Managing iOS updates on your iPhone offers more flexibility than you might realize. By disabling automatic updates in Settings, you gain control over when and how updates are installed. Simply navigate to General > Software Update, then tap and hold Download and Install to choose between downloading immediately, scheduling for later, or opting to download only. This feature empowers users to update their devices at their convenience, ensuring smoother transitions and improved control over software enhancements.

Anyone whos owned an iPhone for a few months at least has likely had to perform an iOS Update — or at least wait while their phone downloads and installs an update automatically. Every so often Apple will inevitably iterate on the current mobile operating system to close security loopholes, add new features, and otherwise make general improvements to the software .

But did you know you actually have more control over your iOS updates than the Software Update menu would have you believe? As thatvirtualboy pointed out in a post on Mastodon, its about as widely known as being able to tap and hold the spacebar on the iPhones keyboard in order to drag the typing cursor through your text.

It turns out that, in addition to simply starting an iOS update download and installation, you can also tell your phone to perform the process for later. Or you can start just the download and hold off on installing anything until youre ready (i.e. your day is winding down, youre going to bed, etc).

Heres the trick

In order to pull this off, you first need to head into your iPhones Settings and make sure automatic updates are off, otherwise the phone will do everything on its own and bypass any choices you might have been able to make.

  1. Open the Settings app (it looks like a gear), then scroll down and select General.
  2. In the General menu, select Software Update (its close to the top).
  3. From there, select Automatic Updates and turn off Download iOS Updates.
  4. You can also turn off auto-updates for Security Responses & System Files, but this wont affect manual iOS updates and its not something wed recommend opting out of.

Now that you can update iOS manually, its time to pick your download:

  1. Open the Settings app and select General, then choose Software Update.
  2. From the Software Update screen, tap and hold (dont just tap) Download and Install.
  3. A pop-up menu will appear with two new choices: Download Only or Download and Install Tonight.
  4. Choose Download Only to download (but not install) the new iOS update.
  5. Choose Download and Install Tonight to have your phone to perform the update on its own later in the day.
  6. Note that whichever option you choose (Download and Install, Download Only, or Download and Install Tonight), youll be asked to input your iPhones password.