Preparing for iOS 16 & iPadOS 16: How to Turn Off Automatic Download & Installation of iPadOS / iOS Updates (also issues with iOS 15.7 & iPadOS 15.7)

It is anticipated that Apple will be releasing iOS 16 around 12:00pm CDT today (9/12/22): https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-16-release-date/

They have delayed the release for iPadOS 16 to October 2022 (I’ll update this post when a specific date is announced): https://www.macrumors.com/2022/08/23/apple-seeds-ipados-16-1-beta-1/.

Updated 1/26/23: Problems with iOS 16.3: Apple users – The latest iPadiOS update (16.3) seems to be causing issues with iCloud Backup and iCloud Drive – turning them off and showing an error message when you try turn them back on. It is requiring Two Factor Authentication to be turned on to use these features now. Please don’t install this update for the time being, until further information is known.

Updated 12/21/22: Issues with YouTube on iOS 16.x: https://piunikaweb.com/2022/12/01/youtube-app-not-loading-or-crashing-on-ios-16-devices

Updated 10/11/22: Based on this tweet it looks like iPadOS 16 might release the week of 10/24/22. Several replies to that tweet mentioned it being buggy/glitchy in beta testing:

iPadOS 16.1 is on track to be released the week of Oct. 24th — barring any new bugs or issues. Apple has historically held launches the week of its earnings calls in October.

— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) October 10, 2022

Historically the whole number iOS updates tend to cause problems. Several years ago I had an iPad “brick” and it had to be restored to factory settings. Almost every whole number iOS release has caused issues with AAC apps and therapy apps. And general device issues unrelated to any specific app.

Most developers of robust AAC apps have done everything that they can do to prepare for the newest iOS. But it is wise to wait for awhile for kinks to be worked out and for app developers to have time to release updates to fix any problems. And Apple often releases secondary iOS updates to fix issues. I typically wait several months and watch for posts from app developers indicating that it’s safe to install the new iOS.

Unfortunately the “default” setting on an iPad is usually for the iOS updates to be automatically downloaded and automatically installed. In order to prevent that from happening, please check the settings on any iPad or iPhone being used for AAC or as a therapy tool. Even if you have toggled it off in the past please take the time to check it again. I found that a recent iOS update had toggled it back on.

• Go to Settings (grey gear) – General – Software Update – Automatic Updates – toggle off Download iPadOS (iOS) Updates

Update: I’m already seeing posts related to iOS 16 issues & some related to the iPadOS 15.7 update. I’ll keep updating this post to provide examples of what folks are experiencing

The current list of iOS 16 problems includes abnormal battery drain, Wi-Fi issues, UI lag, crashes, Touch ID issues, and installation issues. See this website for more info: https://www.gottabemobile.com/ios-16-problems-fixes/amp/ & https://www.gottabemobile.com/ios-16-problems/amp/

I also saw this about iOS 16 interfering with being able to update apps: https://www.macrumors.com/2022/09/12/iphone-users-unable-to-update-apps-app-store-error/

9/16/22 This info was posted in a comment in the Tobii Dynavox Community group on Facebook by one of the moderators of that group: “We are recommending to wait a little bit after release just to be safe. Once the final build of iOS16 comes out, we will be testing the final build with TD Pilot, TD Snap, and TD Talk and will then be able to make a definitive recommendation. Also, in the current beta, there is an issue with AssistiveTouch, however Apple says it will be resolved before release.”

And some folks are having problems with the iOS 15.7 & iPadOS 15.7 update:

9/23/22:

FYI… I shared this post with several AAC app developers and in several AAC user groups on Facebook to hopefully prevent AAC users from encountering issues.

What’s interesting is one AAC app developer chose to remove my post from their group with the “feedback” that “new versions of iOS do not get installed automatically”. While in theory that should be true I’ve personally had an iPad revert to auto download and auto install of iOS updates and had to manually toggle it off again. Plus my post is intended to help folks make an informed decision as to whether or not it would be wise to upgrade to iOS 16 / iPadOS when it first comes out. It can’t hurt to be cautious and wait to upgrade to the new iOS.

I appreciate those who shared it. Special shout-out to my AAC friend Lauren Enders Gonzalez, MA, CCC-SLP for helping to spread the word: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02xRcWs2Cx16ASN1r8cZ5SbS943qpPC5xadRxdbPCq5Lj5ovcZhig2YowNPzZGzgBzl&id=178231088981549

While you’re on that device now would also be a good time to backup all customized programming: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2021/03/21/backup-aac-customized-programming/

If you’re in a very large school district that has hundreds of students using iPads for AAC, then I’d check with your IT department to see what the options are for temporarily toggling off the automatic download and installation of iOS updates. If that’s not feasible in your district, then take this as a “heads up” that you may need to have paper-based AAC options on hand just in case they are needed.

What to do if you have an iPad on an older iOS: Unfortunately on older versions of iOS there’s not a way to prevent the iOS update from downloading. But it should ask for permission before installing it. A sign that an iOS update has downloaded is a sudden large drop in available memory. To find that file to delete it on an older iOS, go into Settings – General – Storage & iCloud Usage – Storage – Manage Storage. Wait for the app list to populate and then delete the one with the grey gear. For example, I have an iPad Pro 9.7” that I purposefully kept on iOS 10.3.3 in order to avoid losing a bunch of apps when iOS 11 rolled out. By deleting that iOS update file I freed up 3.7GB of memory and helping to prevent an accidental update. I periodically get a notification asking me to update the iOS. I am very cautious to tap “Details” and then close out of it. Also go to Settings – iTunes & App Store – and toggle off Updates under Automatic Downloads.

Why am I concerned? There are historical issues every time that Apple rolls out a whole number iOS update. Some caused major problems. iOS 15 had several issues. The fact that Apple has delayed release of iPadOS to work out bugs is a red flag 🚩. Of course I have no way to know what will happen with iOS 16 but am seeing enough red flags to be concerned and to post about it.

It’s heartbreaking when AAC users lose their voice when a new iOS rolls out and causes glitches. Now is the time to prevent that from happening.

Have a question? The best way to reach me is via Facebook messaging over on my OMazing Kids page: https://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsAAC/

Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP, Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC, OMazing Kids AAC Consulting

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