Hi, I'm a tech enthusiast with years of experience navigating the ins and outs of smartphones. I've wrestled with my fair share of updates, both good and bad, so I understand the desire to hit the brakes on an update that might not be working for you. Let's dive into how to stop an iPhone update, along with some important considerations.

## Stopping an iPhone Update in Progress

If your iPhone is currently in the process of downloading or installing an update, here's how you can attempt to stop it:


1. The Power Button Trick: This is the simplest method. Press and quickly release the Power button (also called the Side button on some iPhone models). This usually brings up the "Slide to Power Off" slider. Ignore that for now.

2. Volume Button Intervention: While still holding your iPhone, immediately press and quickly release the Volume Up button.

3. Repeat if Necessary: If the update process persists, you can try repeating the Power button and Volume Up button presses a couple more times in quick succession.

Important Note: This method isn't foolproof, and it might not always work, especially if the update installation has progressed significantly.

## Dealing with a Partially Downloaded Update

If the download was interrupted, you might see the update lingering in your storage. Here's how to remove it:


1. Navigate to Settings: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

2. Go to General: Tap on General.

3. Enter iPhone Storage: Tap on iPhone Storage. Your iPhone will take a moment to calculate app storage usage.

4. Locate the Update: Scroll down the list of apps and look for the iOS update file. It will usually be labeled something like "iOS 16.x" or similar.

5. Delete the Update: Tap on the iOS update file and then select Delete Update. Confirm your choice when prompted.

## Preventing Future Automatic Updates

To regain control over when (or if) you update your iPhone, you can adjust the automatic update settings:


1. Access Software Update: Open the Settings app and go to General > Software Update.

2. Manage Automatic Updates: Tap on Automatic Updates.

3. Choose Your Settings: You have two options:
- Download iOS Updates: This option, when enabled, automatically downloads iOS updates in the background when your iPhone is connected to power and Wi-Fi.
- Install iOS Updates: This option, when enabled, automatically installs downloaded updates overnight when your iPhone is connected to power.

4. Disable Automatic Updates: To prevent your iPhone from downloading and installing updates without your permission, make sure both Download iOS Updates and Install iOS Updates are toggled Off (they will appear gray).

A Word of Caution: While it might be tempting to avoid updates altogether, keep in mind that iOS updates often include important security patches and bug fixes.

## When Stopping an Update Isn't Ideal

Although there are ways to halt an iPhone update, it's generally not recommended to interrupt the process unless absolutely necessary. Here's why:

* Risk of Data Loss: Stopping an update midway can potentially corrupt system files and lead to data loss.
* Software Instability: An interrupted update might cause your iPhone to become unstable or experience unexpected issues.
* Bricked Device: In rare cases, a botched update interruption can render your iPhone unusable (aka "bricked").

## Seek Professional Help

If you're experiencing persistent issues with an iOS update, or if your iPhone is unresponsive after an interrupted update, it's best to seek assistance from Apple Support or a qualified technician.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

read more >>

To stop the nagging requests to install the update, do the following.Go into the Settings app.Go to General > Storage & iCloud Usage.Go to Manage Storage (under "Storage" not "iCloud")Select the downloaded iOS update (i.e. iOS 9.2) in the list.Select Delete Update.read more >>