Why is Software Updates using so much data?

Looking at my cellular data and I see that software updates is using a lot of data.


How can I prevent this? I don’t need the turn off cellular data answers. This has not occurred in previous iOS versions. It is only recently iOS 16 that I’ve noticed this issue.


iPhone 13 Pro Max

Posted on Jan 29, 2023 11:46 AM

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Question marked as Best answer

Does “everything turned off” include Cellular Data in Settings/App Store:


Posted on Mar 5, 2023 2:20 PM

12 replies
Question marked as Apple recommended

Jan 30, 2023 9:09 AM in response to psdance

Because Software Updates are very large so you use a lot of data. When updating, make sure the iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi. and if asked wether to use Cellular data or Wi-Fi choose Wi-Fi.


iOS 16 now offers the option to use Cellular data for updates, but you are free to use Wi-Fi by choosing the option when asked.



Feb 20, 2023 7:31 PM in response to Phil0124

Finally tally is 1.3 GB of cell data used for Software updates. I already updated to 16.1 over wi-fi.


I just wish Apple would allow me to control my cell data usage. It's been a request and a need since the advent of the iPhone. Can you imagine if I didn't have a large cell data plan?


I've turned off all the automatic updates, will see what happens the next month.


Sep 8, 2023 8:07 AM in response to Phil0124

FWIW I had the same issue pop up this month--341 mb "Software Updates" in cellular data usage, plus another 320 for other system services, which is a dramatic increase. But I was never asked to update/choose cellular or wifi. I have cellular data usage turned off for app store, have Data Mode as Standard and had Automatic Updates for iOS turned on. I've now switched the latter off. We'll see.

Sep 8, 2023 8:13 AM in response to psdance

I've had the same problem, but with App Store Cellular Data turned off. Still looking for an answer. I'm trying with Automatic Updates for iOS turned off. It's unclear whether iOS updates require approval prior to download--Apple Support reports that users are prompted to choose, in iOS16, whether to download over 5G or wait for wifi. I was not prompted thusly. I'm unsure if the 660mb spike of system services data usage—half of which was Software Updates—actually included an iOS update. But the spike came out of nowhere and killed my data allowance.

Sep 20, 2023 7:35 PM in response to psdance

I also have all cellular data turned off and have still used over 750 MB of cellular data for Software Updates in the first three weeks of September. I don't think that I had the problem before updating to 16.5.1. Now running 16.6.1 and am hesitant to update to iOS 17.


From the number of people on this page with the same problem, it seems Apple has a problem they are not addressing.

Why is Software Updates using so much data?

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