How to avoid updating WhatsApp - briefly?
To avoid updating WhatsApp, you can disable automatic updates in your device's app store settings and manually decline any update prompts that appear. Additionally, turning off background data usage for WhatsApp can help prevent the app from checking for updates when not in use.
How to avoid updating WhatsApp - in detail?
Avoiding updates on WhatsApp can be crucial for users who wish to maintain their current experience or avoid potential issues that might arise from new features or changes in the app's interface. Here are several detailed methods to achieve this:
- Disable Automatic Updates: Both Android and iOS devices offer options to disable automatic updates. For Android, navigate to the Google Play Store, tap on your profile picture, go to "Settings," then "Network preferences," and turn off "Auto-update apps." On iOS, go to "Settings," select "App Store," and toggle off "App Updates."
- Use an Older Version of WhatsApp: If you are using an Android device, you can download and install an older version of the app from a reliable third-party source. Be cautious with this method, as it may pose security risks if the source is not trustworthy. For iOS devices, Apple does not allow sideloading apps, so this option is not available.
- Disable Background Data: WhatsApp can automatically update itself in the background using mobile data or Wi-Fi. To prevent this, you can restrict WhatsApp's access to background data. On Android, go to "Settings," select "Apps" (or "Application Manager"), find WhatsApp, tap on it, and then disable "Background data." For iOS, this option is not available, but you can limit WhatsApp’s data usage by going to "Settings," selecting "Cellular," and toggling off "WhatsApp."
- Use a Dedicated Device: If you frequently need to use an older version of WhatsApp for specific purposes, consider using a dedicated device solely for this app. This way, you can avoid updating the app entirely on that particular device.
- Monitor and Restrict Permissions: Regularly monitor the permissions granted to WhatsApp. If the app requests additional permissions that seem unnecessary, consider denying them. This can help limit the app's ability to update itself or access certain features you wish to avoid.
- Regular Backups: Before deciding to avoid updates, ensure you have a recent backup of your chat history and important data. WhatsApp provides built-in options for backing up your chats to Google Drive (Android) or iCloud (iOS). This step is crucial in case something goes wrong with the app after avoiding updates.
By following these steps, you can effectively avoid updating WhatsApp while maintaining control over your user experience and data security.