Play store app says downloading/app itself

If I'm streaming a movie, crippling my speed, using up my internet bandwidth for which I pay money per MB. In this image you can see 3 Google apps were updated without permission. Unlike pm disable pm hide also works on non-rooted devices. So far, I didn't see any more Instant Apps notifications appearing. As the name suggests, it's part of the Google services apps.

PlayStore uses it to run apps without installing them new service. It is possible to disable but not remove as far as I know it will just keep installing it self as being part of the core services.

I believe this will be a system app on newer devices as they come out, for the rest of us with older devices they will just force install on compatible devices. Edit: Due to the fact the question was amended after I answered. This answer applies to none rooted devices. With a rooted device it could be possible but I can't think of a solution that's easy or permanent.

About: [Root Only] This solution involves blocking write access to the temp cache folder where Google downloads its system apps such as Google Play Services, Google Play services for Instant Apps, etc. It's simpler than it looks, because I'm explaining everything, it looks like a lot.

Afterwards, installing new apps essentially becomes 3 steps and the process is similar to installing programs on a PC. So you can't just block it permanently. So no need to block this, or do anything special when it comes to updating your normal apps like Facebook, games etc. Solution: The cache folder above is kept locked during normal operation. When you want to install a new app, overall process is as follows although mostly automated : 1 unlock cache folder 2 lock app folders, in case it sneaks through while it's unblocked and installs it.

Obviously you don't want to type this at the terminal every time so these are automated steps. They involve using two additional apps as well as having BusyBox installed to be able to use chattr command by the scripts. Locking unlocking is achieved by an app called Gscript. You can use any other app that achieves execution of scripts.

There's a version in google store, but it crashes for me and other people. You will know the app is downloaded when the Play Store says "download failed". It'll say that because it couldn't install the apk, but it was actually successful downloading and it is sitting inside the cache folder.

Before running script B above, you have to move the file from cache folder elsewhere. You can do it using any app of course, but I like to use Total Commander, because it can have two panes and it supports bookmarks I added cache to it.

So move it and rename the file from default name to something else and then run the B script above. Also note, when copying the APK it should have an icon of the app. If it has the default icon it's probably corrupt download due to other unrelated reasons, so you can try downloading again. Now the cache folder is cleared and locked and apps folders are unlocked.

Note1: If you click on a new download and it says "pending" just force close Google Play and restart it, it should start downloading automatically. Note2: I have tested this with only Android: 6. Check to see if you have the cache folder and if the download of the Google Play Services is being uploaded there once upload is finished it stays there for a while.

WARNING: It's fine to keep cache folder locked up, but if you happen to restart your phone while those data folders are locked, your phone will not boot. And you'll need to go manually and change it from TWRP shell. I understand this solution is not for everyone, but if your primary concern is stability and to keep data-usage under control, this works Hopefully someone will come up with a better answer than this.

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Asked 4 years, 4 months ago. Active 3 years, 6 months ago. Viewed k times. Background " Google Play services for Instant Apps " has installed itself onto my device without my permission. That is, most likely it is "Google Play services" that's actually doing this in the background There are no confirmations and no notifications of anything downloading, updating, or installing.

My question is: how do I completely disable unauthorized updates of an Android device, yet preserving the following functionality: Contacts Sync Google Play Store Google Maps App In these screenshots, you can see that all settings responsible for automatic updates are switched off. The download is still requested and subsequently, installed. Seems any way of blocking installation will make it download again and again until your data is used up.

So most likely best approach would be to prevent the downloading in the first place. I wasn't able to install Download Manager as a user app, which seems the part that needs to be controlled. Update 2: Downgrading to the previous version of GP Services v Update 3: So now Google is updating itself on regular basis pretty much whenever it feels like it.

Improve this question. Community Bot 1. Emil Emil 2 2 gold badges 6 6 silver badges 18 18 bronze badges. The latter is a recent development and is behaving like a malware although it is official Google app. AFWall it broke in such a way that it gives me "Failed to apply rules" error, intermittently.

Izzy thanks for the edits, makes it clearer. Glad to read, Emil! And yes, test it a little more. Here is the link to related discussion on Google Play forum. It's also installation of unwanted software that I'm trying to prevent. Also, I download apps and updates over the phone's internet as I presently don't have access to WiFi.

If you are at the end of your rope and nothing seems to help, a more drastic step might be in order. Uninstalling all Play Store updates might do the trick. Read next: How to install third-party apps without the Google Play Store. A factory data reset will wipe your phone clean and leave it back the way it was when you first turned it on at least software-wise. This means all your photos, videos, and other files will be deleted, so make sure to back them up before performing a factory data reset.

How To By Suzana Dalul. Check downloads and updates Reset your connection Do you have enough storage? Restart your device Download with your browser instead. Check current downloads and updates More often than not, the Play Store download pending error culprits are apps updating simultaneously.

Keep track of updates: Launch the Google Play Store. Tap on your profile picture in the top-right corner. Tap on the Manage tab. You will see which applications are in the process of being updated or downloaded. Just press the X next to their name to cancel the download and proceed with getting the app you urgently need.

Check your connection. Those using data might want to see if their cellular connection is on: Open the Settings app. Select Mobile network. Toggle Mobile data on. Hit Settings. Expand the Network preferences section. Go into App download preference. Make sure the Over any network option is turned on. Go into Storage.

This page will show you how much data you have at your disposal. Download apps through your browser instead. How to start Android app downloads from any browser: Open your browser of choice and go to the Google Play Store website. Log into your Google Account. Look for the app you want to download and select it. Hit Install. Select which device you want to download the app on.

Clear cache and storage on Android: Open the Settings app. Find the Google Play Store app under See all apps. Hit Clear Cache. You can also select Clear storage for a clean start. Check for system updates Are your downloads still stubbornly pending? How to update your Android phone: Open the Settings app. Go into System. Select System update. Tap on Check for update. Follow instructions to complete any pending updates.

Select Settings. Expand the About section. Tap where it says Play Store version. A notification will let you know if the app is up to date or not. If a new version is available, it will be downloaded automatically after tapping on the option. Change your Google account. Tap on your profile picture in the top-right.

Tap on the Expand arrow next to your account info. Select Manage accounts on this device. Tap on the Google account you want to remove. Hit Remove account.