Android users frequently complain about the ConfigUpdater app that it stops working unexpectedly. They aren’t sure if it’s a virus that infected their device or an important system application.
Some websites claim that the ConfigUpdater app updates the .ini configuration files of certain apps inside the config.xml file but we have found this to be wrong information.
That’s why we have written this article to explain the real purpose of the ConfigUpdater app, why does it keep stopping and how to fix the stopping issue.
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What is the ConfigUpdater App on Android and What Does it Do?
ConfigUpdater is a preinstalled Android system application that automatically updates your device’s Digital Certificates, System Firewall Configuration, Time Zones, and Security Enhanced Linux(SELinux) to keep the device secure.
This app is present in most Android devices including Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, etc., and is required for device security. The package name of the ConfigUpdater.apk file is com.google.android.configupdater.
Digital Certificates are used for user identification and authentication as well as to check the security level while using other networks. ConfigUpdater updates digital certificates to ensure that new apps and browsers can authenticate your device and there are no security issues while accessing them.
Android Security Suite has a Firewall that controls which apps are allowed access to the Internet and this Firewall frequently downloads configuration updates with the help of ConfigUpdater to include new apps that should or shouldn’t be allowed internet access.
SELinux is a part of the Android Security model which is built into the Linux Kernel. It is an access control system that enforces mandatory access control resource policies to define the access level of users and processes on an Android system with or without root privileges.
Is ConfigUpdater a Virus or Is It Safe?
Some users see the ConfigUpdater app causing issues on their device and think that it is some sort of Virus but it’s totally False. ConfigUpdater is not a Virus or Malware. Some Antiviruses show this app as a Virus but that’s because it hasn’t been added to their trusted apps list.
ConfigUpdater is a safe application that downloads security updates for certificates, firewall configurations, and SELinux. It doesn’t cause any intentional damage to your device and it most definitely doesn’t spy on your data or sell it to third parties so it is not a Virus or Spyware.
Since this app uses your cellular data to download updates and also uses your system resources, users feel that it’s Bloatware but in reality, it is not. Cellular data and CPU resources are only used while checking for updates and downloading them.
ConfigUpdater Has Stopped?
The ConfigUpdater has an issue where it suddenly stops working and triggers error messages like “Unfortunately ConfigUpdater Has Stopped” or “ConfigUpdater Has Stopped Working.”
There are several reasons why the ConfigUpdater app can stop working:
1. Corrupted or Overloaded Cache Files – If you don’t clear the app cache for a long time the cache files become corrupt. The cache file storage folder has limited storage space so when the size of the cache files becomes more than what could be stored, the cache files become overloaded and cause the app to malfunction which leads to these error messages.
2. Issue With the App – If there is an internal issue with the ConfigUpdater app then it could stop the app from functioning properly which leads to such error messages.
3. Firmware issue – This app could stop working if there are issues with your device’s Firmware. The error messages could also be triggered if you’re using a Custom Firmware instead of the Stock Firmware.
How to Fix ConfigUpdater Has Stopped Error Message?
Now that you know the reasons why this app stops working it’s time to find out how to solve this issue. To fix ConfigUpdater Has Stopped issue, follow these solutions:
Clear ConfigUpdater App Cache and App Data
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps.
- Tap the Ellipsis icon(three vertical dots) in the upper right corner.
- Tap Show System Apps or Show System Processes.
- Locate the ConfigUpdater app from the list and tap on it.
- Tap Storage.
- Tap Clear Cache.
- Tap Clear Data.
Force Stop the ConfigUpdater App
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Apps.
- Tap the Ellipsis icon(three vertical dots) in the upper right corner.
- Tap Show System Apps or Show System Processes.
- Tap the ConfigUpdater app.
- Tap Force Stop.
Flash Stock ROM(Firmware)
Flashing the Stock ROM(Firmware) can help you get rid of this error message. It is a complicated process so use it only if the other methods didn’t work for you.
First, you have to download the Stock Firmware files for your Android device and then you’ll need a flashing tool to flash the Stock Firmware.
Samsung users can flash Stock ROM using the Samsung Odin flashing tool whereas other Android users can use the SP Flash tool.
Disable ConfigUpdater App Using Package Disabler Pro
Package Disabler Pro is a package disabler app that can disable built-in system apps which cannot be disabled normally. Here are the steps to disable this app.
- Download and Install the Package Disabler Pro app on your Android device.
- Search for “ConfigUpdater” by tapping the Search button in the top bar.
- Select the ConfigUpdater app and tap Disable.
- Confirm your decision by selecting “Yes.”
What Permissions Does ConfigUpdater Require?
The ConfigUpdater doesn’t require any permissions to run on your device. You can check the permissions used by going to Settings > Apps > Show System Apps > ConfigUpdater > Permissions. You will find under the permissions section “No Permissions Required.”
Can You Uninstall ConfigUpdater?
You can uninstall ConfigUpdater using the Android Debug Bridge(ADB) software or using the Titanium Backup app but both these methods are complicated. ADB doesn’t require rooting but you have to run ADB commands whereas Titanium Backup requires you to root your Android device.
It is better to not uninstall the ConfigUpdater app because if you remove it then your device won’t automatically update new Certificates, Firewall Configuration, and SELinux which could lead to security issues in the future.
If you disable or uninstall this app then you’ll have to manually download the updates for the above mentioned system apps and processes from your device manufacturer’s website.
However, if you are sure that you want to uninstall this application then you can use the two methods mentioned below.
1. Uninstall ConfigUpdater using ADB
ADB allows you to bring up a Unix shell so you can issue commands directly on the Android device. You’ll need a Windows PC to use ADB.
Step 1 – Go to Settings > System > About phone.
Step 2 – Tap on the Build number 7 times to activate Developer Options.
Step 3 – Go back to the main Settings menu and tap on Developer Options to open it.
Step 4 – Enable USB debugging by tapping on it.
Step 5 – Download ADB on your PC.
Step 6 – Extract the ZIP file into a folder.
Step 7 – After extracting the ZIP file, open that folder.
Step 8 – Press and hold the shift button and right-click in a blank area.
Step 9 – Click on “Open Powershell window here.”
Step 10 – Enter the command adb devices
Step 11 – Connect your Android device to the PC using a USB data cable.
Step 12 – Type the command adb shell pm uninstall –user 0 com.google.android.configupdater and press Enter to run this command. Wait for a few seconds and you’ll notice the app has been uninstalled from your device.
2. Uninstall ConfigUpdater Using Titanium Backup
This method requires you to gain root access to your device. If you don’t know how to root your Android device then check our Android Rooting guide. After gaining root access follow the steps below to uninstall this system app.
Step 1 – Download and install the Titanium Backup application.
Step 2 – Launch the Titanium Backup application, search for ConfigUpdater and select this app by tapping on it.
Step 3 – Tap Un-install to completely uninstall the app and delete its data from your device.
ConfigUpdater Using Data?
The ConfigUpdater app uses cellular data to scan and download updates for Digital Certificates, Firewall Configuration, Time Zone information, and SELinux.
This app generally has very little data usage and it only consumes a high amount of data while downloading updates. When it’s not scanning for or downloading updates it doesn’t consume any data.
ConfigUpdater Running in the Background?
The ConfigUpdater app runs in the background only when it’s scanning for new updates or downloading new updates for the installed digital certificates, Firewall, and SELinux.
This app normally doesn’t run in the background continuously. If you see this app running in the background it means that the app is scanning or downloading an update.
You can replace the function of this app by manually downloading any updates by going to Settings > System Updates. However, it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be able to download updates for certificates and other system processes.
Some people complain about this app’s high battery consumption but it occurs when updates are being downloaded. Normally, it doesn’t consume battery charge so you won’t face any high battery consumption or battery draining issues.