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Comment by ubercow13 | Hacker News Reader

Not if you don't use wifi. In fact it is impossible to install security updates without wifi.

If you never connect your phone to the internet, you probably don't need to worry about security updates.

I am constantly connected to cellular internet, so I probably do.

This is 100% incorrect. Updates can be installed via a wired connection to iTunes running on a PC or Mac or over 5G cellular data.

Some of the updates can't be installed via cellular for some reason.

Can you link to any proof of that? I haven't seen it.

I just had to connect to wifi for the update to start, the button was greyed out. If you don't trust me on this, I can send you a screenshot when this happens.

Do you have the "Allow More Data on 5G" option selected? iOS updates will not be allowed otherwise.

That’s the point.

What's the point? The post I replied to used the word "impossible" and I pointed out that it's absolutely not impossible.

Wait a second, yesterday I misread your comment, is this only available on 5G and not below? What is the reasoning for gating it to newer phones and countries that have that infrastructure, considering my pixel has no issues updating over 4G?

Apple has an agreement with the carriers to not allow iOS updates over pre-5G networks. Carriers used to be able to (possibly still can?) disable things like FaceTime over cellular too.

What a shitty thing to do, but thanks for the info.

Right, but you're missing the point that you have to do that intentionally. You're not going to bed at night with iOS 14.x and wake up with iOS 14.x+ because your cable connected itself to the laptop and ran the update. It will however do this if you are on wifi. This is the point the GP felt was not necessary to expand.

Thank you for the correction, my PC isn't supported by iTunes and my iPhone doesn't support 5G so I never knew this. I guess I have to buy a new $1000 phone to get this artibrary restriction lifted.

What OS are you using that doesn’t support iTunes?

Linux, or another non macos *nix probably.

Apple never came out with an iTunes Linux client? Wow!

Still you have options, load windows in a vm (hint: ms releases a fully functioning vm image every month that works for all major hypervisors). Install iTunes and you’re all set.

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