On a stock android, for example a Samsung, Sony, Motorola etc, the system updates that you can push via the settings - are Google Play Services and the Play Store necessary for these? And all the apps that are preinstalled (I am talking about system apps like com.android.webview or com.android.carr…

For all updates on these example packages you provided you just need the play store for the most part yes and at this point in turn the play services but play store as bare minimum

I am asking because I would like to disable Play Services and Play Store but obviously still need the updates. What would you recommend? Disabling them and then every few days turning them on for updates?

Thanks, but that is not what I am talking about. The phone still receives updates for a few years. But I still would like to disable the Play Services and Store, but I obviously need the updates as well as updates for a couple of apps that were installed through the store (and there are no FOSS alte…

I’m not sure what you’re trying to achieve here. If your device is supported then you could break android functionality by disabling google play services and even if not it will be enabled again with the next system update from the oem. Also some apps could not work without play services. Periodi…

Android functionality does not break with it disabling Google play services! You are absolutely Correct that it can make apps relying on it break or stop and of course that would likely include the play system update. And aurora recommendation all good

@user1 no, the phone can work even with the Play Services disabled. Even apps that were installed through the Play Store can work w/o the Service enabled. But my issue are as mentioned the updates that I need and want. Aurora is not an option, I do not want to use it for banking apps for example.

im confused, aurora store is just a way to use the play store if without play services or anonymous account, you can download and update your banking app just fine. You will need play services doe likely for the banking app and some other services like play system update. And that’s what your banki…

As you can read on these previous topics : Can Google Play Services be disabled? Updating Android system processes Android system processes there is no clear-cut opinion, yet, it seems it’s better to follow the KISS android guide of @user1

@anon39279085 I do not want to use Aurora for such sensitive apps, also, the bank does not allow you to install their app through any other way than the Play or App Store. When using two different users on a phone, and one has Play Services enabled, the other one not, are system updates and system …

Privacy Guides Community

Stock Android and app updates

Questions

user1 December 18, 2025, 7:08am 4

If your device is not supported by the OEM anymore you might follow the KISS android guide in the wiki.

Topic		Replies	Views
Can Google Play Services be disabled? Questions	17	2331	November 27, 2025
Can Aurora Store update apps originally installed with Google Play Store? Questions	5	2625	July 14, 2025
Updating Android system processes Questions	16	692	April 4, 2025
Does using my phone (no rom) without an google account cause issues Questions	12	1037	September 14, 2023
Should I use google account for getting updates to Google Play System update? Questions	4	741	November 15, 2023

Privacy Guides

Massive organizations are monitoring your online activities. Privacy Guides is your central privacy and security resource to protect yourself online.

Privacy Guides is a non-profit, socially motivated website that provides information for protecting your data security and privacy.

We do not make money from recommending certain products, and we do not use affiliate links.

Knowledge Base

Private Web Browsers

Top VPN Providers

Privacy-Respecting Services

Software Recommendations

More Resources

Stock Android and app updates

Related topics