To check your iOS version, open Settings, tap General, then tap Software Update. Your iPhone shows the version it’s running and whether an update is available. To turn automatic iOS updates on or off, tap Automatic Updates on that same screen and switch Automatically Install on or off.
These steps come from Apple’s iPhone User Guide page Update iOS on iPhone and Apple Support’s Update your iPhone or iPad article, both written for iOS 27. Apple says updating to the latest iOS keeps your data and settings, but recommends backing up first.
How to Check Your iOS Version
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap General.
- Tap Software Update.
- Read the version number at the top of the screen.
Result: Apple says this screen shows the currently installed version of iOS and whether an update is available. The Community Solution help desk also points to Settings > General > About, where an iOS Version row lists the version.
How to Turn Automatic iOS Updates On or Off
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
- Tap Automatic Updates.
- Turn Automatically Install on or off.
- If you turned it off, you can turn on Automatically Download instead.
Result: with Automatically Install on, Apple says your iPhone downloads and installs updates overnight while it’s charging and connected to Wi-Fi, and notifies you before it installs one. With only Automatically Download on, updates download in the background so you can install them later. Apple notes that Automatically Download only appears after you turn off Automatically Install.
How to Update System Files Only
Apple also lets your iPhone install system file updates, which improve features without changing your iOS version.
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates.
- Under iOS Updates, turn off Automatically Install.
- Under System Files, turn on Automatically Install.
Result: your iPhone keeps getting system file updates, but you decide when to install a new version of iOS.
How to Update iOS Yourself
- Back up your iPhone with iCloud or your computer.
- Plug it into power and connect to Wi-Fi.
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
- Tap Download and Install, then follow the onscreen steps.
Result: your iPhone installs the update. If the update doesn’t appear, Apple says you can update with a computer: use Finder on a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, or the iTunes app on older Macs and Windows PCs, then click Check for Update.
Should You Leave Automatic Updates On?
Apple calls keeping your software up to date one of the most important things you can do for your device’s security, and recommends turning on automatic updates. Most people should leave them on, but some users turn them off to avoid early bugs in a new release, as long as they still update manually.
Troubleshooting
There isn’t enough space
Apple says that if a message asks to temporarily remove apps, tapping Continue lets the system remove them and reinstall them after the update. Tap Cancel if you’d rather delete apps or other content yourself.
The update won’t download
Apple notes that some updates aren’t available wirelessly, and that VPN or proxy connections might stop your iPhone from reaching Apple’s update servers. Turn off the VPN or update with a computer.
FAQs
Does turning off automatic iOS updates stop app updates?
No. App updates have their own setting. See how to turn automatic app updates on or off.
Can I go back to an older iOS version?
Usually not. Apple stops allowing older versions to be installed shortly after a new release, and any downgrade needs a computer and erases the phone.
More iPhone Guides
- How to turn automatic app updates on or off
- What are the iPhone reset options?
- How to delete apps on iPhone
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read hundreds of millions of times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.