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Tired of Unwanted iPhone Updates? Here’s the Fail-Proof Way to Block iOS 26 and Take Back Control Today
Have you ever woken up to find your iPhone has a completely new look and feel? Sometimes, this happens because Apple automatically updates your device to the newest iOS version. While updates can be exciting, you might want to wait. Maybe you need to make sure your important apps still work, or you just like things the way they are. You are in control, and you can tell your iPhone not to update by itself.
This guide will show you how to turn off automatic updates. It is easy, and you can always change your mind later.
Why You Might Want to Stop an Automatic Update
New updates from Apple, like the imagined iOS 26, can bring big changes. Sometimes these changes are great, but other times they can cause problems. Here are a few reasons why you might want to stop your iPhone from updating on its own:
- App Problems: Some of your favorite apps might not work right away with a new iOS. It can take time for the people who make the apps to catch up.
- You Like It How It Is: If you are happy with your iPhone just the way it is, you might not want a new design, like the rumored “Liquid Glass” interface, to change everything.
- Saving a Good Version: Sometimes, a new update can have bugs or issues that make your iPhone work less smoothly. By waiting, you can see if other people have problems before you update.
- Not Enough Time: You might be too busy to deal with learning a new system. It is okay to wait until you have more time.
Stopping the automatic update does not mean you can never get it. It just means you get to decide when it is the right time for you.
How to Stop Your iPhone From Updating by Itself
You can stop your iPhone or iPad from automatically installing new software with a few simple steps. This gives you the power to choose when to update.
- Open Your Settings: Find the gray gear icon on your home screen labeled “Settings” and tap on it. This is where you control how your iPhone works.
- Go to General: Inside Settings, scroll down a little and tap on “General.” This section has controls for many basic functions of your phone.
- Find Software Update: In the General menu, tap on “Software Update.” This is where your iPhone tells you about new updates and where you can manage them.
- Turn Off Automatic Updates: Tap on “Automatic Updates.” You will see a few switches. The most important one is “iOS Updates” under the “Automatically Install” section. Tap the switch to turn it off. It will go from green to gray.
That is it! Your iPhone will no longer install a new iOS version overnight without asking you first. The same steps work for an iPad, but the label will say “iPadOS Updates” instead.
What Happens When You Turn Off Automatic Updates?
When you turn off automatic updates, your iPhone will not surprise you with a new operating system. You will not wake up to a completely different look, like the so-called “Liquid Glass” interface, unless you choose to install it.
Your iPhone might still download the update file in the background, which takes up space. If you want to stop that too, you can turn off the “Download iOS Updates” switch in the same “Automatic Updates” menu.
When you are ready to update, you can go back to “Software Update” and do it yourself. You have all the control.
You Are the Boss of Your iPhone
Not everyone wants the newest thing right away. It is smart to be careful with big updates. There is no need to rush. You can wait and see what other people think about the new iOS. The update will always be there for you when you decide you want it.
If you ever change your mind and want your iPhone to update by itself again, you can just go back and turn the “Automatic Updates” switch back on. It is your phone, and you get to make the rules. By following these steps, you can make sure your iPhone works just the way you want it to.