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PSA: iOS 26.2 Turns on Automatic Software Updates for Some Users
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I am updating from 18.7.2 on my iPad to 18.7.3 as I type this. It will be interesting to see if Apple Arrogance turns my Automatic Updates from Off to On.
Call it what it is… automatic planned obsolescence
Update to 18.7.3 was successful. Automatic Updates was left at OFF, Siri and AI were left at OFF/Disable, but Apple did turn on the WiFi.
apple owns it, you only have a license to use it. you should really read the terms and conditions before clicking yes
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So even if I do not want an automatic update, it will still download it and use precious storage space? I would not trust iOS updates any more. Too often Apple has used them to artificially slow down old iPhones.
Same here, I definitely remember it from at least iOS 18, but it feels like I’ve been getting this on random updates years
Exactly. It’s probably Tim Cook’s plan to make perfectly relevant hardware feel irrelevant so users can buy new hardware. He did that with the entire Macintosh desktop and laptop line by soldering the RAM and hard drive to the motherboard so users cannot upgrade them with in a couple of years when third-party RAM and hard drive prices are lower, and thus have to instead buy an entirely new Mac.
Cook is filled with corporate greed and is always looking for new ways to maximize profits by giving consumers less and less for their money.
Honestly in the grand scheme of things this isn't that big of an issue. It's an issue to be sure but when some are getting it and others are not, this tells me it's a bug. I'm sure Apple will fix it and everyone can put away their torches & pitchforks for another day.
I didn't upgrade to iOS 26.2 yet but checked Settings all the same and the option was already turned on without me doing anything. I assume it was turned on after iOS 26.1 (since I installed both iOS 26 and 26.1 manually).
It is my understanding Apple's been doing that for a while now.
It is my understanding Apple's been doing that for a while now.
A very good reminder. Prefer not to have updates automatically downloaded or installed. Will surely pay attention to the settings on all my devices after I update them.
Considering top spec Mac and iPhone iPad costing between $4k AUD and $8k AUD, id say this is a VERY EXPENSIVE license, all the while users never own anything. Literally anything. Might as well let apple own people’s lives at this point.
that's basically how iPhone upgrade program works, you're paying apple every year for life.
Except, afaik only US offers this program and no, that wont hide the fact that apple hardware is ridiculously expensive and that program doesn’t include iPad and Mac, let alone generally not available outside of US.
Apple, you want me to update this badly? Do better.
Give me like-new battery life and performance on every device even if fully updated.
“That’s a utopian request, the improvements in hardware make it so the software takes advantage of the hardware and therefore older devices must suffer”.
Okay, then stop with this nonsense. Push notifications (as somebody who never updates anything, a LOT of notifications), the red symbol in settings, the constant reversal with automatic updates, the constant support push for an update as the first step, and there’s probably a long list of etc. that I’m forgetting.
You want me to update? Give me quality software like you do when I have the device’s original iOS version (barring iOS 26). Otherwise then should just stop.
Give me like-new battery life and performance on every device even if fully updated.
“That’s a utopian request, the improvements in hardware make it so the software takes advantage of the hardware and therefore older devices must suffer”.
Okay, then stop with this nonsense. Push notifications (as somebody who never updates anything, a LOT of notifications), the red symbol in settings, the constant reversal with automatic updates, the constant support push for an update as the first step, and there’s probably a long list of etc. that I’m forgetting.
You want me to update? Give me quality software like you do when I have the device’s original iOS version (barring iOS 26). Otherwise then should just stop.
This is what I was afraid of. All the people who made Apple successful retired or will retire soon and the new ones bring the bad habits and culture from their previous employers with them.
Yes. If they want to inform the users just do a notification in the settings. If there is a need to turn on some settings for a new feature don’t turn them on automatically. Just inform the user. Like they do with access to camera for apps.
Its an indirect planned obsolescence. If you have an older phone iOS 26 will be slower because of the new fancy design. Or if you have a old phone it could fill up storage more and then you won’t have enough storage and the phone becomes slower. The new design also will impact battery life on older phones with bad battery.
And on MR that also means: Please Stay Angry.
Don’t like that Apple is using Dark Patterns with their updates. They also released 18.7.3 yesterday and when you go to update Apple takes you to its 26 page and you need to unintuitively click the back button to get the 18.7 update.