How to Cancel an Over-the-Air iOS Update in Progress

[evanDove]

IMPORTANT STEP YOU MAY NEED TO STOP DOWNLOAD!!!
I have a iPhone 6sPlus running iOS 12.3.1 I clicked to install/download iOS 13.7. When I saw it was going to take 12 hours to download, (I have a slow internet speed), I chose to stop it. I had to look up how to do it, and this page was one which I accessed. I turned off WiFi, (and subesquently turned on AirPlane mode), to stop the internet connection and temporarily pause the iOS 13.7 download. Then I went to "Settings >General >iPhone Storage"...unfortunately, the was no "iOS" selection in "Settings >General >iPhone Storage" to click on. When I went into "Settings >General >Software Update", it showed that the download was "paused"...below that there was a greyed out "Resume Download" What I finally figured out was, I NEEDED TO TURN MY INTERNET CONNECTION BACK ON!! . After re-connecting to the internet, (and after a brief wait), the download resumed, and THEN in "Settings >General >iPhone Storage", the iOS selection WAS AVAILABLE, I clicked on it, and the next page showed a "delete update" button which I clicked on and the problem was solved. 😄

 

[PhillyGuy72]

THANK YOU. Old post but helped.

iPadOS 14.3 (Dec. 15, 2020) OTA update stuck on "Preparing Update" after 30-35 min.

This worked, I'll just hook the iPad to Mac via cable and try this again to - hopefully - avoid a messed up install.

 

[pds6502]

It shouldn't install without permission, then there's something wrong. However, the downloads are impossible to stop on iOS. The best way to get rid of them is simply to install, something I have always done until this unnecessary 12.1.2 update came along.

There are workarounds though, like blocking access to the Apple update server on your router. But that's not for everyone.

Even blocking access at the router level to Apple's update servers (e.g., appldnld.apple.com.edgesuite.net, captive.apple.com, applednld.apple.com, gdmf.apple.com, init-p01md.apple.com, init-p01st.push.apple.com, etc) doesn't stop the unwanted iOS download -- the iOS simply finds another way, another path.

Anyone find other server addresses to block (which don't interfere with iMessage or FaceTime)?

 

[MauiPa]

You cannot disable iOS update downloads. The Automatic Updates only applies to iTunes and App Store purchases.

Apple dictates when and how they try to push an iOS update to your device. I have complained to them many times regarding this matter. This is EXACTLY why they love to brag about their adoption rate.

hahaha, too bad you are wrong, you sound like you are correct though. Here is a primer for turning updates off.

1) open settings app
2) tap software updates
3) tap automatic updates
4) you will see three toggles Download iOS updates, install iOS updates, security response and system files. Tuen them all off if you prefer, they do exactly as they sound

Of course, way back in the dawn of time, I heard there was an iOS version that did not allow you to, but I said "what?" when I heard this, and proceeded to show the person what I highlighted above. They sheepishly agree that they were wrong. Oopsiie