diff --git a/telethon/client/telegrambaseclient.py b/telethon/client/telegrambaseclient.py
index e8192d73..494daf9c 100644
--- a/telethon/client/telegrambaseclient.py
+++ b/telethon/client/telegrambaseclient.py
@@ -199,6 +199,15 @@ class TelegramBaseClient(abc.ABC):
             If a `str` is given, it'll be passed to `logging.getLogger()`. If a
             `logging.Logger` is given, it'll be used directly. If something
             else or nothing is given, the default logger will be used.
+
+        receive_updates (`bool`, optional):
+            Whether the client will receive updates or not. By default, updates
+            will be received from Telegram as they occur.
+
+            Turning this off means that Telegram will not send updates at all
+            so event handlers, conversations, and QR login will not work.
+            However, certain scripts don't need updates, so this will reduce
+            the amount of bandwidth used.
     """
 
     # Current TelegramClient version
@@ -234,7 +243,9 @@ class TelegramBaseClient(abc.ABC):
             lang_code: str = 'en',
             system_lang_code: str = 'en',
             loop: asyncio.AbstractEventLoop = None,
-            base_logger: typing.Union[str, logging.Logger] = None):
+            base_logger: typing.Union[str, logging.Logger] = None,
+            receive_updates: bool = True
+    ):
         if not api_id or not api_hash:
             raise ValueError(
                 "Your API ID or Hash cannot be empty or None. "
@@ -388,6 +399,7 @@ class TelegramBaseClient(abc.ABC):
         self._updates_handle = None
         self._last_request = time.time()
         self._channel_pts = {}
+        self._no_updates = not receive_updates
 
         if sequential_updates:
             self._updates_queue = asyncio.Queue()
diff --git a/telethon/client/updates.py b/telethon/client/updates.py
index 5bdf5893..bcc983f3 100644
--- a/telethon/client/updates.py
+++ b/telethon/client/updates.py
@@ -32,6 +32,17 @@ class UpdateMethods:
         finally:
             await self.disconnect()
 
+    async def set_receive_updates(self: 'TelegramClient', receive_updates):
+        """
+        Change the value of `receive_updates`.
+
+        This is an `async` method, because in order for Telegram to start
+        sending updates again, a request must be made.
+        """
+        self._no_updates = not receive_updates
+        if receive_updates:
+            await self(functions.updates.GetStateRequest())
+
     def run_until_disconnected(self: 'TelegramClient'):
         """
         Runs the event loop until the library is disconnected.
diff --git a/telethon/client/users.py b/telethon/client/users.py
index 7881cbd9..22db969e 100644
--- a/telethon/client/users.py
+++ b/telethon/client/users.py
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ class UserMethods:
                 else:
                     raise errors.FloodWaitError(request=r, capture=diff)
 
-            if not self._event_builders and not self._conversations:
+            if self._no_updates:
                 r = functions.InvokeWithoutUpdatesRequest(r)
 
         request_index = 0