Not able to take a chance on iOS 26? You may cease an iOS replace in its tracks in case you don’t need to be pushed into the newest model.
There are all types of causes you may not need to improve. Possibly you just like the velocity and stability of iOS 18. Maybe you don’t need Apple’s divisive new Liquid Glass person interface slowing down your ageing iPhone.
Whereas Apple is lastly beginning to push individuals to replace to iOS 26, you don’t have to associate with the gang. Clearly, you may disable automated updates to placed on the brakes, but it surely gained’t be lengthy earlier than Apple begins sending push notifications and crimson badges, encouraging you to replace.
Fortunately, there’s a secret trick to cover these and ensure your cellphone stays on iOS 18 for so long as you want. Right here’s how.
Cease the iOS 26 replace and keep on 18
Apple rolls out its main software program updates incrementally. On launch day, you may manually obtain and set up an iOS replace from Settings. A couple of month later, Apple begins recommending the replace by default if you go to your iPhone‘s Software program Replace display screen. The ultimate stage is when Apple begins sending notifications and badges urging individuals to put in the brand new model.
This may be irritating in case you don’t need the replace, however there’s a trick to verify your cellphone by no means will get it. And even in case you don’t replace to iOS 26, you’ll nonetheless get a number of years of safety updates on no matter model of iOS you keep on.
Granted, you may’t delay perpetually — if you change your iPhone, it’ll include the brand new model. And after some time, apps and options would possibly begin to break or cease updating on older variations of iOS.
Nonetheless, right here’s how you can keep away from iOS 26 and Liquid Glass till you’re prepared for the replace.
Desk of contents: Tips on how to cease your iPhone from updating to iOS 26
- Change your iPhone’s replace settings
- Change to the iOS 18 beta
- Set up iOS 18 updates
- iOS 26 options
Change your iPhone’s replace settings
Screenshot: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
If you wish to keep away from updating to iOS 26, the very first thing you have to do is flip off automated updates. Go to Settings > Common > Software program Replace > Computerized Updates. Change off the setting on the prime that robotically installs iOS Updates. Then, flip off the opposite setting for robotically downloading iOS Updates.
Nevertheless, to be on the protected aspect, you may go away the center setting on to put in Safety Responses & System Information. In line with Apple, system information will “enhance iPhone performance with out altering the software program model.”
Change to the iOS 18 beta
Screenshot: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Now for the sneaky half, the place you cease the iOS 26 replace useless in its tracks. Return to Software program Replace, then faucet Beta Updates. (If this feature doesn’t seem, open this hyperlink to enroll within the Apple Beta Software program Program. Then faucet Begin your enrollment, register utilizing your Apple Account, and conform to the phrases. After that, you need to be capable of see the “Beta Updates” part in Software program Replace.)
In Beta Updates, you’ll see three choices: Off, iOS 26 Developer Beta and iOS 18 Developer Beta. Faucet iOS 18 Developer Beta. Switching to this beta observe means Apple won’t ever current an iOS 26 replace to you.
You would possibly see a warning that your iOS 26.1 obtain shall be deleted. That’s precisely what you need. For those who see this, faucet OK.
Set up iOS 18 updates
Lastly, return to Software program Replace and also you’ll see the iOS 26 replace changed by an iOS 18 replace. Or, you would possibly see nothing in any respect. Be at liberty to put in these safety updates to iOS 18.
Congratulations — you’ve stopped the iOS 26 replace, and also you’re freed from Liquid Glass (not less than in your iPhone).
New options in iOS 26
For those who do find yourself updating to iOS 26, you may try a few of its new options right here:
D. Griffin Jones is a author, podcaster and video producer for Cult of Mac. Griffin has been a passionate pc fanatic since 2002, when he obtained his first PC — however since getting a Mac in 2008, he hasn’t turned again. His abilities in graphic and net design, together with video and podcast modifying, are self-taught over 20+ years. Griffin has a bachelor’s diploma in pc science and has written a number of (unpublished) apps for Mac and iOS. His assortment of outdated computer systems is made up of 40+ desktops, laptops, PDAs and units, courting again to the early ’80s. He brings all of those inventive and technical abilities, together with a deep data of Apple historical past, into his work for Cult of Mac.
