I have resisted updating to iOS 26 until now. My phone might try to do it to me without my consent, so I have a couple of questions. I remember reading something that said you should make sure that your phone is backed up to the cloud before you update. Is that still true? If I look at my iCloud, should it show a list of all of my apps? How else would I know if everything is backed up? Excuse me for being dense, but Iām not sure about this.
Comments
How to Disable Automatic Updates in Software Update Settings
Hi there,
If you go into settings, general, software update, the first element past the software heading at the top of the screen is the "automatic updates" button. If you double tap on that, you will enter a new screen with a toggle switch. Turn the switch to off, and your phone shouldn't force the update.
If you already have iOS 26 downloaded on your system, but not installed, you can delete it. Just go to settings, general, iPhone storage, and the update should show at the top of the screen. Find it, swipe down while the actions rotor is selected, and you should hear a "delete" option.
Hope this helps!
Try the following
These steps are assuming you do not wish to update to iOS 26.
1. Go to settings, general, software update. Disable auto downloads.
2. Back out of software updates, and scroll down to iCloud storage. Navigate through all of the applications install on your iPhone, and you should eventually find one labeled something like iOS update. Swipe up or down, and double tap on delete. Otherwise, double tap on the name, and on the next screen you should have an option to delete.
If you have an update in storage, and are unable to delete it, then Apple has probably taken that ability away from us. However, disabling auto download from the software update screen, and rebooting your device, should prevent it from automatically updating on you. Even if the software has already been downloaded.
HTH.
Edit: looks like Gar beat me to the punch line.
I Concede, Brian
I concede, Brian. According to the Applevis timestamps, you replied at least six hours before me.
How to Disable Automatic Updates in Software Update Settings
By Gar on Saturday, December 6, 2025 - 02:55
Try the following
new
By Brian on Friday, December 5, 2025 - 20:00
Not sure how this is even possible, or what the best way is to report it. But I won't hijack this thread any further. Heh.
Not for me
For me, Brian's comment appears to have been posted 5 minutes after Gar's.
Specifically, in my time zone of Australian Eastern Daylight Time, Gar's was posted on Saturday at 13:55, and Brian's was posted at 14:00.