Remove iPadOS 26.2 update and stop upgrade prompts

If the update has indeed been downloaded to your device, it will be under:

Settings>General>iPad Storage.

You may need to scroll through the list (possibly having to tap the "Show All" button) to find the downloaded update which will be named something like "iPadOS 26 update" or similar. To delete it (if it's there), tap on it, then tap on "Delete App" and confirm the deletion.

If it is not in the list, it has not yet been downloaded to your device so there will be nothing to delete.

Note that you can not stop the update notification messages prompting/nagging you to update, nor the red notification badge on the Settings app icon. The only way to get rid of the update notification messages/red notification badge is to update iPadOS.

heath33 wrote:

Unable to remove iOS 26. I need help

Rolling-back to an earlier version of iOS/iPadOS 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.

If any Apps no longer work properly following update to a more recent version of the OS, you’ll need to seek assistance from the related App Developer - as only they can resolve issues with their App:

How to contact an app developer - Apple Support

Perhaps consider that iOS/iPadOS updates include both functional and essential security updates. Restoring an earlier version of the OS would undermine the security of your device and your personal data. 

pleazexplain wrote:

Thank you for informing us where to find the upgrade software so we can delete it. What about in iPhone?

Exactly the same sequence applies to delete a downloaded (but not yet installed) update package from iPhone.

However, while the choice is entirely yours to make, in not installing an available update that includes essential security patches will leave your device(s), files and data increasingly vulnerable to both known and emerging security threats and vulnerabilities.

If you value the security of your data and privacy, installing available updates is strongly recommended.

pleazexplain wrote:

Is this legal to prevent the screen from locking on a device the consumer owns?

You'll need to provide some context. Is your phone not locking when you press the side button?

I have a couple of games, most notably a solitaire game that prevents the screen from locking.

MoonlitMermaid wrote:

Couldn’t find it, dang it! I HATE this update! I HATE AI on my devices! So sick of AI!

Once installed, as with any iOS/iPadOS update, the update cannot be reversed.

As for "AI" being installed, if your device is relatively recent and actually supports Apple Intelligence, this feature-set can simply be disabled from settings:

Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri > Apple Intelligence - set to OFF

If some other aspect of iPadOS 26 is bothering you, should you choose to share a description, contributors here may be able to offer appropriate advice or guidance.

A complaint frequently seen here, subsequent to updating to iOS/iPadOS 26, is the new Liquid Glass presentation. While this core feature can't be fully disabled, it is relatively easy to suppress much of its unwanted visual effects...

iOS/iPadOS 26.1 introduced a new setting that subtly charges the appearance of Liquid Glass:

Settings > Display & Brightness > Liquid Glass - select Clear or Tinted

Sadly, for iPad, this new setting makes very little difference for those that dislike the appearance and overlapping screen elements introduced with Liquid Glass . If you are experiencing difficulty with the new Liquid Glass UI, there are other settings that can significantly improve the appearance and suppress the majority of unwanted effects:

1. Settings > Accessibility > [Vision] Display & Text Size > Reduce Transparency - set to ON
2. Settings > Accessibility > [Vision] Display & Text Size > Increase Contrast - set to ON
3. Settings > Accessibility > [Motion] Reduce Motion - set to ON

Each if these settings can be used individually, or in combination. Setting Reduce Transparency alone (1) will likely suppress the majority of your issues. The Reduce Motion setting (3), if used, will eliminate the "lensing" effects of the Liquid Glass UI. Experiment; you should find a combination that works for you.

I suggest that you begin with setting Reduce Transparency to ON - and then, if needed, experiment with additional use of one or more of the other options.

NB: The new Display & Brightness > Liquid Glass setting can only be changed/toggled while Reduce Transparency is set to OFF. You might find that setting Liquid Glass to Clear, prior to enabling Reduced Transparency to ON, may give the best result.

fotocano wrote:

So what you are telling me, is that the red notification badge on the Settings app icon wil be there forever, if I choose not to update iPad OS to 26?

Correct.

Whether you update or not is entirely your choice. However, the notification badge - that indicates availability of an update - will remain until such time as the device is updated to the available version.

Is this legal to prevent the screen from locking on a device the consumer owns?

Thank you for informing us where to find the upgrade software so we can delete it. What about in iPhone?

Couldn’t find it, dang it! I HATE this update! I HATE AI on my devices! So sick of AI!

Unable to remove iOS 26. I need help

heath33 wrote:

Unable to remove iOS 26. I need help

That is a simple one if you mean downgrading from iOS 26. You don't. Downgrading any iOS version has never been supported.

ugh as usually with the big A