Preventing the installation of new operating system versions on a mobile device running the Android OS can be achieved through various methods. This process effectively halts the automatic download and installation of software improvements provided by the manufacturer or Google. An instance of this would be preventing a device currently on Android version 12 from upgrading to version 13 or receiving incremental security patches.
Controlling when, or if, a device receives operating system enhancements offers several potential advantages. It may prevent unforeseen compatibility issues with specific applications, maintain a consistent user experience across a fleet of devices, or delay updates until internal testing and validation are complete within an organization. Historically, this level of control was often achieved through rooting the device or employing custom ROMs, which presented security risks. Modern methods prioritize native system settings or enterprise mobility management (EMM) solutions.