How to avoid having iOS 8 automatically downloaded on your device
Apple’s iOS 8 will be available to download by the general public starting at 10 a.m. PDT tomorrow.
While Apple’s servers will more than likely be clogged with users clamoring to install the big update, there are always people who don’t want to have the latest and greatest software running on their iOS device.
Those users should be safe for a little while. But just like in 2013 with iOS 7, Apple at some point will more than likely automatically download the new iOS version to your device without specific permission.
And it will likely take up around 2GB or more of free space, which is a big deal for users with just a 16GB iPhone or iPad. Even so, actually installing the update requires users interaction by going to General, Software Update in Settings.
While there is no perfect solution to stop this from happening, we do know of a few workarounds. The easiest is to make sure your device has a small amount of free space, somewhere around 600MB or less. That way there won’t be enough space for the update to download.
Another way is to make sure that your iOS device isn’t connected to Wi-Fi and plugged into a power source at the same time. Automatic downloads will only occur when that happens.
Even though the outrage last year was somewhat understandable due to the radical UI changes in iOS 7, I can’t exactly see why anyone wouldn’t want to upgrade to iOS 8. There are a number of exciting new features including app extensions, third-party keyboard support, and much more.
One exception would be if you own an older device and are worried the new iOS would slow down your iPhone or iPad, or, as pointed out in the comments, if you still jailbreak your device.
For other news today, see: Apple adds two-factor authentication security feature to iCloud.com, Apple’s iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus shown off in some early hands-on videos, and Cases for Apple’s iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus begin arriving to customers.
