To stop apps from updating automatically on iPhone, open Settings, tap Apps > App Store, and turn off App Updates. Turn it back on to have apps update by themselves. Apple says apps from the App Store update automatically by default, so this switch is on unless you’ve changed it.
This guide follows Apple’s How to manually update apps from the App Store and Change settings and restrictions in the App Store on iPhone articles. It covers the App Updates switch, updating apps by hand, the other App Store download settings, iOS updates, and what to check if the switch is missing.
How to Turn Automatic App Updates On or Off
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Apps, then tap App Store.
- Turn App Updates on or off.
Result: With App Updates off, apps no longer update in the background. Apple says you’ll get a notification from the App Store each time an update for one of your apps is released.
On iOS 17 and earlier, App Store is listed directly in Settings rather than under Apps, and the switch sits under Automatic Downloads.
How to Update Apps Manually
- Open the App Store.
- Tap the My Account button or your photo at the top of the screen.
- Tap App Updates.
- Tap Update next to an app, or tap Update All.
Result: The apps you picked update right away. Apple suggests this even with automatic updates on, if an app is having an issue and you want the newest version now.
Can You Turn Off Updates for Just One App?
No. The App Updates switch applies to all apps. To update some apps but not others, turn automatic updates off and update the apps you want by hand.
Other App Store Download Settings
The same screen in Settings > Apps > App Store has more options. Apple describes them as:
- App Downloads: automatically installs apps you buy on your other devices.
- In-App Content: downloads in-app content in the background before you first open an app.
- Cellular Data: lets the App Store use cellular data, with settings for automatic downloads.
- Offload Unused Apps: removes apps you don’t use. You can reinstall them if they’re still in the App Store.
- Video Autoplay: plays app preview videos automatically.
Result: Turning off Cellular Data keeps updates and downloads to Wi-Fi, which helps on a limited data plan.
App Updates vs. iOS Updates
Turning off app updates doesn’t affect iOS. The iPhone has two separate automatic update systems. iOS updates are controlled in Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates. Apps that come preinstalled on the iPhone update along with iOS rather than through the App Store.
See our guide to checking your iOS version and automatic updates for those steps.
What if the App Updates Switch Is Missing or Grayed Out?
- Check your iOS version: on older versions, look in Settings > App Store instead of under Apps.
- Low Power Mode: Low Power Mode can gray out the option. Turn it off and check again.
- Background App Refresh: Some users found the switch unavailable with Background App Refresh turned off.
- Screen Time limits: on a child’s iPhone, restrictions set with Screen Time can limit installing and deleting apps, per Apple.
Stop Apps From Other Devices Downloading to This iPhone
Open Settings > Apps > App Store and turn off App Downloads to stop apps purchased on your other devices installing automatically on this iPhone. Confirm the switch remains off. This is separate from App Updates, which updates apps already installed. Apple’s App Store settings guide distinguishes the two controls. On iOS 17, open Settings > App Store directly; an older iPhone 5 may use Settings > iTunes & App Store > Automatic Downloads > Apps. Use the control for app downloads, not Music or Books. Turning it off does not remove installed apps, and you can still download an app manually.
Update Apps Manually or Use the Older iOS 7 Controls
For a current iPhone or iPad, open App Store, tap your account photo or My Account, choose App Updates, then tap Update beside the app or Update All. Earlier account-page layouts list updates when you scroll down. On iOS 10, use the bottom Updates tab instead. Wait for installation to finish, reopen the app and check its version or the feature you needed. Apple documents the current manual-update controls.
In iOS 7, open Settings > iTunes & App Store and turn Updates off under Automatic Downloads to stop automatic app updates. The nearby Apps switch controls downloads of purchases from other devices. Turning Updates off does not turn off iOS system updates; you must check the App Store and install compatible app updates manually. These historical labels may appear on an old iPhone 5, while current devices use the App Store preferences above.
Turn Automatic App Updates On in the Older iOS 10 Layout
On an iPhone SE running iOS 10.3.2, open Settings > iTunes & App Store and turn Updates on under Automatic Downloads; green indicates that it is enabled. This is the historical layout used in our original iPhone SE tutorial. The nearby Use Cellular Data option controls whether those downloads may use cellular data. Leave it off if you want Wi-Fi-only downloads. Newer versions use the App Store and App Updates controls above. Turning automatic updates on does not promise that every available update installs immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to turn off automatic app updates?
The trade-off: updates often fix security problems and bugs, so if you turn automatic updates off, check for updates regularly.
Will turning off updates stop apps from downloading on cellular?
Turning off App Updates stops automatic updates on any connection. To stop all App Store downloads on cellular, also turn off Cellular Data on the App Store settings screen. On an Android phone, the setting is in the Google Play Store instead: see how to stop apps from updating automatically on Android.
More iPhone Guides
- How to check your iOS version and turn on automatic updates
- How to delete apps on iPhone
- How to block the App Store with Screen Time
Matthew Burleigh is the founder, head writer, and editor of Solve Your Tech, which he launched in 2012. He has written technology tutorials since 2008 and worked in IT since 2003, including small-business support, IT management, and consulting. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science from Arizona State University.
Matthew writes practical guides for Windows, iPhone and iPad, Microsoft Office, Outlook, Google apps, and Android. Solve Your Tech’s guides are tested on current devices or checked against official product documentation, with clear steps, sources, and update dates.
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