How to turn off automatic app updates on iPhone

App updates often bring new features and bug fixes, but automatic updates can eat up storage or cellular data at inconvenient times. If you’d rather choose when your iPhone® updates apps, you can turn this feature off.

At Asurion, we help millions of people set up and troubleshoot devices every day. Whether you’re setting up your new iPhone or looking for ways to reduce data usage, we’ll walk you through how to turn off automatic app updates.

Turn off automatic app updates in Settings

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap App Store.
3. Under Automatic Downloads, turn off App Updates.

Manage updates manually in the App Store

1. Open the App Store.
2. Tap your Profile Icon in the top-right corner.
3. Scroll down to see pending updates.
4. Tap Update All or update apps individually.

Understand Wi-Fi vs. cellular update settings

You can also decide whether updates use Wi-Fi or cellular data:

1. Open Settings > App Store.
2. Under Cellular Data, toggle Automatic Downloads on or off.
3. Toggle App Downloads to control whether large apps download automatically or require approval.

These settings help you manage storage and avoid excess data charges. Learn more ways to reduce data usage.

Troubleshooting if updates still happen automatically

1. Restart your iPhone to refresh settings.
2. Confirm that automatic downloads are disabled in Settings > App Store.
3. Ensure you’re signed in with the correct Apple ID.
4. Update to the latest iOS version—automatic updates may reset after software updates.

FAQ

Can I disable automatic updates for only some apps?

No. The automatic updates setting applies to all apps. To update selectively, leave auto-updates off and update apps manually.

Will turning off automatic updates stop iOS updates too?

No. iOS system updates are controlled separately in Settings > General > Software Update.

Can I save data by turning off automatic updates?

Yes. By turning off auto-updates on cellular, you can prevent background downloads that use data.