Keeping your iPhone software up-to-date is crucial for security and accessing the latest features. However, sometimes you might need to cancel an update in progress or stop one that's been scheduled. This guide provides clear instructions on how to do just that, covering various scenarios.
Why Would I Want to Cancel an iPhone Update?
There are several reasons why you might need to cancel an iPhone software update:
- Insufficient storage: Updates often require significant storage space. If you're low on storage, the update might fail or your phone might become unusable.
- Interruption: A power outage or other interruption could corrupt the update process. Canceling and restarting later is safer.
- Unexpected issues: You might have encountered reports of bugs or issues with a specific update, making it wise to wait for a fix.
- Time constraints: An update might take a long time, and you might not have the time available at that moment.
How to Cancel a Downloading or Installing iPhone Update
If the update is already downloading or installing, the process is relatively straightforward:
- Locate the update: The update will usually be displayed on your screen as a progress bar.
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen: This action brings up the Control Center.
- Force-quit the update: If the update progress bar is still visible and you can still interact with the phone, swipe up on the progress bar to close it. Note that this isn't always possible, and you might not have a specific "Cancel" button during the installation process.
- Power off and on (if necessary): In some cases, you might need to force restart your iPhone to completely stop the update process. For iPhones with a Face ID, press and quickly release the volume up button, press and quickly release the volume down button, then press and hold the side button until the phone restarts. For iPhones with a Home button, press and hold both the Home button and the Top (or Side) button until the phone restarts.
Important Note: Forcibly stopping an update during the installation phase can sometimes lead to issues. It's generally best to let the update complete if possible, or wait until it's finished downloading before interrupting it.
How to Prevent an iPhone Update from Automatically Downloading
To prevent automatic downloads and installations:
- Open the Settings app: Locate the settings icon on your home screen (usually a grey icon with gears).
- Tap on "General": This section contains various system-level settings.
- Tap on "Software Update": Here you'll manage your iPhone's software updates.
- Turn off "Automatic Updates": Toggle the switch next to "Automatic Updates" to the off position. This will prevent future updates from downloading and installing automatically. You'll then need to manually check for and initiate updates whenever you desire.
What to Do After Cancelling an iPhone Update
After canceling an update, it’s recommended to:
- Check your storage: Ensure you have enough free space for future updates.
- Restart your phone: A simple restart can resolve minor glitches.
- Check for the update again later: If you canceled due to insufficient space or a temporary issue, retry the update once the problem is resolved.
Can I cancel a pending iOS update?
Yes, a pending iOS update can be cancelled. The methods described above, focusing on preventing automatic downloads and disabling automatic updates, effectively cancel a pending update by preventing it from ever starting.
How to stop iPhone update from restarting?
The automatic restart after an update is part of the installation process. You cannot directly stop this restart. However, preventing the automatic download and update, as described above, will prevent the automatic restart entirely.
By following these steps, you can effectively manage your iPhone's software updates, choosing when and how they are installed. Remember to always back up your data before installing significant updates as a precaution.
