An application proxy is disposed between a user device and an application server. The application server supports an application that is available on the user device. The user device registers with the application proxy for the application. The user device is prevented from transmitting application update request messages to the application server. The application proxy transmits application update request messages to the application server on behalf of the user device. The application proxy receives application update response messages from the application server. The application proxy determines, based on the application update response messages from the application server, whether to send an application update notification message toward the user device. In this manner, application update traffic normally transmitted via the network between the user device and the application proxy is reduced. The application update request and response messages may be polling messages, keep-alive messages, and the like.