You can stop an iPhone update before it finishes installing, but your options depend on when you catch it

If an update is actively downloading or installing on your iPhone, you can cancel it by going to Settings > General > Software Update and tapping Cancel — but only while the download is in progress or before the installation begins. Once your iPhone restarts to begin the actual installation, you cannot stop it without risking serious problems. If you have already seen the "Install Now" or "Install Tonight" screen and your phone has restarted, the update is running and must finish.

The reason matters: Apple's update process has two stages. The first stage downloads the file to your phone — you can cancel this. The second stage installs the update after a restart — you cannot safely interrupt this without potentially corrupting your system.

Key Takeaways

  • You can cancel an iPhone update only while it is downloading, by opening Settings > General > Software Update and tapping Cancel.
  • Once your iPhone restarts to begin installation, the update cannot be stopped without risking damage to your system.
  • If you want to delay an update, you can dismiss the notification and wait, but Apple will keep reminding you until you install it.
  • Turning off automatic updates in Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates prevents future updates from installing without your action.

Canceling a download that has not started installing yet

Open Settings, then tap General. Scroll down and tap Software Update. If you see a download in progress with a progress bar, tap the Cancel button next to it. Your iPhone will stop downloading the update file immediately.

After you cancel, your iPhone will not automatically try to download that same update again right away. However, Apple will still send you notifications about the update periodically. You can dismiss these notifications, but they will return — usually within a few days or a week.

What happens if the update has already started installing

If your iPhone has already restarted and you see a progress bar with a message like "Installing iOS Update" or "Preparing Update," the installation is underway and cannot be stopped. Forcing your phone off or removing the battery at this point can corrupt the system files and leave your iPhone unable to boot up properly.

Let the installation finish. This usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. Your iPhone will restart several times during this process — this is normal. Do not interrupt it, even if it seems stuck. If the installation genuinely fails (your phone does not restart after an hour, or you see an error code), you can connect to a computer and use Finder or iTunes to restore your iPhone, but this erases all data unless you have a backup.

Preventing future updates from installing automatically

If you want to control when updates happen instead of having them install automatically, turn off automatic updates. Go to Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates and toggle off Install iOS Updates. You can also toggle off Install Security Responses and System Files if you want to control those separately, though security updates are important to install regularly.

With automatic updates turned off, your iPhone will still notify you when an update is available, but it will not download or install without you taking action. You remain in control of when the download happens and when you restart your phone to install it.

Delaying an update without turning off automatic updates

If automatic updates are still on but you want to postpone a specific update, you have limited options. When you see the "Install Now" or "Install Tonight" notification, you can tap Remind Me Later to push the notification away for a few hours. This does not prevent the update — it just delays the reminder.

If your iPhone is set to install updates overnight and you want to prevent that, you can keep your phone plugged in and awake (by using it or keeping the screen on) past the scheduled installation time. However, this is not reliable — Apple will eventually force the installation or keep pestering you until you do it manually.

Why Apple makes updates hard to skip

Updates include security patches that close vulnerabilities in iOS. If you delay an update for weeks or months, your iPhone becomes more exposed to malware and hacking. Apple's aggressive update reminders exist because most people who skip updates do so out of inconvenience rather than preference, and unpatched iPhones create real security risks.

That said, you are not required to update immediately. Waiting a few days or a week after an update releases is reasonable — it gives Apple time to catch any bugs that slipped through testing. But indefinitely avoiding updates leaves your phone vulnerable.

What to do if an update fails or gets stuck

If your iPhone is stuck on an update screen and not progressing after more than an hour, try a force restart. 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 the Apple logo appears (usually 10 to 20 seconds). For iPhone 7 and earlier, press and hold the Top (or Side) button and Volume Down together until the Apple logo appears.

A force restart often allows a stuck update to resume. If the update still fails or your iPhone will not turn on afterward, connect it to a computer with Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows) and choose the option to restore your iPhone. This erases your phone but allows you to set it up again from a backup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel an update after I tap "Install Now"?

Not safely. Once you tap "Install Now," your iPhone will restart and begin the installation process. At that point, stopping it risks corrupting your system. Let the update finish, which usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.

Will my iPhone update itself if I just leave it plugged in?

If automatic updates are turned on and your iPhone is plugged in overnight, yes — it may install the update without asking. To prevent this, turn off automatic updates in Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates, or keep your phone unplugged and in use during the scheduled installation window.

What if I cancel the download and then change my mind?

Go back to Settings > General > Software Update. If the update is still available, you will see the option to download it again. Tap it to start the download over. Apple will keep the update available for several weeks before removing it.

Does canceling an update delete anything from my phone?

No. Canceling a download removes only the update file itself, not your photos, messages, or apps. Your phone returns to its previous iOS version and works normally.

Is it safe to use my iPhone while an update is downloading?

Yes, you can use your iPhone normally while an update downloads. However, do not use it during the installation phase after the restart — let it sit undisturbed until the process finishes.