Do you know that your computer can get malware through downloads? Sometimes a file will download automatically when you open a website through Chrome. This can be problematic, especially if you visit an unsafe website. So, it is advisable to disable these automatic downloads on your browser. I will show you how to stop automatic downloads on Chrome Android and more in this guide.
Do you have a particular question about stopping automatic downloads on Chrome Android? Then use the table of contents below to jump to the most relevant section. And you can always go back by clicking on the black arrow in the right bottom corner of the page. Also, please note that some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. For more details, check the Disclosure section at the bottom of the page.
Here's what we'll cover:
Why Chrome starts auto-downloads?
Most content downloading sites have a system that initiates an automatic download without your consent. If possible, I advise you to avoid sites that show intrusive ads on every page and start to download files. This is because it can download malicious malware that can make your Chrome start misbehaving or even harm your device.
How do I stop automatic downloads on Chrome on Android?
Here is a tutorial on how to stop downloading in Chrome:
- Go to your chrome browser.
- Click on the three dots on the top-right corner of the page to access the settings.
- Navigate to ‘Automatic download’ and click on the toggle to deactivate it
After doing this, Chrome will stop initiating automatic downloads without your permission.
How to stop Articles for you auto-download in Chrome Android?
‘Articles for you’ are the suggestions that Google Chrome App displays based on the information Google’s AI has collected over time. While most articles are helpful, some are irrelevant and may not match your interests.
If you keep your phone connected to an uninterrupted Wi-Fi connection, Chrome and other apps will continue to run in the background. As a result, they consume data and keep everything up to date. At the same time, articles for you download automatically, taking up your space and data unnecessarily. Thankfully, there is a way to stop downloading in Chrome.
How to hide ‘Articles for you’ in Chrome Android?
There is a way to hide the ‘Articles for you’ if you don’t like them.
- Open the Google Chrome App on your Android phone.
- Navigate to Google Discovery, then ‘Articles for you’ feed
- Click on the Hide command
Remember that this will only hide the ‘Articles for you’ in Chrome Android. However, it will continue to download in the background.
How to completely stop ‘Articles for you’ auto-download on Chrome?
It is important to note that the auto-download only happens when connected to a Wi-Fi network but not on mobile data. Here is an easy guide on how to stop downloading in Chrome on an Android phone.
- Open the Android Chrome app on your Android Phone.
- Click on the three dots to launch the Menu
- Choose the Settings option
- Navigate down and click on the Downloads option
- Toggle the button to Disable the ‘Articles for you’ auto-download
It is as simple as that. The ‘Articles for you’ will stop downloading in Chrome automatically on your Android device. Nonetheless, some suggestions will still be visible as they are refreshed automatically.
How to stop PDFs auto-download on Chrome Android?
- Go to the Google Chrome app on your phone.
- Tap on the three dots at the top right of the browser to open the Menu
- Scroll down and select Settings from the drop-down Menu
- Click on Privacy and settings and then Site settings
- Locate and click on the PDF documents option
- Click on the toggle to switch it off. Note that Chrome will automatically download the PDF file when the toggle is On and displays it on a separate window when the toggle is off.
How to cancel a download in progress on Chrome Android?
Closing the Google Chrome browser or disconnecting from a Wi-Fi will not stop a download in progress. Instead, the process will continue once you relaunch the browser. Here are the steps on how to stop a download on Android.
- Launch Chrome and tap on the Menu icon at the top right corner
- Select Downloads on the drop-down list
- Locate the video you want to cancel and tap on the X button to cancel it.
- The process will be stopped and the file eliminated from the list.
Remember not to leave any download link open on Chrome because it will start another download once you open the app again. So, confirm the running tabs and shut down everything you are no longer using.
Uncontrolled automatic downloads can put your device at risk of contracting a virus or malware. I have shown you different ways to stop downloading in Chrome in this tutorial. This will help to keep you safe and save on space.
Credits: Thanks for the photo to Canva.
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