better chance of seeing a ghost than getting me to adopt updates which I haven't for 15 years and I have never had any problems with any of my systems, literally zero intrusions or breakdowns. And I've helped start a software company many years ago so I know what I'm doing is safe.

The ZTE comes preloaded with Android 13.0.2. Before I set up my wi-fi or put in sim cards. I went on YouTube tutorials to copycat all settings to disable updates on everything. The toggle to turn off automatic updates goes grey but doesn't actually turn off the update.

So I then discovered other menus like Running services that has a System update submenu. It's a Running app called ZdmService which I Stop and it deletes from the Running services menu. But it keeps popping up again. What is Zdm?

I've had this phone for only 1 month and have gone through 4 "Forced-Updates"

MyOS13.0.2
MyOS13.05
MyOS13.07
MyOS14.0.1

...and the phone is getting slower and slower operationally. I try not to power it down and restart it because then is when the forced update pushes through. So I can't seem to stop them. I hope someone here knows how to stop them perhaps? Thank you for reading.

 

[methodman89]

I'm following this because I'm going from an S9 plus to a S24. I'm in the US, and paid $303 for an Excellent refurbished unit from Amazon.
I found this regarding ZDM.

https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb&sysparm_article=KB0063224

Good luck

 

[winmod21]

Hello, I just bought my 1st or 2nd Android phone. The 1st one was given to me 10 years ago, a Samsung Galaxy and I didn't like the OS3 so I never used it. But now with smartphones going for $1,000++ it's gotten to the point of ridiculousness.

I can find a very good $200.00 Android phone that is equal on performance with many $1,000 dollar phones on the market. So I picked up the ZTE Nubia Focus Pro 5G for $200.00 but you can find it as low as $150.00 bucks.

Thus, I needed to join this forum to ask some questions on customization. One thing that I immediately do to all of my new phones, computers, any electronic devices, etc. is that I shutdown all automatic updates for the system OS and all apps.

I know there will be some forum members trying to sell me on the idea of updates being a good thing, but honestly save it, you have a better chance of seeing a ghost than getting me to adopt updates which I haven't for 15 years and I have never had any problems with any of my systems, literally zero intrusions or breakdowns. And I've helped start a software company many years ago so I know what I'm doing is safe.

The ZTE comes preloaded with Android 13.0.2. Before I set up my wi-fi or put in sim cards. I went on YouTube tutorials to copycat all settings to disable updates on everything. The toggle to turn off automatic updates goes grey but doesn't actually turn off the update.

So I then discovered other menus like Running services that has a System update submenu. It's a Running app called ZdmService which I Stop and it deletes from the Running services menu. But it keeps popping up again. What is Zdm?

I've had this phone for only 1 month and have gone through 4 "Forced-Updates"

MyOS13.0.2
MyOS13.05
MyOS13.07
MyOS14.0.1

...and the phone is getting slower and slower operationally. I try not to power it down and restart it because then is when the forced update pushes through. So I can't seem to stop them. I hope someone here knows how to stop them perhaps? Thank you for reading.

I stopped all updates on my Samsung Galaxy S23+, right after purchasing it in Sept 2023. And except for my habit of always leaving the WiFi & Mobile data off, except when I need to use them for something, I'm not recalling at this moment what else I did.
Will have to think about it.

Thenceforth, I did decide to do one update afterwards—from Android v13 to v14 UI 6.0—manually via Odin & the Frija tool (I think in March 2024, after reading something here on this forum, related to security - that kinda concerned me, at the time . . ).
Though the 'Kernel version' still says:
[5.15.94-Android13-8-27763874-abS916USxxx ~]
[#1 Fri Dec 29 06:02:38 UTC 2023]
And I'm still running on the:
[Android security patch level: Jan 1, 2024]
So anyways, v14 UI 6.0 is where I've decided to stay.

There's been no updates since. Although I do get the 'Update you phone' page & notifications every time I turn the phone on each morning. And again, I'll have to try and remember if I did something else to stop them.

 

[spARTacus]

Same kind of thing for me. I disabled all/any settings I could find anywhere/everywhere about auto updates, via Playstore, Samsung Galaxy Store, and also some other in app settings (like within anything that had to do with FB), and that seems to prevent most things from auto updating. However, some google apps seem to be able to update on their own within google's own framework, regardless of what controls the user thinks they have.

I've never had an OS update happen on its own without me agreeing to let it happen. However, Samsung is probably a bit better at user controls over stuff like that, compared to ZTE.

 

[mustang7757]

Hello, I just bought my 1st or 2nd Android phone. The 1st one was given to me 10 years ago, a Samsung Galaxy and I didn't like the OS3 so I never used it. But now with smartphones going for $1,000++ it's gotten to the point of ridiculousness.

I can find a very good $200.00 Android phone that is equal on performance with many $1,000 dollar phones on the market. So I picked up the ZTE Nubia Focus Pro 5G for $200.00 but you can find it as low as $150.00 bucks.

Thus, I needed to join this forum to ask some questions on customization. One thing that I immediately do to all of my new phones, computers, any electronic devices, etc. is that I shutdown all automatic updates for the system OS and all apps.

I know there will be some forum members trying to sell me on the idea of updates being a good thing, but honestly save it, you have a better chance of seeing a ghost than getting me to adopt updates which I haven't for 15 years and I have never had any problems with any of my systems, literally zero intrusions or breakdowns. And I've helped start a software company many years ago so I know what I'm doing is safe.

The ZTE comes preloaded with Android 13.0.2. Before I set up my wi-fi or put in sim cards. I went on YouTube tutorials to copycat all settings to disable updates on everything. The toggle to turn off automatic updates goes grey but doesn't actually turn off the update.

So I then discovered other menus like Running services that has a System update submenu. It's a Running app called ZdmService which I Stop and it deletes from the Running services menu. But it keeps popping up again. What is Zdm?

I've had this phone for only 1 month and have gone through 4 "Forced-Updates"

MyOS13.0.2
MyOS13.05
MyOS13.07
MyOS14.0.1

...and the phone is getting slower and slower operationally. I try not to power it down and restart it because then is when the forced update pushes through. So I can't seem to stop them. I hope someone here knows how to stop them perhaps? Thank you for reading.

Welcome to AC!
I would steer you to One plus 13r under 600 and flagships specs

 

[Drongo]

Hello, I just bought my 1st or 2nd Android phone. The 1st one was given to me 10 years ago, a Samsung Galaxy and I didn't like the OS3 so I never used it. But now with smartphones going for $1,000++ it's gotten to the point of ridiculousness.

I can find a very good $200.00 Android phone that is equal on performance with many $1,000 dollar phones on the market. So I picked up the ZTE Nubia Focus Pro 5G for $200.00 but you can find it as low as $150.00 bucks.

Thus, I needed to join this forum to ask some questions on customization. One thing that I immediately do to all of my new phones, computers, any electronic devices, etc. is that I shutdown all automatic updates for the system OS and all apps.

I know there will be some forum members trying to sell me on the idea of updates being a good thing, but honestly save it, you have a better chance of seeing a ghost than getting me to adopt updates which I haven't for 15 years and I have never had any problems with any of my systems, literally zero intrusions or breakdowns. And I've helped start a software company many years ago so I know what I'm doing is safe.

The ZTE comes preloaded with Android 13.0.2. Before I set up my wi-fi or put in sim cards. I went on YouTube tutorials to copycat all settings to disable updates on everything. The toggle to turn off automatic updates goes grey but doesn't actually turn off the update.

So I then discovered other menus like Running services that has a System update submenu. It's a Running app called ZdmService which I Stop and it deletes from the Running services menu. But it keeps popping up again. What is Zdm?

I've had this phone for only 1 month and have gone through 4 "Forced-Updates"

MyOS13.0.2
MyOS13.05
MyOS13.07
MyOS14.0.1

...and the phone is getting slower and slower operationally. I try not to power it down and restart it because then is when the forced update pushes through. So I can't seem to stop them. I hope someone here knows how to stop them perhaps? Thank you for reading.

I have a Samsung Galaxy S24. It took me a long time to sort it out especially auto updates. I have

 

[Drongo]

I bought a Samsung S24+ in Hong Kong.
I had the same problems with auto-updates. I did a search how to disable them.
I also uninstalled updates on Samsung bloatware apps and there are 28 in the Samsung Store. The only updates I allow are for security. I installed a lot of Google apps to replace Samsung apps. Google clock, Gboard, wallet, messages, photos, Wallpapers and I installed Firefox browser. No adds. I got this phone sorted out and quite satisfied.

 

[Golfdriver97]

The only way I can think of to possibly disable OTA updates is through ADB. I started finding some instructions on how to do it, but I realized it will involve a restart (power down to the bootloader, then back to the OS is a restart).

the phone is getting slower and slower operationally

Probably because there is a pending restart request.

It's a Running app called ZdmService which I Stop and it deletes from the Running services menu. But it keeps popping up again. What is Zdm?

The only ZDM acronym I could find that kind of makes sense is Zero Downtime Migration from Oracle. One of my search results had a synopsis saying it was designed for Linux systems, but I could not find anything to confirm that. As for the service reviving after being killed, it's probably due to being a system app that has a restart embedded in the OS.


Right now, I think the only way for you to get around this is to see if MAYBE there is a custom ROM that you can install. As I recall, most of them had either a way to turn off OTA updates, or you had to manually do them yourself.


For anyone else reading this thread, due to the OP saying he would ignore any advice on updating software, not doing so should be done at your own risk. Core operating system and kernel exploits can only be patched by updates. This course of action is something I would not recommend.

 

[winmod21]

I bought a Samsung S24+ in Hong Kong.
I had the same problems with auto-updates. I did a search how to disable them.
I also uninstalled updates on Samsung bloatware apps and there are 28 in the Samsung Store. The only updates I allow are for security. I installed a lot of Google apps to replace Samsung apps. Google clock, Gboard, wallet, messages, photos, Wallpapers and I installed Firefox browser. No adds. I got this phone sorted out and quite satisfied.

"I also uninstalled updates on Samsung bloatware apps and there are 28 in the Samsung Store."

Hello, how do you go about doing that? I don't see any reference to 'Samsung Store' in Settings > Apps. — Thanks

 

[SennaSempre]

I found this regarding ZDM.

https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb&sysparm_article=KB0063224

Hello my Zdm Services is an Android default setting of some kind, it doesn't have any relation to the Zoom app. I uploaded some attachments.

I did decide to do one update afterwards—from Android v13 to v14 UI 6.0—manually via Odin & the Frija tool...

...can I use this Odin or Frija tool to stop the auto updates on the OS and any app? I have apps updating eventhough I shut all of those down to.

...that seems to prevent most things from auto updating. However, some google apps seem to be able to update on their own within google's own framework, regardless of what controls the user thinks they have. I've never had an OS update happen on its own without me agreeing to let it happen. However, Samsung is probably a bit better at user controls over stuff like that, compared to ZTE.

Like you said, my apps are able to update within' this framework regardless of what I do and I hate it. I think my ZTE controls suck and not giving me full functionality. When I google for info, my follow path runs to empty spaces.

Welcome to AC!
I would steer you to One plus 13r under 600 and flagships specs

Thank you, but I just bought this phone last month and I still haven't figured it out fully yet.

I got this phone sorted out and quite satisfied.

I wish I could say the same with my buy at the moment. I hope to sort this one out.

The only way I can think of to possibly disable OTA updates is through ADB.

What is ADB, and would this wash out my installed apps or saved data or saved settings?

The only ZDM acronym I could find that kind of makes sense is Zero Downtime Migration from Oracle.

Right now, I think the only way for you to get around this is to see if MAYBE there is a custom ROM that you can install. As I recall, most of them had either a way to turn off OTA updates, or you had to manually do them yourself.

Yeah I saw this Oracle program you mentioned but its not that. I attached some screenshots. "custom ROM" ...like a coder building it for me? That could be very pricey.

 

[SennaSempre]

...sorry, forgot my screenshot attachments

 

[SennaSempre]

...sorry, forgot my screenshot attachments

Hello Moderators: @mustang7757 and @Golfdriver97 I'm trying to attach some snapshots of my mobile screen showing the auto updates problem but I think my new account is not authorized to post attachments on the forum because they don't come up. So if you can fix that setting for me I would appreciate it, thank you.

 

[Golfdriver97]

What is ADB, and would this wash out my installed apps or saved data or saved settings?

Android Debug Bridge. It is a CLI for your phone that can do more things than you can imagine for your device. Given the correct command, it can do a reset. But like I said, it does require rebooting into the bootloader, and then back to the OS itself. That is a restart, and will apply the updates that it downloaded.

"custom ROM" ...like a coder building it for me? That could be very pricey.

There are many groups of poeple that make custom ROMs for free, but they only code for certain devices. I am not sure if yours would be one. The process is usually gaining root access, installing a custom recovery, and then installing the ROM. You can check XDA forums to see if someone made a ROM for your device. I would advise to read directions and watch YouTube videos on the process several times for your exact device. And look up how to reverse the process. This is a process that should not be taken lightly, and does have the possibility of bricking your device.

 

[SennaSempre]

@Golfdriver97 I don't know what a CLI is either lol oof, I'm not skilled enough to get into terminal commands and all that. And I'm usually unlucky so it probably would brick my device.

Is there an easier way to approach this perhaps? A 3rd-party app that will guarantee shutting down all auto updates for all apps and OS, even if I have to buy that app is fine.

Side note - I will try again to upload my screenshots of the ZdmService menus. I hope an admin has granted me access to do this or am I doing something wrong to upload attachments?

...Trying to attach jpegs it 0% of upload progress and just hangs there doing nothing. Is my account barred from uploading images or media or something? I'm trying to show users my screenshots.

 

[Golfdriver97]

Trying to attach jpegs it 0% of upload progress and just hangs there doing nothing. Is my account barred from uploading images or media or something? I'm trying to show users my screenshots.

It's most likely due to the new account. It's been a while since I had someone ask about this, but the last I knew, I think a month had to elapse, along with a certain post count before pictures could be posted. I could be recalling that incorrectly, though.

I don't know what a CLI is either

Command Line Interface. Basically, Windows Command Prompt.

And I'm usually unlucky so it probably would brick my device.

I'm not even sure you could brick your device with ADB. Not saying it's impossible, but I have never heard of it. It is user control on speed and steroids, but aside from a factory reset, I don't think you can do anything that detrimental to it. Even with the reset, there is still a warning screen about the repercussions. Even locking and unlocking the bootloader has a warning screen.

Is there an easier way to approach this perhaps?

Some OEMs will stop automatic updates if you gain root access. I'm not sure how you would do that on your device. XDA forums may have a method. My advice for rooting your device is the same as flashing a ROM: read the instructions several times before attempting it. The possibility of bricking your device is always present.

I typed most of the above out of order....as I was typing about unlocking the bootloader, I realized that it may also stop OEM updates. Since the bootloader is unlocked, the security patches sometimes fail (unlocking the bootloader is compromising device security).

 

[mustang7757]

Hello Moderators: @mustang7757 and @Golfdriver97 I'm trying to attach some snapshots of my mobile screen showing the auto updates problem but I think my new account is not authorized to post attachments on the forum because they don't come up. So if you can fix that setting for me I would appreciate it, thank you.

Hey sorry getting back late, if you want you can PM me more specifics, are you still having trouble?

If it's giving error for file size attachments the site allows 5mb or under , otherwise you can use Imgur to post the attachment.

 

[SennaSempre]

you guys all gave me alot of good information but, I've never done any of that root stuff before, I'm not a coder, so I'm afraid that I would break the OS.

I've messed around inside a Linux shell before trying to shutdown updates there and it was a huge struggle, just too complicated.

My best bet is to find a coder who is friends with a friend and have him do the tasks infront of me while I feed him beers all day at a barbeque or something.

I don't think I'll be able to get in there to tackle this as you guys described. :/ but thank you for the info which I'll use as a future reference when I find that techie to do it.