If you don't want your iPhone or iPad to bug you about Apple's frequent software updates but want your software to stay up to date, there's an option on the iPhone or the iPad to enable automatic software updates. Apple first enabled this change in iOS 12.

ios12automaticupdates
With this feature turned on, when a new version of iOS is released, your iPhone or iPad will be updated automatically

  1. Open the Settings app,
  2. Choose "General."
  3. Select "Software Update." ios12softwareupdate
  4. Tap on "Automatic Updates."
  5. Toggle the option from off to on. automaticsoftwareupdates

Automatic updates are turned off by default, so the default behavior of software updates hasn't changed. Unless this is turned on, your iOS device will wait for you to manually tap the install button when an update is released, though it will continue to download new updates in the background.

To turn off automatic updates, follow the same steps, toggling the update from on to off.

Related Forum: iOS 12

Top Rated Comments

TMRJIJ Avatar
TMRJIJ
94 months ago
TLDR; Go to Software Update > Turn on Automatic Updates.

These tutorials are getting better..*facepalm*
Tutorial too confusing.... Got my phone stuck on the roof.....
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
-BigMac- Avatar
-BigMac-
94 months ago
TLDR; Go to Software Update > Turn on Automatic Updates.

These tutorials are getting better..*facepalm*
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kaibelf Avatar
Kaibelf
94 months ago
I want to turn it OFF: when I'm at my parents on vacation, I don't have Internet. So I bring my access Point which includes a 3G card. Overnight, as soon as our devices (2 iPads + 2 iPhones) see the WiFi, they start downloading several GB's of updates - and I reach my data cap in less than a week.

gees thanks! How difficult is it to be able to turn off updates depending on network ?
Or, just turn it off when you are experiencing your incredibly narrow use case instead of over complicating it for everyone else?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
alllexx Avatar
alllexx
94 months ago
I can’t agree more. All these ‘howto’s’ MR is posting seems to be an effort to simply add content, much of which is useless to anyone with half a brain.
I love them because my parents and some friends are really, really bad with technology so these articles break it down for them farther than I do.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bergert Avatar
bergert
94 months ago
I want to turn it OFF: when I'm at my parents on vacation, I don't have Internet. So I bring my access Point which includes a 3G card. Overnight, as soon as our devices (2 iPads + 2 iPhones) see the WiFi, they start downloading several GB's of updates - and I reach my data cap in less than a week.

gees thanks! How difficult is it to be able to turn off updates depending on network ?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jclo Avatar
jclo
94 months ago
I can’t agree more. All these ‘howto’s’ MR is posting seems to be an effort to simply add content, much of which is useless to anyone with half a brain.
Oftentimes with simpler how tos like these, the point is to serve as a reminder that a feature exists in the first place rather than as a walkthrough on how to do it. This is the case with automatic software updates. You might not even realize it's a thing, just because there's so much else going on in the beta.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
Read Full Article • 79 comments
iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
Read Full Article • 62 comments
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

iPhone 17 Pro: 5 Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 1, 2025 4:35 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series this month, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to...
Read Full Article • 114 comments
xiaomi apple ad india

Apple and Samsung Push Back Against Xiaomi's Bold India Ads

Friday August 29, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple and Samsung have reportedly issued cease-and-desist notices to Xiaomi in India for an ad campaign that directly compares the rivals' devices to Xiaomi's products. The two companies have threatened the Chinese vendor with legal action, calling the ads "disparaging." Ads have appeared in local print media and on social media that take pot shots at the competitors' premium offerings. One...
Read Full Article • 210 comments
iOS 18 on iPhone Arrow Down

Apple Preparing iOS 18.7 for iPhones as iOS 26 Release Date Nears

Sunday August 31, 2025 4:35 pm PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 18.7 for compatible iPhone models, according to evidence of the update in the MacRumors visitor logs. We expect iOS 18.7 to be released in September, alongside iOS 26. The update will likely include fixes for security vulnerabilities, but little else. iOS 18.7 will be one of the final updates ever released for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR,...
Read Full Article • 47 comments
iPhone eSIM Feature

Apple Hints at iPhone 17 Models Lacking SIM Card Slot in More Countries

Sunday August 31, 2025 8:52 am PDT by
Another hint has surfaced that Apple is preparing to eliminate the physical SIM card tray from iPhones in more countries this year. In particular, a source familiar with the matter has informed MacRumors that retail employees at Apple Authorized Resellers in the EU are required to complete a training course related to iPhones with eSIM support by Friday, September 5. There are 27 countries...
Read Full Article • 124 comments