You can stop an iOS update before it finishes installing, but not after your phone restarts
Once your iPhone or iPad begins downloading an iOS update, you have a window to cancel it — but only until the installation process actually starts. If your phone has already restarted or you see a progress bar filling during setup, the update is too far along to stop. The cancellation window is roughly from when you first see the download notification until the moment your device begins the restart sequence.
The method depends on where you are in the process. If the update is still downloading, you can delete it from Settings. If it has moved to the installation phase but hasn't restarted yet, your options narrow. Once the device restarts, you cannot cancel — you must let it finish.
Key Takeaways
- You can cancel an iOS update only while it is downloading or in early installation stages, not after your device restarts.
- To stop a downloading update, go to Settings > General > Storage, find the update file, and tap Delete.
- If your phone is already installing and you see a progress bar, force restart your device immediately — this may halt the process before the point of no return.
- Once your phone begins the restart sequence, cancellation is no longer possible and you must allow the update to complete.
- Scheduled updates can be postponed in Settings > General > Software Update before they begin downloading.
Cancel a download that hasn't started installing yet
If you see the iOS update notification but the download hasn't begun, or it is still downloading, you can remove it before installation starts. Open Settings, then tap General, then Software Update. You should see the update listed with a download progress indicator or a button to download. Tap the X or "Cancel" button if it appears — the exact label depends on your iOS version, but there will be a way to dismiss the pending update.
If the update has already downloaded but installation hasn't started, you need to delete the downloaded file itself. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage (or iPad Storage). Scroll down and look for "iOS [version number]" or a similar entry showing the update file. Tap it, then tap Delete. This removes the downloaded update from your device. Your phone will no longer prompt you to install it until you manually download it again.
Stop an update that is installing but hasn't restarted
If you see an installation progress bar on your screen — showing a percentage like "Installing 34%" — you are in a narrow window where a force restart might work. This is risky because it can interrupt the process at an unpredictable point, but it is your only option if you want to avoid completing the update.
To force restart, the method varies by model. On iPhone X and newer, press and quickly release the Volume Up button, then press and quickly release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side button until you see the "slide to power off" screen. On iPhone 8 and earlier, press and hold the Top (or Side) button and Volume Down button together until the power-off screen appears. Do not slide to power off — instead, wait for the device to restart on its own. This forces a restart without completing the update.
After the force restart, your phone may attempt to resume the update, or it may roll back to your previous iOS version. There is no may provide which will happen. If the update resumes, you will need to let it finish — you cannot stop it a second time.
Postpone a scheduled update before it downloads
If you have set up automatic updates or received a notification about a scheduled update time, you can delay it before the download begins. Go to Settings > General > Software Update. If you see an option for "Automatic Updates" or "Scheduled Update," toggle it off or tap "Postpone" if that button is available. This gives you more time to decide whether you want the update at all.
Be aware that postponing is temporary. Apple will prompt you again after a set period, usually a few days to a week. If you want to avoid an update indefinitely, you will need to keep postponing it each time the notification appears, or disable automatic updates entirely in Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates.
What happens if you cannot cancel the update
If your device has already restarted as part of the update process, cancellation is not possible. You will see a progress bar, a spinning wheel, or a setup screen, and your phone will not respond to attempts to stop it. The update must complete. This usually takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on the update size and your device model.
During this time, your phone will be unusable. Do not force restart again, unplug the device, or remove the battery — these actions can corrupt the installation and leave your phone in an unusable state. Plug your device into power, keep it connected to Wi-Fi if possible, and let it finish. If the update fails or gets stuck for more than an hour, you may need to connect to a computer and use Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows) to restore the device, but this should only be attempted if the update appears completely frozen.
Why you might want to cancel an update
Common reasons to stop an iOS update include concerns about battery drain, performance changes, or compatibility with apps you rely on. Some updates introduce features you do not want, or they may cause issues with older devices. If you have limited storage space, a large update download can slow your phone until it completes.
However, delaying updates indefinitely carries security risks. iOS updates include patches for vulnerabilities that hackers actively exploit. The longer you wait, the more exposed your device becomes. If you cancel an update, plan to install it within a few weeks rather than avoiding it permanently. If a specific update is causing problems, check Apple's support pages or your app developer's website to see if a fix is coming in the next version.
Prevent unwanted updates in the future
To reduce surprise updates, turn off automatic updates in Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates. Toggle off "Download iOS Updates" and "Install iOS Updates." This gives you full control over when updates happen, but it means you must manually check for and install them yourself.
Another approach is to enable automatic updates but disable automatic installation. This way, your phone downloads updates in the background but waits for your permission before installing. You can then choose a convenient time, or review what the update includes before proceeding. This balances security (you get patches promptly) with control (you decide when your device is unavailable).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel an iOS update after my phone restarts?
No. Once your device restarts as part of the update process, the installation cannot be stopped. You must let it complete, which typically takes 15 to 45 minutes. Attempting to force restart or unplug the device at this stage can damage the installation.
Will canceling an update delete my data?
Canceling a download or early-stage installation will not delete your data. Your phone returns to its previous iOS version with all files intact. However, if you force restart during installation, there is a small risk of data loss if the process is interrupted at a critical point.
What if the update gets stuck and won't finish?
If the progress bar does not move for more than an hour, try a force restart. If that does not work, connect your device to a computer and use Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows) to restore it. This erases the device and reinstalls iOS, so back up your data first if possible.
Can I go back to an older iOS version after updating?
Apple does not allow downgrading to previous iOS versions under normal circumstances. Once you update, you are locked into that version or newer. This is why canceling before the update completes is your only way to avoid it.
Does postponing an update delay it permanently?
No. Postponing delays the update by a few days to a week, then Apple prompts you again. To avoid an update long-term, disable automatic updates entirely in Settings. You will then need to manually install updates when you choose to.