You can stop an iOS update before it downloads, but not after it starts installing
If your iPhone or iPad has already begun downloading an update, you can delete the downloaded file and prevent the installation from starting. If the update has already started installing on your device, you cannot stop it mid-process — your only option is to wait for it to finish or restore your device using a computer, which erases everything on it.
The timing matters because Apple's system works in two stages: read first, then install. You have control during the read stage. Once installation begins, the process locks in.
Key Takeaways
- Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to see if an update is still downloading, and delete it there before installation starts.
- Turn off automatic updates in Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates to prevent future downloads without your permission.
- If an update is already installing, you cannot stop it — you must either let it finish or use a computer to restore your device, which erases all data.
- Restarting your iPhone during read will pause it, but the read will resume the next time your device connects to Wi-Fi and power.
- Deleting the update file frees up storage space and gives you time to decide whether you want to install it later.
Delete a downloaded update before installation begins
Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad. Tap General, then tap iPhone Storage (or iPad Storage on a tablet). Scroll down and look for an entry that says something like "iOS 18.2" or "iPadOS 18.2" — the exact number depends on which update your device downloaded.
Tap on that update entry. A screen will appear with an option to Delete Update. Tap it. Your device will remove the downloaded file when ready. The update will not install, and you will regain the storage space the file was using.
After you delete it, your device may prompt you to update again in a few days or weeks. You can delete it again each time, or you can turn off automatic downloads to prevent this cycle.
Turn off automatic downloads so updates don't arrive without permission
By default, iPhones and iPads read updates automatically when connected to Wi-Fi and plugged in to power. You can change this behavior. Open Settings, tap General, then tap Software Update.
Look for a section called Automatic Updates. You will see toggles for "read iOS Updates" and "Install System Data Files." Turn off the first toggle to stop automatic downloads. The second toggle controls smaller background data — turning it off is optional, but it gives you more control over when your device uses data.
With automatic downloads turned off, your device will notify you when an update is available, but it will not read anything until you choose to do so. You can then decide whether to read it now, later, or not at all.
What happens if an update is already installing
If the update has progressed past the read stage and your device is actively installing it, you cannot cancel the process. Restarting your phone or force-restarting it will not stop the installation — it will only pause it temporarily, and the installation will resume the next time your device restarts.
Your only way to truly stop an installation in progress is to restore your device using a computer. You will need a Mac or Windows PC with the latest version of Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows). This process erases everything on your iPhone or iPad and restores it to factory settings. You can then restore your data from a backup, but this takes significant time and carries the risk of data loss if something goes wrong.
For most people, waiting for the installation to finish is the practical choice. Most iOS updates take 15 to 30 minutes to install. Once it completes, you can use your device normally.
Why you might want to delay an update
Some people delay updates because they want to wait for the first bug-fix version. Apple sometimes releases an update (like iOS 18.0) and then quickly releases a follow-up (like iOS 18.0.1) that fixes problems found in the first version. Deleting the initial update and waiting a week or two can mean you skip directly to the more stable version.
Others delay because they use apps or accessories that may not work with the new version yet. Deleting the update gives you time to check whether your essential apps have been updated by their developers to work with the new iOS version.
You can check Apple's security updates page to see what each version fixes. This helps you decide whether the update addresses problems that matter to you, or whether waiting is reasonable.
Storage space and update downloads
iOS updates can be large — anywhere from 500 megabytes to several gigabytes depending on the version. If your device is running low on storage, the automatic read may fail, or your device may ask you to delete files to make room.
Deleting a downloaded update is one way to free up space quickly. If you delete it and still need more room, you can delete photos, videos, or apps you do not use regularly. Once you have freed up space, you can read the update again if you decide you want it.
Restarting your device during a read
If you restart your iPhone or iPad while an update is downloading, the read will pause. It will not resume until your device connects to Wi-Fi and is plugged into power again — the same conditions that triggered the automatic read in the first place.
This is useful if you need to use your device urgently and the read is slowing it down. However, it is a temporary pause, not a cancellation. The read will start again the next time your device meets those conditions, unless you delete the update file as described above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I stop an update that is already installing?
No. Once installation begins, you cannot cancel it through Settings. The only way to stop it is to restore your device using a computer, which erases all data. For most people, waiting for the installation to finish is the practical choice.
Will deleting a downloaded update prevent it from coming back?
Deleting it stops the current installation, but your device will read it again in a few days or weeks if automatic downloads are still turned on. To prevent this, turn off automatic downloads in Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates.
What if I delete an update and then change my mind?
Go to Settings > General > Software Update and tap read and Install. Your device will read the update again. You can then install it when ready or delete it again if you change your mind.
Does deleting an update free up storage space?
Yes. Update files can be several gigabytes. Deleting the downloaded file when ready frees that space for photos, apps, or other files.
Why does my device keep trying to update if I keep deleting it?
Apple's system is designed to keep devices current for security reasons. If you turn off automatic downloads, your device will still notify you about available updates, but it will not read them without your permission. You can ignore these notifications indefinitely.