You can delay or turn off automatic updates, but not block them permanently

Apple does not give you a way to refuse updates entirely on iPhone. What you can do is turn off automatic downloads and installations, which stops your phone from updating on its own. This gives you control over when updates happen — you can choose to install them manually later, or wait weeks before deciding. However, Apple will eventually push you to update: once a version becomes very old, your phone may refuse to open certain apps or connect to services until you install the latest software.

The most practical approach for most people is to turn off automatic updates and then manually install them on your own schedule — perhaps monthly instead of immediately. If you need your phone to stay on a specific older version for work or compatibility reasons, you have a narrower window: you can delay updates for up to 35 days using Screen Time restrictions, but after that period expires, the update will install whether you want it or not.

Key Takeaways

  • Turning off automatic updates in Settings stops your iPhone from installing software updates without your permission.
  • You can delay a specific update for up to 35 days using Screen Time restrictions, but Apple will force the installation after that period ends.
  • Once an update is very old, your phone may refuse to run apps or connect to services, effectively forcing you to update eventually.
  • Manually installing updates when you choose gives you the most control over your phone's stability and app compatibility.

Turn off automatic updates in Settings

Open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap General. Then tap Software Update, and you will see a section called Automatic Updates near the bottom of the screen. You will see toggles for two options: Download iOS Updates and Install iOS Updates. Turn both of these off by tapping each toggle until it turns gray.

Once both toggles are off, your phone will no longer download or install updates automatically. You will still see notifications that updates are available, but nothing will happen in the background. Your phone will not restart on its own to install software. This is the simplest way to take control of when updates happen.

Check these settings occasionally, because iOS updates sometimes turn automatic updates back on after a major version change. If you see the toggles have turned back on, turn them off again.

Manually install updates when you choose

With automatic updates turned off, you can install updates whenever you want. Go to Settings, then General, then Software Update. If an update is available, you will see a button that says Download and Install or just Install. Tap it, enter your passcode if prompted, and your phone will begin the update process.

Plan to do this when you have time — updates usually take 10 to 30 minutes, and your phone will restart during the process. Plug your phone into power before you start. Do not turn off your phone or disconnect it during the update, or you may damage the system software.

You can also wait indefinitely before installing an update. However, keep in mind that older versions of iOS may eventually stop working with certain apps, banking services, or iCloud features. If you wait too long, you may be forced to update to use the services you need.

Delay a specific update for up to 35 days

If you want to postpone a particular update but do not want to turn off automatic updates entirely, you can use Screen Time to delay it. Open Settings and tap Screen Time. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions and turn the toggle on. Then tap Content Restrictions, scroll down to App Installation, and change it from Allow to Don't Allow.

With this setting in place, iOS will not install updates automatically for up to 35 days. After 35 days, the restriction expires and the update will install on its own. This approach is useful if you need a few weeks to test whether an update causes problems with apps or hardware you rely on, but you do not want to manage updates manually forever.

To turn off this delay before 35 days have passed, go back to Screen Time, tap Content & Privacy Restrictions, and turn the toggle off. The update will then install within a few hours.

What happens if you do not update for a long time

If you leave automatic updates off and never manually install updates, your phone will eventually stop working properly. Apps will begin to refuse to open because they require a newer version of iOS. Your bank's app, Apple Pay, iCloud services, and other critical features may stop working. You will see repeated notifications urging you to update.

Apple does this intentionally: older versions of iOS have security vulnerabilities that put your data at risk. By making old versions incompatible with modern apps and services, Apple forces you to stay current. There is no way around this — you cannot permanently block updates and keep your phone fully functional.

The practical middle ground is to turn off automatic updates but install them yourself every month or two. This gives you control over the timing while keeping your phone secure and compatible with the apps you use.

Restart your phone if an update is stuck

Occasionally an update will fail to install, or your phone will get stuck on the update screen. The first step is to force restart your iPhone. The method depends on your model: on iPhone X and newer, press and quickly release the Volume Up button, press and quickly release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo appear (usually 10 to 15 seconds). On iPhone 8 and earlier, press and hold both the Top (or Side) button and the Volume Down button together until the Apple logo appears.

After the restart, your phone will either complete the update or return to normal. If it returns to normal without updating, go back to Settings and try the update again. If the same update keeps failing, wait a few days — sometimes Apple's servers are overloaded and retrying later works better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stay on an old version of iOS forever?

No. After several months, apps will stop working on very old iOS versions, and Apple will eventually make it impossible to use banking apps, iCloud, and other services. You can delay updates, but you cannot avoid them permanently without losing functionality.

Will turning off automatic updates slow down my phone?

No. Turning off automatic updates does not affect your phone's speed or performance. It only stops the system from downloading and installing software in the background without your permission.

What if I turn off automatic updates and then forget to update for months?

Your phone will work normally for a while, but eventually apps will start refusing to open and services will stop working. You will see repeated notifications. At that point, you will need to install the update to restore full functionality.

Can I update just one app instead of the whole system?

Yes, but that is different from iOS updates. Individual apps update through the App Store separately from system software. You can turn off automatic app updates in the App Store settings if you want, but iOS system updates are handled separately in the Settings app.

Does turning off automatic updates affect security?

Yes, slightly. Security updates are released regularly, and delaying them leaves your phone vulnerable to known threats for longer. However, most people are safe waiting a few weeks to install updates. If you work with sensitive data, install security updates as soon as they are released.