Although software updates on iPhones and iPads are essential, sometimes you don’t want to download them due to your device’s storage capacity. However, iOS automatically downloads the updates on your device, thereby acquiring space.
If that’s the case with you, learn how to delete the software update downloaded on your iPhone and iPad.
Note: If you’re on the latest iOS version, you won’t find the option to delete the update. Additionally, the update can be deleted only if it’s downloaded. Installing the update will remove the option to delete it.
Extra info: If your iPhone is running iOS 15 beta and you don’t find it convenient, check our explainer on how to downgrade to iOS 14.
How to remove software update download from iPhone
- Open Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap iPhone/iPad Storage.
- Under this section, scroll and locate the iOS version and tap it.
- Tap Delete Update.
- Tap Delete Update again to confirm the process.
Note: if you’re on iOS 10 or earlier, look for Storage and iCloud usage under Settings. Then tap Manage Storage to locate the software update and delete it.
FAQs
Removing the update is not a problem. You can delete it if your device is running low on space or if you plan to update to the latest version.
To download the update again, go to Settings → tap General → tap Software Update → tap Download and install.
That’s it! This is how you can delete the software update from your iPhone and iPad. Facing any problem related to this? Share your queries in the comments below.
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These instructions aren’t for ipad, just iPhone. On an ipad Air 2, I have no storage entry for an ios update so I still am unsure how to delete it (since it’s failing to verify as I’m connected to the internet, despite it saying I’m not).
Thanks for your post. My phone simply lists “System” in the iPhone Storage list; when I click on it I am shown the version but not given the option to delete anything. Do you have any suggestions?
Which iOS version are you on? Also, if this is the case, that means even a few MBs of the actual update file is not downloaded, and most likely, your update has stuck. To fix this, please follow the solutions mentioned here – https://www.igeeksblog.com/ios-update-stuck-at-update-requested/
If there’s no storage entry for software update, then that probably means that the software hasn’t been downloaded yet. Moreover, while downloading the software, make sure you have enough storage space available on your iPad.
Additionally, if your iPad fails to verify that you’re connected to the internet, try connecting with a different network to check if it works. If it still doesn’t work, try force restarting your iPad and then connecting it to the internet to download the software.
If none works, you should contact Apple Support then to run diagnostics and check for the problem.
I downloaded the 15.0 version on my iPad. And I can’t delete it now. Can I do something to get this off my iPad
If the software hasn’t been installed on your iPad you can follow the above instructions to delete it. In order to check whether the software has been installed, go to Settings>General>About and look for the Software version in the second line. However, if the software has been installed on your iPad, you can downgrade to iOS 14.8. In order to do that, check out the following article to get an idea.