how to proceed in update without setting up iCloud

wednesdaytgw wrote:

how do I proceed in set up without signing into or setting up iCloud

and, can I turn off the perpetual password and iCloud reminders?

If you have an Apple ID, your iCloud account exists. Whether or not you use it is entirely up to you. As I do not have an iPhone that has not been set up to test anything on, my ability to describe things is limited. If it were me, I would set up the phone however it asks. Then, go to Settings and tap on your Apple ID at the top. Tap on iCloud and turn everything off. I believe this would also do away with the reminders. You could then log into iCloud on your computer and check to make sure that there is no data there, and delete anything as necessary. Because the phone isn't using iCloud, deleting things through the web interface will have no effect on the phone. This would seem to achieve your goals of having no data stored in iCloud and of not getting reminders.

I don't understand why someone who is concerned about security would want to avoid setting up a password but, it's your phone and your data.

you can see if you are able by using itunes

Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iTunes - Apple Support

or if you have a newer mac Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with the Finder - Apple Support

It's not entirely clear what you mean by "iCloud". Do you mean you don't want to sync your data or back it up using iCloud? Or do you mean you don't want to have an Apple ID? If you mean you don't want to use iCloud to sync or back up, just don't turn those features on.

If you mean you don't want an Apple ID, see if these instructions help:

Follow these steps to set up your iPhone without an Apple ID:

1. Power on your iPhone by
2. Pressing and holding down the device’s power button until the Apple logo appear.
3. You’ll see "hello" in the first screen.
4. Choose your preferred language and select your region.
5. Next up, you will see two options: Quick Start or set up manually.
6. Tap Set Up Manually option to continue.
7. Next on, you need to connect to a Wi-Fi network.
8. If you have already inserted your SIM card, you can use cellular data to activate and continue setting up your device.
9. You can now create a passcode, set up Face ID or touch ID. In case you don’t want to use these features, you can tap set up later in settings however, we recommend setting them up to unlock your iPhone and make purchases.
10. Next up, you will see an option to restore or transfer your data from your old iPhone to your new iPhone, but since this is a new set up without an Apple ID,
11. Pap Set Up as New iPhone.
12. Finally, you will see a sign in screen where you enter your Apple ID and password. Instead, tap the Forgot password or don’t have an Apple ID.?
13. You will see three options:
    1. Forgot password or apple id?
    2. Create a Free Apple ID?
    3. Set up Later in Settings
14. Tap Set Up Later in Settings.
15. A dialog box asking if you're sure you don't want to use an Apple ID will pop up.
16. Tap "Don't Use" to confirm and you'll be able to finsh settin up your iPhone without an Apple ID.

Please note that 1) I cannot test these instructions myself and 2) you will be severly limiting the utility of an iPhone if you do not use an Apple ID.

You don’t need iCloud to set up or update your phone.