How do I delete auto download of ios7

It appears that this forced download happens when you connect to a Wifi network with Internet access.
Another phone we have which has not been connected to our network by wifi but uses mobile data still shows the "download and install" button on the update notification in the phone with a note saying that it can't download or install without a wifi connection.
Itunes is not mentioned at all so it looks like it is being pushed to the phones and Ipads over a wifi or internet connection and bypassing Itunes. This despite having auto updates turned off etc. and with no notification at all that it is happening.
Great if you are on a high cost internet data plan or dialup.
Rather sneaky (being extraordinarily polite and through gritted teeth)

I have the multiple iDevices listed below, all connected to the same Wi-Fi access point at home and all are put on the charger at night with the Wi-Fi connection enabled (two of the criteria for the auto-push, the third being space available for the update).

iPhone 4 (8 GB)

iPhone 5 (16 GB)

iPad mini Wi-Fi (16 GB)

iPad 3 Wi-Fi /Verizon (16 GB)

iPad 4 Wi-Fi

The iPad mini and the iPhone 4 (8 GB) got the auto-pushed download. The others did not. I was furious when I found that these updates were auto-pushed to my devices, without my knowledge nor consent... especially on the iPhone 4 (8 GB). The update (after it's downloaded and extracted/prepared for install) can take up to ~3.1 GB on the device. Some other users along with myself have come up with work-arounds & solutions to the issue (posted in other threads). I have personally spent hours figuring out how to remove this mess. For Apple to push this update to an 8 GB device, having no easy way to delete it and leaving me with less than 1 GB for use is totally ridiculous. I have sent multiple feedback items concerning this. To those affected users, please send feedback. This is simply uncalled for.

http://www.apple.com/feedback/

.

I too would like to delete the update! Ever since my iPad was revised, I've had a ton of trouble. . . It's become non-responsive to touch (have to touch several times to open an app); won't open a number of internet pages for seemingly no reason; and the worst of all, my speakers stopped working properly. Took it in to get fixed - the tech said it was definitely due to the 7 download. There was so much running in the background that the speakers sounded like a bad radio transmit! Tried a hard reboot, thought it was fixed, but now I have no sound at all! And my warranty JUST ran out! I will never buy Apple again, if this can't be fixed. This iPad cost me a small fortune and now I'm told Apple doesn't offer parts?? Arghh!

If I was near the end of my monthly mobile allowance, 3gb download could cost me £300 in penalties!

Kingston83 wrote:

I too would like to delete the update! Ever since my iPad was revised, I've had a ton of trouble. . . Took it in to get fixed - the tech said it was definitely due to the 7 download.

Note the the issue in this topic is *not* concerning devices that have already been updated to iOS 7 and the user's problems with iOS 7. It is concerning devices that are still running iOS 6.x.x (or other) and have had the iOS 7 update file pushed to their devices by Apple without the user's knowledge nor consent. This update when extracted and prepared for install uses ~3.1 GB just sitting on the device.

The topic is concerning this update file, it's use of ~3.1 GB of the device's memory and the user's inability to easily remove the file if the user does not wish to perform the actual update.

Geezus! 3 gigs gone and the annoying attention seeking red 1 icon showing all day long. Apple, why push the dam ios 7 to users who dont want it? Now take the **** ios7 back. I want my 3 gigs to be used the way i want it. Not you.

Im a first time iphone user, but it will be the last.

Users should NOT have to deal with this intrusion on their device(s). I spent many hours figuring out how to get rid of this pushed update and keep it off my device(s). Even when I found out how to remove it, it came back the next time I was connected to Wi-Fi under external power.

I have a work-around here:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5385718?start=0&tstart=0

In addition (after getting rid of the update), block the following Apple Update server in your router's settings (usually under Access Restrictions):

mesu.apple.com

Leave feedback to Apple concerning this here:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/

Wow, this must be the biggest annoyance I ever experienced with an Apple product, taking memory away from users devices. That issue already rendered my iPad Mini useless, and I gave it away for that reason. The workarounds, thanks for those, worked, but once in a Wifi one has no control over the memory gets eaten away again. Hope there is a fix for that, otherwise I will ditch my Ipad 3 32gb as well.

Bone art, how did you get the file to dissapear after soft restart? have tried over 4 times and i never get the space back... have the ipad filled to the brim 0 bytes. please help

Haven't tried it with an IPad yet just with the Iphone.

Try the methods posted by NZZZZZ which are for the iPad

I wouldnt suggest trying that anymore anyone! looks like apple has already changed up the install procedure for ios7 update, it now has a secondary agreement to terms after pushing install and does NOT work, IT SUCCESFULLY UPDATED ME TO IOS 7- my worst fears... it went to a screen that I have to connect to itunes and forced me to update before I could get to any of my restore points 😟..... very unhappy!

I just figured out my iPad has already downloaded the update WITHOUT MY CONSENT and is wasting space in my device, and wasting bandwidth without even the slightest indication that my device was downloading it.

Also I cannot cancel the download on my iPhone 4 either, unless I don't turnon Wi-Fi.

Since when Apple has the right to tell me what I can or cannot have in my own disk space or what I can or cannot download?

This is completely unacceptable.

Are you seriouse!!

They push an unwanted download and when their customers complain and try to stop it installing rather than saying sorry they respond by forcing the install as well.

I gave them the benifit of the doubt and thought the wifi download push "might" have been Apple just being a bit over enthusiastic but this latest just proves them to be arrogant and completely devoid of any interest in or care for the wishes and well being of their customers.

I bet they will now start spouting how great the new IOS uptake is, a bit like all those prison inmates who "choose" to all wear the same uniform

I know a lot of these big corporates are unethical but this takes that to a whole new level.

The iphones and Ipad we own were our first such Apple devices, they will certainly be our last.

Are you saying this method no longer works?? I was just about to try it... phew.

"Part 2. Delete iOS 7 firmware downloaded automatically:

Method A: If you have backup in iTunes, recover it. (I didn't test this method, so it's on your own risk.)

Method B: Open Settings->General->Software Update, Click "Install Now". There will be a prompt says "Verifying update...", Wait until this prompt disappear, there will be a spinning wheel on the black background. Immediately press and hold both of the power and home buttons at the same time. DO NOT release the power and home buttons for about 10 seconds. Your device will reboot. It's done. The automatically downloaded firmware will have been deleted. Now read part 1 to prevent automatically downloading in the future."