How to avoid downloading iOS 26?

If you haven't already updated your iPhone to iOS 26, you can inhibit automatic download and update by changing some settings:

Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates >

[iOS Updates]

• Automatically Install - set to OFF
• Automatically Download - set to OFF

[System Files]

• Automatically Install - set to OFF

With these settings, no updates will occur - unless you manually initiate an available update.

If you have already updated to iOS 26, you cannot remove or roll-back the update. Reinstalling an earlier version of iOS is not possible. All System Updates are digitally signed by Apple - and can only be installed whilst the digital signatures remain valid. After release of a new iOS/iPadOS version, the immediately preceding version continues to be digitally signed by Apple - however, usually within a few days, Apple will revoke the digital certificate with which the earlier version is signed.

Perhaps consider that iOS/iPadOS updates include both functional and essential security updates. Restoring an earlier version of the OS, or failing to update to an available newer version, would undermine the security of your device and your personal data. 

You cannot downgrade iOS.

You can turn off automatic updates, but if your iPhone is already on, say, iOS 26.2, turning off automatic updates would just keep it from automatically updating to a hypothetical iOS 26.3 (when that comes out). It would not let you go back to any version of iOS 18.

Please follow this path,

iPhone > Settings > General > iPhone Storage > let the individual apps populate the window, this may take 30 seconds or longer > sort by size > the download should appear near top of list > tap the item in the list > tap Delete.

raarkes122 wrote:

Done tried all of that! Don’t word , I can not download nothing ! I can’t sign in to nothing google 2 years / yahoo more than 2 years

Please start your own thread.

List all of what has already been tried, and all of what has happened, lest some or all of it gets suggested again. The “Done tried all of that” is the usual outcome of omitting details too, unfortunately. We don’t know what has already been tried, or what happened. You’ve previously reported “My iCloud acc , google acc all of my stuff has been hacked by a ex”, which also seems relevant.

If Apple believes you owe them money, then Apple updates and Apple app store downloads will be restricted until the billing issue is resolved. That won’t usually affect other platforms, but older iOS versions and older app versions might.

Issues ongoing for two years across multiple platforms (Apple, Google, Yahoo) are unlikely to be resolved through forum postings too, as I’m guessing you’ve already made postings about this previously. This as most or all of the usual options have already been tested and eliminated. And if access to the reportedly-hacked accounts has not been regained in two years, then that access is unlikely to ever be regained.

I don't want iOS 26 and turned OFF Automatic Installation and Automatically Download. >>>But the system downloaded iOS 26 anyway.<<< Is that because I didn't turn off Security Responses and System Files?

I just now turned off Security Responses and System Files. (I had thought that that was just some security patches, but maybe it was a whole operating system?)

Is there a way I can get rid of the downloaded copy of iOS 26 that I don't want and make my phone STOP reminding me to install it?

Thank you.

Sjm99 wrote:

i dont want to download ios 26

I'm confused. Your tag line suggests you have an iPhone 11 which is currently on iOS 26?

Well , I can’t download notion! So how about taking that also!

I don’t have to worry about that part! There is no downloading on my phone, apple said I owe a bill ? That I didn’t make ! Does anyone with them cover up names want to own up to doing that?

Done tried all of that! Don’t word , I can not download nothing ! I can’t sign in to nothing google 2 years / yahoo more than 2 years

raarkes122 wrote:

Well , I can’t download notion! So how about taking that also!

What does that have to do with not wanting to update to iOS 26? Notion only requires iOS 17.

Your profile indicates that your iPhone 11 device has already downloaded and installed iOS 26. However, the specific issue you wish to avoid is not clear from your post.

Thank you!!! That fixed it for now. The "reminders" to install iOS 26 were freezing all my apps. I'm very glad to have my phone back. Now I can figure out what to do next.

You’re welcome and I hope you have a great day!