Stop an iOS update before it finishes installing
If your iPhone or iPad is downloading or installing an iOS update and you want to stop it, you can cancel it directly from Settings before the installation completes. Once the update finishes installing and your device restarts, you cannot undo it — cancellation only works while the update is still in progress.
The steps differ slightly depending on whether your device is still downloading the update or has already started the installation process. Both can be reversed, but you need to act before the final restart happens.
Key Takeaways
- You can cancel an iOS update while it is downloading or installing, but not after your device has restarted into the new version.
- Go to Settings, then General, then Software Update to see the current status and find the cancel option if one appears.
- If your device is already restarting or showing a progress bar that cannot be stopped, the update has progressed too far to cancel.
- Cancelling an update does not harm your device — it straightforward stops the process and leaves your current iOS version in place.
- If you cancel an update, your device will prompt you to update again the next time it checks for new software.
Cancel an update that is still downloading
If your iPhone or iPad is downloading an iOS update but has not yet started installing it, you can stop the read from Settings. Open Settings, tap General, then tap Software Update. You should see a progress bar showing the read status.
Look for a button or option to cancel or delete the read. On most devices, this appears as a "Cancel" button or an "X" icon next to the read progress. Tap it to stop the read when ready. Your device will delete the partially downloaded update file and return to your current iOS version.
After you cancel, your device will no longer have the update stored locally. The next time your device checks for updates — usually overnight when plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi — it will find the same update again and ask whether you want to read it.
Stop an update that is installing but has not restarted
If the update has moved past the read stage and is now installing, the cancel option may no longer appear in Settings. At this point, your best option is to force your device to shut down before the installation completes and the device restarts on its own.
To force a shutdown, the method depends on your device model. On iPhone X and newer, press and hold the Volume Up button and the Side button together until the power-off slider appears, then drag it to turn off the device. On iPhone 8 and earlier, press and hold the Top (or Side) button until the slider appears. On iPad, the process is the same as your specific iPad model — check Apple's support pages if you are unsure which button combination applies.
Once your device is off, wait at least one minute before turning it back on. When you restart, your device should return to your previous iOS version because the installation was interrupted before completion. However, this method carries a small risk: if the update was already too far along, your device might attempt to resume the installation when it restarts.
What happens if the update has already restarted
If your device has already restarted and is showing the Apple logo with a progress bar, the update is too far along to cancel. At this stage, the installation is happening at a system level that you cannot interrupt from the user interface. You must let the update finish.
Do not force shut down your device during this final stage — doing so can corrupt the installation and leave your device in an unusable state. Instead, keep your device plugged in, connected to Wi-Fi, and let it complete the process, which usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.
Prevent automatic update downloads in the future
If you want to avoid having updates read automatically, you can turn off automatic downloads in Settings. Open Settings, go to General, then tap Software Update, then tap Automatic Updates. Toggle off "read iOS Updates" to stop your device from downloading updates in the background.
With this setting disabled, your device will still notify you when updates are available, but it will not read them without your permission. You can then choose when to read and install updates manually, giving you more control over when your device is occupied with the update process.
Keep in mind that turning off automatic downloads means you are responsible for checking for and installing updates yourself. Security updates are released regularly, and delaying them for too long can leave your device vulnerable to known security issues.
Reasons you might want to cancel an update
Some people cancel updates because they are concerned about bugs in a new iOS version, want to wait for a point release that fixes early problems, or need their device for work and cannot afford downtime. Others cancel because the update is slow on their Wi-Fi connection or their device is running low on storage space.
If you are cancelling because of storage space, know that iOS updates require temporary space during installation — the update file itself plus working space for the installation process. Once the update finishes, the temporary files are deleted and you usually end up with similar or slightly less available storage than before. Cancelling and trying again later will not solve a storage problem unless you delete other files in the meantime.
What to do if cancellation does not work
If you have tried to cancel an update and your device continues installing or restarting, your device may have progressed too far for a normal cancellation. In this case, let the update finish rather than attempting multiple force shutdowns, which can cause real problems.
If the update appears to be stuck — showing the same progress bar for more than an hour, or repeatedly restarting without progressing — your device may have encountered an installation error. Plug it into a computer with iTunes or Finder (depending on your Mac or Windows version), and you may see an option to restore or update through that connection. This is a more involved process, and Apple's support pages have detailed instructions for your specific device model if you reach this point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will cancelling an update damage my iPhone or iPad?
No. Cancelling an update while it is downloading or installing does not harm your device. It straightforward stops the process and leaves your current iOS version in place. Your device will function normally after cancellation. The only risk is if you force shut down during the final restart stage, which can occasionally cause installation errors.
Can I cancel an update after it has finished installing?
No. Once your device has restarted into the new iOS version, the update is complete and cannot be undone. You would need to restore your device to a previous version using a computer and iTunes or Finder, which is a complex process that erases your device. For most people, this is not practical.
If I cancel an update, will I have to update eventually?
Your device will continue to notify you about the update and will read it again automatically if you have automatic downloads enabled. You can keep cancelling, but Apple eventually stops signing older iOS versions, which means you will not be able to avoid updating forever. At some point, you will need to install the new version or stop using that device.
Why is my device trying to update in the middle of the day?
Updates usually read automatically overnight when your device is plugged in and on Wi-Fi, but if you have not restarted in a while, your device may prompt you to install a previously downloaded update. You can dismiss this prompt and choose to update later, or you can cancel the installation if it has already started.
Does cancelling an update use up my storage space?
The update file itself takes up storage while it is downloading, but cancelling the read deletes that file and frees up the space. If you are running low on storage, cancelling can help temporarily, but you will eventually need to update or delete other files to free up permanent space.