You can cancel an iPhone update before it installs, but your options depend on when you catch it
If you see an update notification and want to stop it, you have a narrow window to act. Once iOS starts downloading, you can delete the read and postpone the update. Once installation begins, you cannot stop it — the phone will finish the process. The steps differ depending on whether the update is sitting in your notifications, actively downloading, or already installing.
The key is speed. Updates often read automatically on Wi-Fi, so checking your phone regularly gives you the best chance to intervene before the installation prompt appears. After that point, your only real option is to let the update finish and then manage your settings to prevent automatic updates in the future.
Key Takeaways
- You can cancel a read by going to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and deleting the update file before installation starts.
- Once iOS begins installing, you cannot stop it — the phone will complete the update even if you force it off.
- Turning off automatic updates in Settings > General > Software Update prevents your phone from downloading updates without your permission.
- If an update is already installing and your phone restarts, do not unplug it or force it off, as this can corrupt the system.
- Delaying an update notification gives you a few days to decide, but the phone will eventually prompt you again.
Canceling a read that hasn't started installing yet
If you see the update notification but the installation hasn't begun, you can remove the downloaded file. Open Settings, tap General, then tap iPhone Storage. Scroll down until you see the iOS update listed — it will show a version number like "iOS 17.4.1" and the file size in gigabytes. Tap it, then tap Delete Update. The file disappears from your phone when ready.
This action only removes the downloaded file. It does not prevent your phone from downloading the update again later, usually the next time you connect to Wi-Fi overnight. If you want to stop the automatic read from happening again, you need to change your settings separately — see the section below on turning off automatic updates.
After you delete the update, your phone may still show a notification asking you to install iOS. You can dismiss this notification by tapping "Later" or swiping it away. The notification will return in a few days, but you have bought yourself time to decide whether to update.
What happens if installation has already started
Once your phone begins installing the update — you will see a progress bar and a message saying "Installing Update" — you cannot cancel it. The installation process is designed to complete no matter what you do. Forcing your phone off, removing the battery (if possible), or unplugging it during installation can corrupt the system files and leave your phone unable to start up properly.
The safest approach is to let the update finish. Most installations take 15 to 30 minutes. Your phone will restart several times during this process, which is normal. Do not interrupt it. Once the update completes, your phone will boot into the new iOS version and you can use it normally.
If your phone gets stuck on the installation screen for more than an hour, or if it restarts repeatedly without progressing, you may have a genuine problem. In that case, connect your phone to a computer with iTunes or Finder and follow Apple's recovery process, but this is rare and should only be attempted after the installation has clearly stalled.
Turning off automatic updates to prevent future downloads
By default, iPhones read updates automatically when connected to Wi-Fi and plugged in. To stop this behavior, open Settings, tap General, then tap Software Update. Tap Automatic Updates, then turn off the toggle next to "read iOS Updates." This prevents your phone from downloading updates in the background.
You can also turn off "Install iOS Updates" in the same menu if you want to read updates manually but prevent automatic installation. With this setting off, your phone will read updates but wait for you to tap Install before proceeding. This gives you more control over when your phone restarts and becomes unavailable.
Keep in mind that turning off automatic updates means you are responsible for checking for and installing updates yourself. Security updates patch vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit, so leaving your phone unpatched for months creates real risk. A reasonable middle ground is to turn off automatic installation but leave automatic downloads on, so updates are ready when you choose to install them.
Delaying an update notification without deleting the file
When you see the "Install Now" or "Install Tonight" notification, you do not have to act when ready. Tap "Later" or swipe the notification away. Your phone will remind you again in a few days. This approach leaves the update file on your phone but gives you time to back up your data, finish important work, or straightforward decide whether you want to update.
Delaying is different from canceling. The update file remains on your phone taking up storage space, and the notification will return. If you know you do not want this update at all, deleting the file is better than repeatedly dismissing the notification. But if you are just not ready yet, delaying buys you time without requiring you to re-read the update later.
Eventually, usually after several days of reminders, your phone may force the installation. This typically happens when Apple considers the update critical for security. At that point, you will see a message saying the update will install at a specific time, and you cannot postpone further.
Why you might want to wait before updating
New iOS versions occasionally introduce bugs that affect specific features or devices. If you rely on a particular app or function, waiting a week or two after a major update releases gives Apple time to identify and fix problems through point releases like 17.4.1 or 17.4.2. Checking online forums or tech news sites for reports of issues with your device model can help you decide whether to wait.
Updates also require storage space — usually 2 to 5 gigabytes depending on the version. If your phone is nearly full, the update may fail or leave you with very little free space afterward. Deleting photos, videos, or apps before updating prevents this problem. You can always re-read apps later, and photos backed up to iCloud do not take up local storage.
Battery drain sometimes increases temporarily after a major update as the system indexes files and processes data. If you are in the middle of a busy day or traveling without access to a charger, waiting until evening or the next day to update makes sense. Just remember that delaying too long leaves your phone vulnerable to security issues.
Recovering if something goes wrong during an update
If your phone gets stuck during an update, shows an error message, or will not turn on after an update attempt, you can use Recovery Mode to restore the system. Connect your phone to a computer running iTunes (on older Macs or Windows PCs) or Finder (on newer Macs). Press and hold the power button and volume down button together until you see the recovery screen, then follow the on-screen prompts to restore your phone.
Recovery Mode will erase your phone and reinstall iOS from scratch, so you lose any data not backed up to iCloud. This is why backing up before major updates matters. If you have a recent iCloud backup, you can restore your apps, photos, and settings after the recovery process completes. If you do not have a backup, you will need to set up your phone as new.
Most update problems resolve on their own if you straightforward let the phone sit and try again. If you see an error code, writing it down and searching Apple's support site for that specific code often points to a solution. Contacting Apple Support or visiting an Apple Store is the right move if the problem persists after recovery mode.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel an update if my phone is already restarting?
No. Once your phone restarts as part of the update process, the installation continues automatically. Do not force it off or unplug it. Let it finish restarting and installing, which usually takes 15 to 30 minutes total. Interrupting this process can damage the system.
Will deleting the update file stop my phone from downloading it again?
Deleting the file removes it from your phone, but your phone will read it again the next time you connect to Wi-Fi if automatic updates are still on. To prevent re-downloading, turn off automatic updates in Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates.
What if I see "Install Tonight" but I do not want to update?
Tap "Later" to dismiss the notification. If you want to prevent the update entirely, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, find the iOS update file, and tap Delete Update. The notification will stop appearing once the file is gone.
Does canceling an update affect my phone's performance?
No. Canceling or deleting a downloaded update does not harm your phone. It straightforward removes the file. Your phone continues to work normally until you install a new update or the next one downloads.
Why does my phone keep asking me to update even after I tap Later?
Apple sends repeated reminders because updates include security patches. After several days of reminders, your phone may force the installation. To stop the reminders entirely, delete the update file from iPhone Storage rather than just dismissing the notification.