You can stop an iPhone update before it finishes, but your options depend on when you catch it
If an update is downloading, you can pause or cancel it from Settings before installation begins. If the update has already started installing on your device, you cannot stop it mid-process — your only option is to let it finish or force a restart, which may leave your phone in an unusable state until you complete the update anyway. The safest approach is to catch it during the download phase.
The method changes slightly depending on whether you initiated the update yourself or your iPhone started it automatically. Automatic updates typically happen overnight when your phone is plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi, so you may not realize one is running until morning.
Key Takeaways
- You can cancel an update during the download phase by going to Settings > General > Software Update and tapping "Cancel" if that option appears.
- Once installation begins, you cannot stop it — forcing a restart during installation may corrupt your system and force you to restore your phone anyway.
- Automatic updates can be turned off entirely in Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates, though Apple will continue to prompt you to update manually.
- If your phone gets stuck during an update, you will need to connect it to a computer with Finder or iTunes and restore it, which erases the device.
- Deleting the update file from Settings does not prevent your phone from downloading it again on the next Wi-Fi connection.
How to cancel a download before installation starts
Open Settings and tap General, then Software Update. If your phone is currently downloading an update, you should see a progress bar with a percentage. Look for a "Cancel" or "Pause" button — the exact label depends on your iOS version, but it will appear near the download progress.
Tap that button to stop the download. Your phone will delete the partially downloaded file. The next time your phone connects to Wi-Fi, it may begin downloading the update again automatically, especially if you have automatic updates turned on. If you want to prevent this, you will need to disable automatic updates in the same Settings menu.
If you do not see a cancel option and the screen shows "Preparing to Install" or "Installing," the download phase has ended and installation has begun. At that point, cancellation is no longer possible through the Settings menu.
Turning off automatic updates to prevent future downloads
Go to Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates. You will see toggles for "Download iOS Updates" and "Install iOS Updates." Turn both off if you want to prevent your phone from downloading and installing updates without your permission.
With automatic downloads disabled, your phone will still notify you when an update is available, but it will not download it in the background. You can then choose to download it manually when it suits you, or ignore the notification. However, Apple will continue to send you reminders, and some updates may eventually become mandatory for security reasons.
Turning off automatic installation but leaving automatic downloads on means your phone will download updates overnight but wait for your permission before installing them. This is a middle ground if you want updates ready but do not want your phone restarting unexpectedly.
What happens if you force restart during an update
If you hold down the power button and force your iPhone to shut down while an update is installing, you risk leaving your phone in a corrupted state. The update files may be partially written to your system, making your phone unable to boot normally.
In most cases, your phone will attempt to resume the update the next time you turn it on. If it cannot resume, you will see a recovery screen prompting you to connect to a computer. At that point, you will need to use Finder (on Mac) or iTunes (on Windows) to restore your phone, which erases all data and reinstalls iOS from scratch. This is why forcing a restart is a last resort, not a cancellation method.
Recovering a phone stuck during an update
If your iPhone is frozen on an update screen and will not respond to button presses, you will need to force it into recovery mode. The steps vary by iPhone model: for iPhone 8 and newer, quickly press and release the Volume Up button, then quickly press and release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side button until you see the recovery screen.
Once in recovery mode, connect your phone to a Mac or Windows computer with Finder or iTunes open. Choose "Restore" when prompted. This will erase your phone and download a fresh copy of iOS. The process takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on your internet speed and which iOS version you are installing. You will need to set up your phone again afterward, though you can restore from a backup if you have one.
Why deleting the update file does not prevent re-downloads
Some users try to free up storage space by deleting the downloaded update file from Settings > General > iPhone Storage. While this does remove the file temporarily, it does not prevent your phone from downloading it again.
If you have automatic downloads enabled, your phone will re-download the update the next time it connects to Wi-Fi while plugged in. If you want to stop this cycle, you must disable automatic downloads in Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates, not just delete the file.
Checking if an update is still downloading or already installing
Go to Settings > General > Software Update. The screen will tell you the current status. If it shows a percentage with a progress bar, the download is still in progress and you can cancel it. If it shows "Preparing to Install," "Installing," or a message about your phone restarting, the installation phase has begun and cancellation is not possible.
Some iPhones show a banner at the top of the Settings app saying "Software Update Available" with a red notification badge. This means the update has been downloaded but not yet installed, and you can still delete it or wait to install it on your schedule. Once you tap "Install Now" or your phone restarts to begin installation, you have passed the point of no return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel an update after my iPhone has restarted?
No. Once your phone restarts to begin the installation phase, the update will complete. Restarting is part of the installation process, not a separate step. If you force your phone off during this phase, you risk corruption.
Will my iPhone update itself if I turn off automatic updates?
Your phone will not download or install updates automatically, but Apple will continue to send you notifications. Some critical security updates may eventually become mandatory, and your phone may prompt you more aggressively as time passes, but you will not be forced to update immediately.
What should I do if my phone is stuck on the Apple logo during an update?
Wait at least 15 minutes — some updates take longer than expected. If it is still stuck after that, force your phone into recovery mode by following the button sequence for your model, then connect to a computer and restore it using Finder or iTunes.
Does canceling an update delete my data?
Canceling a download does not delete any of your data. Only forcing a restart during installation or using the Restore function in Finder erases your phone. Canceling before installation starts is completely safe.
Can I schedule an update to install at a specific time?
iOS does not have a built-in scheduler for updates. You can manually download an update and then choose when to install it by tapping "Install Now," but you cannot set it to install at a specific hour. Your phone will remind you periodically if an update is waiting to be installed.