Philip Houska Apple tries to get its latest operating systems into the devices of as many users as possible. This is quite understandable, as new updates bring both improvements and better security, and Apple and third-party developers are starting to shift their focus almost exclusively to the latest iOS. However, for some, the constant popping up of notifications asking to install a new iOS may be undesirable, because they do not want to update for various reasons. There is a procedure to prevent this.
Users who decided not to switch to the latest operating system, at least initially, received regular notifications from Apple a few days or weeks after the official release of iOS 10 that they could now install the new system. When you have automatic application updates set up, iOS will silently download its latest version in the background, which is then just waiting to be installed.
You can do this - directly from the received notification - either immediately, or you can postpone the update until later, but in practice this means that the already downloaded iOS 10 will be installed in the early hours of the morning, when the device is connected to power. However, if for any reason you refuse to install the new system, you can prevent this behavior.
How to turn off automatic downloads?
The first step is to turn off automatic downloads. This will prevent you from downloading updates in the future, since you probably already have the current one downloaded. IN Settings > iTunes & App Store in the section Automatic downloads Click Update. Under this option, the mentioned background updates are hidden, not only for applications from the App Store, but also for new operating systems.
How to delete an already downloaded update?
If you had automatic updates disabled before iOS 10 arrived, the new operating system was not downloaded to your device. However, if you have already downloaded the installation package with iOS 10, it is possible to delete it from the iPhone or iPad so that it does not take up storage space unnecessarily.
V Settings > General > iCloud Storage & Usage > in the upper section Storage choose Manage storage and in the list you need to find the downloaded update with iOS 10. You select Delete update and confirm the deletion.
After following these two steps, the device will no longer constantly prompt you to install a new operating system. However, some users point out that as soon as they reconnect to Wi-Fi, the installation prompt appears again. If so, repeat the process of deleting the installation package.
Blocking specific domains
However, there is another more advanced option: blocking specific Apple domains that are specifically related to software updates, which will ensure that you will never download a system update to your iPhone or iPad again.
How to block specific domains depends on each router's software, but the principle should be the same for all routers. In the browser, you must log in to the web interface via the MAC address (usually found on the back of the router, e.g. http://10.0.0.138/ or http://192.168.0.1/), enter the password (if you have never changed the router password, you should also find it on the back) and find the domain blocking menu in the settings.
Each router has a different interface, but usually you will find domain blocking in the advanced settings, in the case of parental restrictions. Once you find the menu to select the domains you want to block, enter the following domains: appldnld.apple.com a meat.apple.com.
When you block access to these domains, it will no longer be possible to download any operating system update to your iPhone or iPad on your network, either automatically or manually. When you try to do this, iOS says it can't check for new updates. However, it's important to remember that if domains are blocked, you won't be able to download new system updates on any other iPhone or iPad, so if you have more than one in your household, this could be a problem.
If you really want to get rid of the frequent notifications about installing the new iOS 10, because for example you want to stay on the older iOS 9, the steps mentioned above should be followed, but in general we recommend that you install the latest operating system sooner rather than later. You will not only get a whole range of news, but also current security patches and, above all, maximum support from both Apple and third-party developers.
This message is very annoying. This is behavior like MS and its imposition on Windows 10. I don't understand why it is not possible to simply disable notifications somewhere. For example, if I have an older iPhone, installing a new OS usually slows it down, and I simply don't want to put iOS 4 or 8 on such an iPhone 9S (but such a window does not pop up there yet). And the solution that I will prohibit something on the router is nice, but if I have more things from Apple at home and I don't want to update just one, then it is useless.
if I block the IP on the router (see article) will I be able to download new mac/iphone applications? (or will it just block updates?)
Thank you for your question, Václav. Apparently it only blocks operating system updates, but I haven't tried it personally.
OK. that's how I found out Airport time capsule (Apple router) doesn't have the option to filter websites. Well, I'm not going to buy a new router, I'll wait a little longer to see if someone comes up with something and then I might (reluctantly) try the aforementioned option of installing a beta tvOS profile - I don't want to do it, but it will probably be the most feasible.
There is one more option. Install beta tvOS profile and iOS update will not be found.
https://writekay.github.io/Disable-OTA/
I want to thank you for the article. the message is really annoying and when you add to that the unclicking of ads in the app, it's disgusting....slowly but surely, using the iPhone is no longer a joy and it becomes like "big brother",, he really sees everything. I don't care about the latest software because I have a fairly large range of apps that I suspect may not be compatible with the new ios and these apps have disappeared from the app store