iOS 13.6 Beta Adds Toggle for Turning Off Automatic iOS Update Downloads - MacRumors
Skip to Content

iOS 13.6 Beta Adds Toggle for Turning Off Automatic iOS Update Downloads

The second beta of iOS 13.6 that was released this morning adds more granular control over the downloading and installing of iOS updates (via Jeremy Horwitz).

iosautomaticupdatecustom
In earlier versions of iOS, new software downloads automatically in the background and then can be installed through an Automatic Updates feature. In iOS 13.6, there are new toggles for customizing Automatic Updates.

You can now decide whether or not your iPhone or iPad can automatically download iOS updates when connected to WiFi, and when those updates are installed. There's a Download iOS Updates toggle for turning on automatic downloads over WiFi and an Install iOS Updates toggle for installing software updates overnight as an iPhone charges.

This new toggle will be a welcome change for those who do not want iOS updates to download automatically without permission, as this can eat up valuable storage space. Note that this option is enabled by default, so if you want to turn off automatic downloads, you'll need to toggle it off.

The Automatic Updates customization settings can be found by opening the Settings app, choosing the General section, tapping on Software Update, and then choosing the Customize Automatic Updates option.

This feature is limited to developers with the iOS 13.6 beta installed, but it will be available to everyone when the iOS 13.6 update is released.

Related Forum: iOS 13

Popular Stories

Apple Event Logo

Apple's Next Era Begins September 1

Thursday May 7, 2026 10:36 am PDT by
Apple recently announced that Tim Cook will be stepping down as CEO later this year, after 15 years of leading the company. Effective September 1, Apple's hardware engineering chief John Ternus will become the company's next CEO, while Cook will become executive chairman of Apple's board of directors. In his new role, Apple said Cook will assist with "certain aspects" of the company,...
Four iPhone 18 Pro Colors Mock Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching in September With These 10 New Features

Saturday May 9, 2026 6:03 am PDT by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not launching until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. It was initially reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would have fully under-screen Face ID, with only a front camera visible in the top-left corner of the screen. However, the latest rumors indicate that only one Face ID component will be moved under the...
Apple Watch Series 10 Jet Black Touch ID

Apple Watch Series 12 and watchOS 27: What to Expect Later This Year

Friday May 8, 2026 2:07 pm PDT by
While not too much has been reported about the next Apple Watch models, there are a few rumors about potential design changes and watchOS 27 features. Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 models are expected to be released in September, and we have outlined some of the key rumored hardware and software changes below. A new Apple Watch SE is not expected this year, as that model was...

Top Rated Comments

NT1440 Avatar
77 months ago

Who wouldn’t want to install updates
You just kicked the bees nest here on MR...
Score: 34 Votes (Like | Disagree)
77 months ago
Everyone who jailbreaks just got a little too excited if you catch my drift.
They hate those auto download updates


Who wouldn’t want to install updates
People who jailbreak, people who don’t like to update right away, people who are very picky about when they update, people who are very picky about what’s taking up storage on the phone, and I could go on
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
phenste Avatar
77 months ago
On the flipside, I appreciate this as someone who initiates my own updates. This means they’ll be on my phone when I go to initiate the update (if I’m reading this article/the attached image properly). I know it’s heavily encouraged to update automatically, but…I like the choice.

I sound like the people I usually harp on in this forum, oh well. :p


Who wouldn’t want to install updates
Sometimes updates come out and introduce new bugs. It’s nice to be able to have an update out for a couple days and assess whether I want to actually install it or wait for the next update, where those bugs will ostensibly be fixed.
(That’s arguably a never-ending cycle, I know—I’ll happily update once I’ve assessed that a given bug isn’t going to heavily affect my everyday use.)
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kylo83 Avatar
77 months ago
Who wouldn’t want to install updates
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GubbyMan Avatar
77 months ago
Finally! After so many years of people asking for this! This is as important as changing video resolution in the camera app or blocking half the screen to show the volume. I guess iOS 14 will not have calls and Siri take up the whole screen?
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
77 months ago
This really doesn't fix the Number One gripe people have with Apple's heavy handed nag screen approach that pops open a message at random intervals asking you to install an update.
Makes you hate the company and despise the device.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)