New Android User Trying To Stop Auto Updates

[SennaSempre]

Hello, I just bought my 1st or 2nd Android phone. The 1st one was given to me 10 years ago, a Samsung Galaxy and I didn't like the OS3 so I never used it. But now with smartphones going for $1,000++ it's gotten to the point of ridiculousness.

I can find a very good $200.00 Android phone that is equal on performance with many $1,000 dollar phones on the market. So I picked up the ZTE Nubia Focus Pro 5G for $200.00 but you can find it as low as $150.00 bucks.

Thus, I needed to join this forum to ask some questions on customization. One thing that I immediately do to all of my new phones, computers, any electronic devices, etc. is that I shutdown all automatic updates for the system OS and all apps.

I know there will be some forum members trying to sell me on the idea of updates being a good thing, but honestly save it, you have a better chance of seeing a ghost than getting me to adopt updates which I haven't for 15 years and I have never had any problems with any of my systems, literally zero intrusions or breakdowns. And I've helped start a software company many years ago so I know what I'm doing is safe.

The ZTE comes preloaded with Android 13.0.2. Before I set up my wi-fi or put in sim cards. I went on YouTube tutorials to copycat all settings to disable updates on everything. The toggle to turn off automatic updates goes grey but doesn't actually turn off the update.

So I then discovered other menus like Running services that has a System update submenu. It's a Running app called ZdmService which I Stop and it deletes from the Running services menu. But it keeps popping up again. What is Zdm?

I've had this phone for only 1 month and have gone through 4 "Forced-Updates"

MyOS13.0.2
MyOS13.05
MyOS13.07
MyOS14.0.1

...and the phone is getting slower and slower operationally. I try not to power it down and restart it because then is when the forced update pushes through. So I can't seem to stop them. I hope someone here knows how to stop them perhaps? Thank you for reading.

 

[Quintessa]

It's a Running app called ZdmService which I Stop and it deletes from the Running services menu. But it keeps popping up again. What is Zdm?

That's exactly how their OTA system is designed.
ZTE doesn't offer much transparency or opt-out when it comes to forced updates. If staying on a specific version is critical, your best bet long term may be switching to a more open Android brand like Pixel or Xiaomi (with unlocked bootloader support).

I suggest you look for a right how-to on disabling forced-updates for this brand on a forum more like xdaforums (just wish they had a dedicated room).

 

[SennaSempre]

But I just purchased this phone a month ago and still haven't figured it all out. Too many submenu layers. Is there an unlocked bootloader support app for ZTE that would work?

Also my 3rd-party apps are updating to eventhough I have disabled all of those but it seems they are still coming through.

ZTE is not a common brand in the states. I had this one shipped in from Spain so it probably will be hard to find a forum in the English language. Not all Euro countries sell ZTE either so I think its mostly an Asian market.

Awesome Avatar. I'm a huge Transformers fan since I was kid watching Gen 1 after school, then G.I. Joe afterwards. #3 with Sentinel was the best in my opinion. Can't wait until TRON 3.

 

[Quintessa]

But I just purchased this phone a month ago and still haven't figured it all out. Too many submenu layers.

MyOS buries key settings under several layers, and many toggles are purely cosmetic. Some options even appear user-controllable, but are overridden by background services like ZdmService

Is there an unlocked bootloader support app for ZTE that would work?

Unfortunately, ZTE doesn't offer an official bootloader unlock tool like Xiaomi or OnePlus. Most ZTE models including Nubia are locked by default and require either:
1. Paid unlock from third-party services (which can be risky), or
2. Using EDL mode with test points (requires deep knowledge + USB tool).

Also my 3rd-party apps are updating to eventhough I have disabled all of those but it seems they are still coming through.

Let me guess, set in Playstore? Instead, go to:
Settings > Network Preferences > Auto-update apps > Set to "Don't auto-update Apps"
Also double check:
Settings > Google > Play Protect > Disable "Scan apps" and related toggles.

ZTE is not a common brand in the states. I had this one shipped in from Spain so it probably will be hard to find a forum in the English language.

Yeah, Nubia devices are niche in English-speaking communities. Most support forums are in Mandarin or scattered across TG groups. You might want to check xda forum under the “Other Chinese Brands” section, some users occasionally post Nubia stuff there.

Awesome Avatar. I'm a huge Transformers fan since I was kid watching Gen 1 after school, then G.I. Joe afterwards. #3 with Sentinel was the best in my opinion. Can't wait until TRON 3.

Hahaa.. Sentinel Prime had that perfect balance of gravitas and betrayal. TRON 3's been delayed so much I'm almost scared to hope again, lol. Let's hope Daft Punk comes back for the soundtrack. Good catch...

 

[SennaSempre]

MyOS buries key settings under several layers, and many toggles are purely cosmetic. Some options even appear user-controllable, but are overridden by background services like ZdmService

...oh man, not what I like to hear ofcourse. Can I get rid of this ZdmService feature entirely?

Unfortunately, ZTE doesn't offer an official bootloader unlock tool like Xiaomi or OnePlus. Most ZTE models including Nubia are locked by default and require either:
1. Paid unlock from third-party services (which can be risky), or
2. Using EDL mode with test points (requires deep knowledge + USB tool).

How would I find out if my particular model - ZTE Nubia Focus Pro 5G is one of those ones locked?
1. I assume this means that the coder could build a backdoor to get into my phone if I hired them?
2. What is EDL? and I'm not a coder so I could screw up my phone getting into that I'm sure.

Let me guess, set in Playstore? Instead, go to:
Settings > Network Preferences > Auto-update apps > Set to "Don't auto-update Apps"
Also double check:
Settings > Google > Play Protect > Disable "Scan apps" and related toggles.

Hahaa.. Sentinel Prime had that perfect balance of gravitas and betrayal. TRON 3's been delayed so much I'm almost scared to hope again, lol. Let's hope Daft Punk comes back for the soundtrack. Good catch...

well I try to shut down all avenues of settings, so I assumed that I did it correctly in Playstore and in the Settings. But I don't have Network Preferences as a page even when I searched for it, not sure why, its a usual page. I have shutdown all apps updates though before but it didn't take.

I didn't know about Play Protect. I tried to shut it down but it won't let me because it won't take my pin code for what, my device sign in? It doesn't recognize it for some reason. And it won't let me screenshot it either.

Yeah Disney has destroyed the TRON 'possible' franchise. They should have come out with TRON Destiny was supposed to be the 3rd install in 2015 but they totally dropped the ball. Ares better be good and bring in money to get this franchise train going.

GI Joe was another totally blunder, they ruined that since the very first movie. I'm so disappointed there. And bringing back Megatron and not continuing with Galvatron was a terrible, terrible idea along with his stone-age suit, keep the tech look. TF5 had such huge potential but sadly it was the worst in my opinion. Lockdown was the coolest.

 

[Quintessa]

...oh man, not what I like to hear ofcourse. Can I get rid of this ZdmService feature entirely?

ZdmService is ZTE’s system update manager, baked into MyOS. Since it's a system app, it auto-restarts and can't be fully disabled unless:
- You're rooted (which you aren't),
- Or the bootloader is unlocked,
- Or you're using Android Debug Bridge (ADB) to freeze the package temporarily (pm disable-user --user 0 com.zte.zdm), which might revert after reboot or update.

How would I find out if my particular model - ZTE Nubia Focus Pro 5G is one of those ones locked?

ZTE doesn’t publish a list. You’ll have to:
- Boot to fastboot mode (Power + Volume Down)
- Run fastboot oem unlock from PC
If it fails with some error like FAILED (remote: unlock operation is not allowed), etc, then it’s locked hard.

1. I assume this means that the coder could build a backdoor to get into my phone if I hired them?

Yes. Paid services often request physical access or USB debugging, and you're trusting them with full control (not secure unless you're using a trusted local tech).

2. What is EDL? and I'm not a coder so I could screw up my phone getting into that I'm sure.

EDL is Emergency DownLoad mode. It's actually a Qualcomm deep-level recovery method, used mostly by service centers to flash firmware. While the term "EDL" might not be directly used by Unisoc, the T760 does have a corresponding mode for similar functionalities Or EDL-like tools used internally by OEMs/service centers.
It’s not safe for non-coders, and one wrong move bricks the device.

I didn't know about Play Protect. I tried to shut it down but it won't let me because it won't take my pin code for what, my device sign in? It doesn't recognize it for some reason. And it won't let me screenshot it either.

Likely means ZTE or MyOS has a device admin component locking down critical toggles. You can try search: Device Manager or Update Manager on phone settings. If any, disable them.

 

[SennaSempre]

well you gave me alot of good information man, highly-technical data which I have followed very closely and understand fully. but, I've never done any of that before so I'm afraid that I would jeopardize my device.

I've messed around inside the Linux shell trying to shutdown updates there and it was a huge struggle to make that work. My best bet is to find a coder who is friends with a friend and have him do the tasks you've described right infront of me while I feed him beers all day at a barbeque or something.

I don't think I'll be able to get in there to tackle this as you've described. :/