If you still receive iOS or iPadOS update notifications after turning off automatic updates in Settings, a Block OTA configuration can help hide OTA updates on iPhone and iPad. However, this is a configuration provided by a third party; install it only when you understand its source, and always keep a manual update option available when needed.
Here’s how to install the Block OTA configuration, check its status, and remove it so your device can receive updates normally again.
Turn off automatic updates first
On your iPhone or iPad, open Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates. Turn off the options to automatically download or automatically install iOS/iPadOS updates. Apple still recommends updating software to receive security patches and bug fixes (according to Apple Support).
Install the Block OTA configuration
On your iPhone or iPad, open the Block OTA configuration download page and tap the download button. The device will notify you when the configuration has been downloaded. Open Settings, tap Profile Downloaded or the recently downloaded profile, then follow the on-screen instructions to install it. You can download the configuration from the Beta Profiles Block OTA page (according to Beta Profiles).
Note: This configuration may appear under the name tvOS beta profile. This is how the OTA-blocking method works and does not mean that the device is being upgraded to tvOS. Do not install configuration files from unknown sources.
Restart and check
After installing the configuration, restart your iPhone or iPad. Then go to Settings > General > Software Update. If the screen displays “iOS is up to date” or no OTA update is available, the configuration is working as described by the provider (according to Beta Profiles).
If the update still appears, check Settings > General > iPhone/iPad Storage and delete the downloaded update file if present, then check again.
You do not need to keep changing the device’s date and time. Setting the date before a fixed point such as December 14, 2026 is not appropriate guidance for the current process and may cause errors with other services. Leave Set Automatically turned on.
Remove the Block OTA configuration
When you want your device to receive and install updates normally, remove the configuration as follows:
- Open the Settingsapp.
- Select General > VPN & Device Management.
- Tap the displayed Block OTA profile or tvOS beta profile, select Remove Profile, then enter the device passcode if prompted.
- Restart the device, then go to Settings > General > Software Update to check again.
On devices running iOS 16.4 or iPadOS 16.4 and later, if you only want to stop receiving official beta updates, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates > Off. For earlier versions, Apple instructs users to remove the beta profile under VPN & Device Management (according to Apple Support).
After removing the profile, check again at Settings > General > Software Update. If you installed an iOS or iPadOS beta using a computer, Apple says you need to restore the device to remove the beta and return to the current public version; back up your data before proceeding (according to Apple Support).
Recommendation: Delaying updates may cause the device to miss security patches. OTA should only be blocked for as long as necessary, and the configuration should be removed when you want to update again.
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