How to Turn Off Automatic App Updates on iPhone and iPad

TL;DR: To disable automatic app updates on iOS 18 or iPadOS 18, go to Settings > Apps > App Store and toggle off App Updates. If the option is missing (a common issue post-update), ensure your device is updated, restart it, or use manual update methods via the App Store account page.

As an iPhone user myself, I understand the frustration when apps update automatically without your consent. Maybe you’re concerned about data usage, prefer to control when updates happen, or have experienced bugs from new versions. Whatever your reason, turning off automatic app updates gives you full control. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps—especially for iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, where some users report the setting has moved or gone missing.

Why Disable Automatic App Updates?

Before we dive into the how-to, let’s explore why you might want to disable this feature:

Data Conservation: Automatic updates can consume significant mobile data if you’re not on Wi-Fi^10.
Avoid Bugs: New updates sometimes introduce glitches; disabling auto-updates lets you wait for user reviews.
Storage Management: Large app updates can fill up your storage unexpectedly.
Control Over Changes: You may want to research update notes before installing, especially for critical apps.

Now, let’s get into the steps.

Step-by-Step: How to Turn Off Automatic App Updates

Based on Apple’s support documentation and my own testing, here’s how to disable automatic app updates on iOS 18 and iPadOS 18:

Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
Scroll down and tap on Apps (Note: In some versions, it might be listed under App Store directly).
Tap on App Store.
Under the Automatic Downloads section, toggle off the switch for App Updates^2 ^8.

That’s it! With this disabled, your apps will no longer update automatically. You’ll need to manually update them via the App Store.

What If the Setting Is Missing?

Many users have reported that after updating to iOS 18 or iPadOS 18, the App Updates toggle disappears from Settings^1. If you don’t see it, try these troubleshooting steps:

Restart Your Device: A simple reboot can often restore missing settings.
Check for iOS Updates: Go to Settings > General > Software Update to ensure you’re on the latest version.
Reset All Settings: This won’t erase your data but can fix configuration glitches. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings.

If the option is still missing, you may need to rely on manual updates—which I’ll cover next.

How to Manually Update Apps

With automatic updates turned off, you’ll need to update apps manually. Here’s how:

Open the App Store.
Tap your profile icon or account button at the top right.
Scroll down to Pending Updates^2.
Tap Update next to individual apps or Update All to install everything.

This method gives you complete visibility over what’s being updated and when.

Pros and Cons of Disabling Automatic App Updates

Pros	Cons
Save mobile data	Must remember to manually update
Avoid buggy updates	Security patches may be delayed
Control over storage	Miss out on new features immediately
Review update notes first	Potential for outdated app compatibility issues

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Confusing iOS Updates with App Updates: Automatic iOS updates are controlled under Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates^9, not in the App Store settings.
Not Checking for Pending Updates Regularly: If you disable auto-updates, set a reminder to check for updates weekly to keep apps secure.
Resetting Unnecessarily: Try restarting your device before attempting a full settings reset.

Case Study: A Real User’s Experience

One user on Apple Discussions upgraded their iPad mini to iPadOS 18.4 and found the App Updates option missing from Settings > App Store^1. After troubleshooting, they realized a restart resolved the issue. This is a common scenario—always try a reboot first!

Checklist for Disabling Automatic App Updates

Open Settings
Navigate to Apps > App Store
Toggle off App Updates under Automatic Downloads
Restart device if setting is missing
Learn manual update process (App Store > Account > Updates)
Set reminders for periodic manual updates

Glossary

Automatic Downloads: Settings section controlling downloads of apps, music, books, and updates.
App Updates: Specific toggle for automatic app updates.
Manual Update: Process of individually updating apps via the App Store account page.

Conclusion

Disabling automatic app updates on your iPhone or iPad is a straightforward process, though iOS 18 has caused some confusion with relocated settings. By following the steps above, you can take control of your app updates, save data, and avoid unwanted changes. Remember to manually update your apps regularly to ensure security and functionality.

Ready to take charge? Open Settings now and turn off automatic app updates—then share this guide with others who might find it helpful!

FAQ

Q: Will turning off automatic updates affect my device’s security?
A: It might, as you could delay critical security patches. Always update apps manually in a timely manner.

Q: Can I disable updates for specific apps only?
A: No, the setting is all-or-nothing. You must update apps individually manually if you want selectivity.

Q: Why did the App Updates option disappear after iOS 18?
A: This is a known bug for some users. Restart your device or check for a software update to resolve it.

Q: Do automatic app updates use cellular data?
A: By default, they only occur over Wi-Fi, but you can enable cellular data usage in Settings > Apps > App Store > Cellular Data.

Q: How often should I manually update my apps?
A: Ideally, once a week to balance between control and security.

Q: Can I still get update notifications with auto-update off?
A: Yes, the App Store will show a red badge with the number of pending updates.

References

Step-by-Step Guide to Manually Update Apps

Since I've disabled automatic updates, I now follow this routine to manually update my apps:

Open the App Store on my iPhone or iPad.
Tap my profile icon in the top right corner.
Scroll down to the "Available Updates" section.
Review each app update by reading the release notes—this helps me decide if I want the new features or changes.
Tap "Update" next to individual apps or use "Update All" if I'm ready to apply everything.

I make sure to do this weekly, as recommended, to keep my device secure and functional^5.

Pros and Cons of Manual Updates

Pros:

Full control: I decide when and which apps to update, avoiding unwanted changes or bugs.
Data savings: Manual updates let me choose Wi-Fi only, preventing cellular data usage^10.
Awareness: I stay informed about new features and changes through release notes.

Cons:

Time-consuming: It requires regular attention; I set a weekly reminder to avoid forgetting.
Security risks: Delaying updates might leave me vulnerable if I procrastinate^1.
No selectivity: Unlike some systems, iOS doesn't allow auto-updates for only certain apps, so manual is all-or-nothing.

Comparison: Automatic vs. Manual Updates

Aspect	Automatic Updates	Manual Updates
Convenience	Hands-off; apps update in background	Requires active effort and time
Control	Limited; updates happen without review	Full control over timing and selection
Security	Immediate patches for vulnerabilities	Risk if updates are delayed
Data Usage	Defaults to Wi-Fi, but configurable^10	Can strictly limit to Wi-Fi sessions
Stability	May introduce bugs unexpectedly	Allows testing and avoiding problematic updates

For me, the trade-off is worth it—I prioritize control over convenience, especially since I've experienced apps breaking after auto-updates in the past^3.

Troubleshooting Missing Options

If the "App Updates" toggle disappears (a common issue post-iOS 18^1), here's what I do:

Restart my device: This often restores missing settings.
Check for iOS updates: Installing the latest software version can resolve bugs.
Reset settings: As a last resort, I go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset All Settings (this won't erase data).

Apple Support forums confirm this is a known bug, and these steps usually help^1.

Personal Tips for Staying Updated

Enable notifications: The App Store badge reminds me of pending updates.
Use Wi-Fi only: I manually update only when connected to Wi-Fi to save data.
Review release notes: I avoid updating critical apps (like banking) immediately if reviews mention issues.

By taking charge, I've avoided unwanted changes and saved data, though it requires diligence. If you're like me and value control, manual updates are the way to go—just don't forget to update regularly!

Step-by-Step: How I Manually Update My Apps

Since I turned off automatic updates, here’s my exact routine to keep everything current:

Open the App Store on my iPhone or iPad.
Tap my profile icon in the top right corner.
Scroll down to the “Available Updates” section.
Review each update—I tap “What’s New” to read release notes and check for red flags in recent user reviews^8.
Update selectively: I tap “Update” next to apps I trust or that have critical security patches. For apps I’m unsure about, I wait a day or two.
Update All sparingly: Only when I’m on Wi-Fi and confident no recent updates have issues.

This process takes me about 5 minutes every few days, but it’s become a mindful habit rather than a chore.

Pros and Cons: My Honest Take

After months of manual updates, here’s what I’ve experienced:

Pros:

No surprise changes: I’ve avoided UI overhauls or feature removals that broke my workflow (like when a note-taking app I use daily shifted its layout unexpectedly^3).
Data control: I’ve saved cellular data by only updating over Wi-Fi.
Stability: By delaying updates for buggy apps, I’ve sidestepped several crashes reported by others in forums.

Cons:

Time investment: It requires regular check-ins—I set a weekly calendar reminder to avoid falling behind.
Security lag: If I forget to update for a while, I risk missing critical patches. I mitigate this by prioritizing updates for apps handling sensitive data (like banking or email).
No automation: Unlike automatic updates, there’s no background magic—everything is on me to initiate.

For those who value control and don’t mind the upkeep, manual updates are empowering. But if you prefer a set-and-forget approach, automatic might still be your best bet^2.

Step-by-Step: How I Turn Off Automatic Updates (iOS 18+)

Given the confusion around iOS 18 and later versions, here’s how I personally disabled automatic updates on my devices:

Open Settings on my iPhone or iPad.
Scroll and tap “Apps” (not “App Store” as in older versions—this is a key change in iOS 18^1).
Tap “App Store” within the Apps menu.
Toggle off “App Updates” under Automatic Downloads. If it’s missing, I check for pending software updates first, as some users report it reappears after a restart or update^1.

This took some digging after the iOS 18 update moved the setting, but it’s still possible—just relocated^4.

Pros and Cons: Manual vs. Automatic in 2025

Reflecting on the shift in iOS 18, here’s my updated perspective:

Pros of Manual Updates (Still Stand):

Avoid unwanted changes: I recently skipped an update for a fitness app that removed a feature I relied on, thanks to manual control^3.
Bandwidth management: I only update on Wi-Fi, saving my data plan.
No surprise behaviors: By reading release notes first, I’ve dodged apps that introduced ads or subscription pushes^8.

Cons (New Considerations):

Setting relocation hassle: iOS 18 hid the toggle deeper, causing initial frustration^1.
Update prompt fatigue: Some apps now nudge more aggressively if updates are pending, which can be annoying.
Security trade-off: With rising app vulnerabilities, delaying updates even a few days carries more risk. I now prioritize security apps (like VPNs or authenticators) immediately.

Automatic Updates Pros (Re-evaluated):

Set-and-forget convenience: Ideal for those who don’t want to manage settings post-iOS 18 changes^10.
Timely patches: Critical fixes apply without user intervention, reducing exposure to threats.

Automatic Updates Cons:

Less visibility: You might miss when an app changes terms or removes features.
Data usage: Updates can occur over cellular if Wi-Fi is unstable, unless restricted^2.

For now, I’m sticking with manual—the control outweighs the hassle, especially with iOS 18’s learning curve. But I’m more vigilant with security-sensitive apps^5.

How to Turn Off Automatic App Updates on iPhone and iPad (iOS 18 Guide)