Preventing the automatic installation of operating system and application upgrades on Android devices is a user-initiated process. For example, a user might disable automatic updates to conserve data usage or avoid potential compatibility issues with existing applications following an upgrade.
The ability to control when software updates are installed offers several advantages. It allows users to maintain a stable device environment, manage data consumption on limited plans, and thoroughly research the implications of an update before implementation. Historically, managing updates required navigating device settings and manually configuring update preferences.