How to Turn Off Auto Update on iPhone

Only update when you want to

By
Sam Costello
Sam Costello
Sam Costello
Writer
  • Ithaca College
Sam Costello has been writing about tech since 2000. His writing has appeared in publications such as CNN.com, PC World, InfoWord, and many others.
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Updated on February 23, 2022
Reviewed by
Jon Fisher
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Reviewed by Jon Fisher
  • Wichita Technical Institute
Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA certified technologist with more than 6 years' experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek.
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What to Know

  • Turn off automatic app updates: Tap Settings > App Store > move App Updates slide to off/white.
  • Turn off auto updates: Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates > turn off Download iOS Updates.
  • To turn off auto app downloads: Settings > App Store > turn off Apps.

This article explains how to turn off auto-updates for apps and iOS.

How Do I Stop My iPhone From Updating Apps?

Downloading and installing app updates automatically can save you time and a lot of taps on your phone. But if you want full control over the software on your phone and how you use data, you can turn off auto app updates by following these steps:

  1. Tap Settings.

  2. Tap App Store.

  3. Move App Updates slider to off/white.

    Settings App, App Store, and App Updates in iPhone settings

  4. If you have limited data but still want to have up-to-date apps, there's another option. Keep App Updates turned on (the slider will be green), but go to the Cellular Downloads section and move Automatic Downloads to off/white. With that, apps will only auto-update using Wi-Fi.

You may also want to move the Apps slider to off/white. When you download an app on one Apple device, the app can automatically be downloaded to all your other compatible devices signed in to the same iCloud account. Disabling this setting prevents apps downloaded on other Apple devices from being automatically downloaded to this device.

How Do You Turn Off Automatic OS Updates in iPhone Settings?

Just like with apps, iOS updates can be automatically downloaded to your iPhone. These updates are extensive—sometimes multiple gigabytes—so they can drain your battery and use up your limited data. Technically only the download of the OS is automatic. It doesn't install automatically; you still have to choose when to install it. Still, you may want more control. If so, turn off automatic OS updates by following these steps:

  1. Tap Settings.

  2. Tap General.

  3. Tap Software Update.

    Settings app, General, and Software Update in iPhone Settings

  4. Tap Automatic Updates.

  5. Move the Download iOS Updates slider to off/white.

    Automatic Updates and Download iOS Updates toggle in iPhone settings

Why Turn Off Auto Updates?

Setting your iPhone to update apps automatically and the OS can be helpful. When you do that, you'll always be running the latest versions and have the newest bug fixes, which is particularly important for iOS updates since they can include security patches. But sometimes, you won't want to auto-update your iPhone, especially if you have limited cellular data each month or low battery life that you need to save.

FAQ
  • Why isn't my iPhone auto-updating?

    Check to see if auto-updates have been turned off. If your iPhone apps won't update, pause and restart the app download, sign out and back into the App Store, and restart your iPhone. If you're still having problems, check your available storage as well as the date and time settings.

  • How do I cancel an iPhone update?

    If you want to cancel an iPhone update in progress, turn on Airplane Mode. To delete the update file, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > update file > Delete Update > Delete Update.

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