Can I skip iOS updates and update later?

Question

Can I skip iOS updates and update later?

I’m currently working on iOS 18.7.2 and I’m happy with it and how it works for my needs. I have never updated my phone as soon as the iOS update is released and available because I am seeing the same thing every update battery is dead so much quicker, my iPhone is red hot, I have photos missing etc etc I have only upgraded my iPhone last year for Christmas I had an iPhone 7 128 gb and I loved that phone but the security and service ended so I got the iPhone 13 and the difference between the two is amazing and I don’t think I will be getting a new iPhone for the next couple of years or so at least but back to the iOS updates is it possible to miss out on the iOS 26.1 and 2 or until the update is steady and stable and then update missing the ones I don’t want?

thanks

Posted on Dec 8, 2025 1:05 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

IdrisSeabright

Level 10

185,951 points

Dec 8, 2025 1:16 PM in response to Vernonscraggs

You can update whenever you want or need to. When you do update, you will get the latest version of the software. If you wait until, for example, iOS 26.5, that's what you will get. You don't update to any of the intermediate versions. All the changes in those versions will be in the latest version.

If your phone is overheating, though, you should have it evaluated by Apple. While updates may cause a phone to run a bit warmer and use a bit more battery for a couple of days after a major update, if it persists beyond that, there may be something wrong with your phone. If the phone is ever too hot to hold, turn it off, do not plug it in and contact Apple.

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Answer 2

Dec 8, 2025 1:20 PM in response to Vernonscraggs

If your iPhone is getting hot, that may indicate a hardware problem. (As was correctly mentioned previously.)

What is the battery health? (See Settings > Battery > Battery Health)

If 80% or lower, this iPhone is headed for battery replacement, or a repair.

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