You can delay iPhone updates, but not block them permanently
Apple does not offer a permanent way to block iOS updates. Your iPhone will eventually read and install the latest version, though you can postpone it for weeks or months using settings that delay the installation. If you want to avoid a specific update, you can refuse to install it when prompted — but once Apple stops signing the older version (usually after the next major release), you cannot go back.
The practical choice is between delaying an update you are not ready for and accepting that it will arrive eventually. How you delay depends on whether you want to prevent automatic installation, stop the read itself, or just buy time before you must update.
Key Takeaways
- Turn off automatic updates in Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates to prevent your iPhone from installing updates without your permission.
- You can delete a downloaded update from Settings > General > iPhone Storage to free space and delay installation, though iOS will read it again later.
- Turning off Wi-Fi and cellular data prevents automatic downloads, but Apple will keep trying to read the update when you reconnect.
- Once Apple stops signing an older iOS version, you cannot downgrade even if you want to — so delaying is temporary, not permanent.
- Major iOS updates arrive once a year; security updates arrive more frequently and cannot be delayed as long.
Turn off automatic installation in Settings
The most reliable way to prevent surprise updates is to disable automatic installation. Open Settings, go to General, then tap Software Update. You will see an option called Automatic Updates with toggles for "read iOS Updates" and "Install iOS Updates." Turn both off.
With both disabled, your iPhone will not read or install updates on its own. You will see a notification when an update is available, but nothing happens until you manually go back to Settings > General > Software Update and tap "Install Now." This gives you full control over when the update happens.
If you turn off only "Install iOS Updates" but leave "read iOS Updates" on, your iPhone will read the update in the background but wait for your permission to install it. This is useful if you want the update ready but do not want it to install at 2 a.m. while you are sleeping.
Delete a downloaded update to buy time
If an update has already downloaded to your iPhone, you can delete it to prevent installation. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Scroll down and look for the iOS update listed by version number — for example, "iOS 17.4.1." Tap it and select "Delete Update."
Deleting the update removes the file from your phone and frees up storage space. However, Apple will attempt to read it again, usually within a few days. This approach buys you time if you need to delay an update for a specific reason — such as waiting for an app you rely on to become compatible — but it is not a permanent solution.
If you delete an update and then turn off automatic downloads in Settings, your iPhone will not re-read it unless you manually check for updates or connect to Wi-Fi and let it sit idle for a while.
Disconnect from Wi-Fi to prevent automatic downloads
Automatic updates read over Wi-Fi by default, not cellular data. If you keep Wi-Fi turned off or avoid connecting to trusted networks, your iPhone cannot read updates automatically. This works as long as you stay disconnected, but it is inconvenient if you need Wi-Fi for other things.
The moment you reconnect to Wi-Fi — even briefly — your iPhone may start downloading the update again if automatic downloads are still enabled. This method is most useful as a temporary measure, such as delaying an update for a few days while you finish a project that depends on the current iOS version.
Turning off Wi-Fi entirely is not practical for most people, so combining this with the Settings approach (turning off automatic downloads) is more reliable.
Understand why Apple keeps pushing updates
Apple releases security updates regularly to patch vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. These updates are not optional in the way a feature update might be — they close holes in your phone's defenses. iOS also receives major updates once a year, usually in September, which add new features and change how the system works.
Apple stops signing older iOS versions after a few weeks or months, which means you cannot downgrade even if you want to. Once the version you are running is no longer signed, you must update to the current version or a recent one. This is why delaying is temporary: eventually, you will have no choice.
If you have a specific reason to avoid an update — such as an app that breaks under the new version — check the app developer's website or social media to see if they have released a fix. Most major apps update within days of a new iOS release.
What happens if you refuse to update for months
If you disable automatic updates and ignore the notifications, your iPhone will keep working on the current iOS version. However, you will see persistent reminders to update, and you will miss security patches that protect against newly discovered threats.
After Apple releases the next major iOS version (usually in September), the version you are running will stop receiving security updates. At that point, your phone becomes increasingly vulnerable. You can still use it, but you are exposed to known exploits.
Eventually, Apple will stop signing your iOS version entirely, and you will be forced to update. You cannot stay on an old version forever — the signing window typically lasts several months, but not years.
Use a Mac or computer to manage updates if you need more control
If you connect your iPhone to a Mac or Windows computer using Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows), you can see available updates and choose when to install them. This gives you a second layer of control: you can delay updates on the phone itself and also manage them from the computer.
Connecting to a computer does not prevent updates entirely, but it lets you install them on your schedule rather than Apple's. Some people use this method when they travel or work on time-sensitive projects and want to avoid the restart that comes with a major update.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I block iOS updates permanently?
No. Apple will eventually stop signing older iOS versions, which forces you to update. You can delay updates for weeks or months, but not indefinitely. Once the version you are running is no longer signed, updating becomes mandatory if you want to use your phone.
Will my iPhone stop working if I do not update?
No. Your iPhone will continue to work on an older iOS version. However, you will miss security patches, and you may experience compatibility issues with newer apps. After several months, you will be forced to update because Apple stops signing old versions.
What is the difference between deleting an update and turning off automatic updates?
Deleting an update removes a file that has already downloaded, freeing storage space. Turning off automatic updates prevents your iPhone from downloading or installing updates without your permission. Both delay updates, but turning off automatic updates is more permanent.
Do security updates have to be installed right away?
Security updates patch vulnerabilities, so installing them sooner is safer than waiting. However, you can delay them using the same methods as feature updates — turning off automatic installation and manually choosing when to install. Apple typically signs security updates for longer than major versions.
If I update my iPhone, can I go back to the old version?
Only if Apple is still signing the old version, which is usually only for a few weeks after a new update releases. Once Apple stops signing it, downgrading is not possible. This is why delaying an update you are unsure about is safer than updating and hoping to revert.