You can delay iOS updates, but you cannot permanently disable them

Apple does not offer a way to turn off iOS updates entirely. Your iPhone or iPad will eventually push you toward the latest version. What you can do is postpone the update for weeks or months by adjusting your settings, declining notifications, and managing your storage. This matters because major iOS updates sometimes introduce bugs, drain battery faster, or slow older devices — and you may want to wait for a point release that fixes those problems before updating.

The methods below work on iPhones and iPads running iOS 16 and later. Older versions have slightly different settings, but the basic principle is the same: you control the timing, not whether the update happens.

Key Takeaways

  • You can delay iOS updates by turning off automatic downloads and declining update notifications, but Apple will eventually require the update for security reasons.
  • Filling your device storage to near capacity slows down the update process and buys you time, since iOS needs free space to read and install.
  • Turning off Wi-Fi and cellular data when update notifications appear prevents the read from starting automatically.
  • If you have an older device, waiting a few weeks after a major update releases often lets Apple fix the worst bugs in point releases like 17.0.1 or 17.0.2.

Turn off automatic iOS downloads in Settings

Open Settings on your device, then go to General and tap Software Update. Look for the option labeled Automatic Updates or Install iOS Updates (the exact wording varies by iOS version). Toggle it off. This prevents your phone from downloading and installing updates in the background while you sleep or charge.

With automatic updates off, your device will still notify you that an update is available, but it will not read or install without your permission. You remain in control of when the read begins. This is the single most effective setting to change if you want to postpone an update.

Decline the update notification and do not open Settings

When iOS notifies you that an update is ready, you will see a popup or banner. Tap Remind Me Later instead of Update Now or Install. Your device will ask again in a few days, but you can keep declining. Do not tap into the Software Update section of Settings unless you intend to update, because some iOS versions will begin the read if you open that menu.

Apple eventually stops asking and straightforward waits. You can go weeks or months without seeing a notification if you consistently decline. However, security updates — patches for serious vulnerabilities — may override this behavior and push you harder to install.

Fill your storage to reduce available space

iOS needs free storage to read and install updates. If your device has less than 2 to 3 gigabytes available, the update cannot proceed. You can buy time by filling your storage with photos, videos, or large files. This is not a permanent block, but it slows the process and gives you a reason to delay without fighting notifications.

To check your storage, open Settings, tap General, then iPhone Storage (or iPad Storage

Turn off Wi-Fi and cellular when the update downloads

If you see that an update has started downloading, when ready turn off Wi-Fi and disable cellular data. Open Control Center (swipe down from the top right on newer iPhones, or up from the bottom on older ones) and tap the Wi-Fi icon to disconnect. Then tap the cellular icon to turn off mobile data. The read will pause and may cancel if it has not progressed far.

This works best if you catch the read early. Once the update is fully downloaded and the installation begins, disconnecting will not stop it. But if you act quickly, you can interrupt the process and buy yourself more time.

Understand that security updates may override your choices

Apple treats critical security patches differently from feature updates. If a serious vulnerability is discovered — one that affects banking apps, messaging, or device security — Apple may force the update even if you have disabled automatic downloads. You may see more aggressive notifications, and the update may install without waiting for your permission.

This is intentional. Apple prioritizes security over user choice because an unpatched device can be compromised. If you see repeated notifications about a security update, it is safer to install it than to keep delaying. Feature updates like iOS 18 or iOS 19 are less critical and easier to postpone, but security patches are harder to avoid long-term.

Wait a few weeks if you have an older device

If your iPhone or iPad is three or more years old, waiting two to four weeks after a major iOS release is often worth it. Apple releases point updates like 17.0.1 and 17.0.2 in the weeks after a major version to fix battery drain, crashes, and performance problems that affect older hardware. Delaying gives those fixes time to arrive.

You can check what version is current by opening Settings, General, Software Update. If the version number ends in .0 (like 17.0), a point release is likely coming soon. If it ends in .1 or higher, the major bugs have probably been addressed and it is safer to update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I go back to an older iOS version after updating?

No. Apple does not allow downgrading to previous iOS versions. Once you update, you are stuck on that version until the next update is released. This is why waiting to update matters — you cannot undo it if the new version causes problems on your device.

Will my phone stop working if I never update?

Eventually, yes. Apps will stop supporting old iOS versions, and some features will break. But you can typically delay for several months without losing core functionality. Security vulnerabilities are the real risk — an unpatched device becomes easier to hack over time.

Does deleting the update notification stop it from coming back?

No. Swiping away a notification removes it from your screen but does not prevent future notifications. Apple will send another notification in a few days. Turning off automatic updates in Settings is the only way to stop the notifications from triggering downloads.

What happens if I ignore an update for six months?

Your device will keep notifying you, and some apps may stop working or show warnings. Apple may also prevent you from using certain features until you update. Security patches will become increasingly urgent. Most people find it easier to update after a few weeks than to fight notifications for months.

Can I update only security patches and skip feature updates?

No. iOS does not separate security patches from feature updates. When you update, you get both. Some Android devices offer this choice, but Apple bundles them together.