You can stop an iOS update before it finishes installing, but not after your device restarts
Once your iPhone or iPad begins downloading an iOS update, you have a window to cancel it — but only while the read and initial installation are happening. The moment your device restarts to complete the update, cancellation is no longer possible. If you see the update screen with a progress bar, you still have time to stop it. If your device has already restarted and is showing the Apple logo or setup screens, the update is locked in and will finish no matter what you do.
The reason for this timing matters: iOS updates happen in two phases. The first phase downloads the update file to your device and begins preparing it. The second phase happens during a restart, when the system applies the update to your actual operating system files. You can interrupt phase one. Phase two cannot be stopped once it starts.
Key Takeaways
- You can cancel an iOS update only while it is downloading or in the early installation stage, before your device restarts.
- Once your device restarts to explore the update, cancellation is impossible and the update will complete.
- Cancelling a read-in-progress requires either force-stopping the installation or connecting to a computer, depending on which screen you see.
- If you cancel an update, your device returns to your previous iOS version and works normally until you choose to update again.
- Restarting your device or losing power during the read phase will also stop the update, though this is riskier than a deliberate cancellation.
How to cancel an update that is still downloading
If you see a progress bar on your screen showing the update downloading, look for a "Cancel" or "Pause" button. On most recent iPhones and iPads, this appears as a button near the bottom of the update screen. Tap it to stop the read when ready. Your device will return to the home screen, and the partially downloaded update file will be removed.
If you do not see a cancel button on the screen you are looking at, try going to Settings, then General, then Software Update. From this screen, you can sometimes see the read progress and find a cancel option. If the read has already moved into the installation phase (where it says "Installing" rather than "Downloading"), your options narrow — you may need to force-restart your device to interrupt the process, which is riskier but sometimes necessary.
Force-restarting means holding down specific buttons to shut off your device without using the normal shutdown process. The button combination depends on your model: on iPhone X and newer, hold the volume up button and the side button together until you see "slide to power off," then release and when ready hold the side button alone until the Apple logo appears. On iPhone 8 and earlier, hold the top (or side) button and the volume down button together until the Apple logo appears. This interrupts the installation, though it carries a small risk of corrupting files if timed badly.
What happens if your device restarts during the update
If your device restarts before you cancel — whether because the installation progressed too far or because you waited too long — the update enters its final phase and cannot be stopped. You will see the Apple logo, possibly a progress bar, and your device will be unusable until the update finishes. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour, depending on the update size and your device speed.
During this restart phase, do not force-restart your device again, do not unplug it, and do not remove the battery (if your device has a removable battery, which most modern iPhones do not). Interrupting this phase can leave your device in an unusable state that requires professional repair or a full restore through a computer.
Cancelling through a computer if your device is stuck
If your iPhone or iPad is stuck on an update screen and you cannot cancel through the device itself, connecting it to a Mac or Windows computer running iTunes or Finder may give you additional options. Plug your device into the computer with a USB cable, open iTunes (on Windows or older Macs) or Finder (on newer Macs), and look for your device in the sidebar.
From the device summary screen, you should see information about the current update. Some versions of iTunes and Finder allow you to click a "Restore" or "Cancel" button from this screen, which can interrupt a stuck update. However, this method does not always work, and attempting it may trigger a full device restore, which erases all data on your device. Only try this if you have a recent backup and are comfortable with the possibility of losing data.
Why you might want to cancel an update
The most common reason to cancel an iOS update is that your device is running low on storage space. iOS updates require temporary space to read and install, and if your device is nearly full, the update may fail or slow your device to an unusable crawl. Cancelling gives you time to delete files, photos, or apps to free up space before trying again.
Another reason is timing: if you need your device for work or school and the update will take your device offline for an hour, cancelling lets you choose a better moment. Updates can also introduce bugs or compatibility problems with apps you rely on, though this is less common with major iOS releases. If you have read reports of serious problems with a specific iOS version, cancelling and waiting for a point release (like 17.1.1 after 17.1) is a reasonable choice.
Battery life is rarely a good reason to cancel. While updates can temporarily affect battery performance, this usually improves within a few days as your device re-indexes files and caches. Cancelling an update to avoid a temporary battery dip means you are missing security fixes and new features.
What to do after you cancel an update
After you successfully cancel an update, your device returns to its previous iOS version and works normally. The update notification will reappear after a few days, asking you to try again. You can dismiss it by tapping "Later" or "Remind Me Later," which delays the notification for a week or more.
If you want to prevent the update from appearing at all, go to Settings, General, Software Update, and look for an option to "Automatic Updates." Turning off automatic updates stops your device from downloading updates in the background, though you will still see notifications asking you to update manually. This gives you full control over when updates happen, but it means you are responsible for remembering to update eventually — security updates especially should not be delayed indefinitely.
If you cancelled because of storage space, delete unnecessary files, photos, or apps, then try the update again. If you cancelled because of timing, straightforward wait until you have an hour when your device can be offline, then go to Settings, General, Software Update, and tap "Install Now."
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel an update after my device has already restarted?
No. Once your device restarts and shows the Apple logo or setup screens, the update is in its final phase and cannot be stopped. Let it finish — interrupting it at this stage can damage your device. The entire process usually takes less than an hour.
Will cancelling an update delete my photos or data?
No. Cancelling an update during the read or early installation phase straightforward removes the incomplete update file and returns your device to normal. All your photos, messages, apps, and settings remain untouched. Only a forced restart during the final installation phase carries any risk to your data.
What if I cancel an update and then my device will not turn on?
This is rare but can happen if you force-restarted during the installation phase. Try connecting your device to a computer and using Finder or iTunes to restore it. If that does not work, your device may need professional service. This is why cancelling through the normal cancel button is safer than force-restarting.
Do I have to update eventually, or can I stay on an old iOS version forever?
You do not have to update when ready, but staying on an old version for years leaves your device vulnerable to security problems. Apple stops supporting old iOS versions after a few years, meaning no more security fixes. Most people should update within a few months of a new version being released.
If I cancel an update, will it try to update again automatically?
Yes, unless you turn off automatic updates in Settings. If automatic updates are on, your device will read the update again in the background, usually at night when plugged in. You can turn off automatic updates to have full control, but you will need to manually update eventually.