they might force me to upgrade to iOS 26.

Hi there,
If you go into settings, general, software update, the first element past the software heading at the top of the screen is the "automatic updates" button. If you double tap on that, you will enter a new screen with a toggle switch. Turn the switch to off, and your phone shouldn't force the update.
If you already have iOS 26 downloaded on your system, but not installed, you can delete it. Just go to settings, general, iPhone storage, and the update should show at the top of the screen. Find it, swipe down while the actions rotor is selected, and you should hear a "delete" option.
Hope this helps!

These steps are assuming you do not wish to update to iOS 26.
1. Go to settings, general, software update. Disable auto downloads.
2. Back out of software updates, and scroll down to iCloud storage. Navigate through all of the applications install on your iPhone, and you should eventually find one labeled something like iOS update. Swipe up or down, and double tap on delete. Otherwise, double tap on the name, and on the next screen you should have an option to delete.

If you have an update in storage, and are unable to delete it, then Apple has probably taken that ability away from us. However, disabling auto download from the software update screen, and rebooting your device, should prevent it from automatically updating on you. Even if the software has already been downloaded.

HTH.

Edit: looks like Gar beat me to the punch line.

I concede, Brian. According to the Applevis timestamps, you replied at least six hours before me.
How to Disable Automatic Updates in Software Update Settings
By Gar on Saturday, December 6, 2025 - 02:55
Try the following
new
By Brian on Friday, December 5, 2025 - 20:00
Not sure how this is even possible, or what the best way is to report it. But I won't hijack this thread any further. Heh.

For me, Brian's comment appears to have been posted 5 minutes after Gar's.

Specifically, in my time zone of Australian Eastern Daylight Time, Gar's was posted on Saturday at 13:55, and Brian's was posted at 14:00.

I have never been able to figure out the timestamps here on AppleVis. To the OP, you at least have two people giving you the same instructions, so this should work out for you. Lol

I'm not having the problems some are discussing. My mail scrolls fine, for example. I hate where they put the search box, but I have adjusted. Frankly, it was worth it to get the bluetooth audio to my stereo without having Voiceover set to max on my phone.

CH

I’m glad it’s not just me. I’m kinda not a fan of where they put the search box but I’m getting used to it lol.

Sorry not knowing which device you have, me having the iPhone 12 which I love and will have to say good bye to in 2026 for a 16E and get used to that action button which is a waste of space on the device. Updated to IOS 26.1 which is the current IOS update and 26.2 is expected next week. You will have to do a few changes to the settings if you are not much into liquid ass and want to have good battery life for the day. More on that, later

If you're going to update, you might as well wait for 26.2 and make the jump. It should be released at some point this week, and it should be pretty stable. We're midway through the 26 cycle, and I think most of the critical bugs have been caught, but you can always monitor the website and bug tracker.

Sad that the voiceover and notification continues. No fix for it. Long live cats.

MacRumors published an article, "Apple Pushes iPhone Users Still on iOS 18 to Upgrade to iOS 26," about this last week. From the article, it sounds like Apple is making the iOS 26 update option more prominent, but it is not being forced on users and iOS 18 updates are still an option. From the article:

Starting today, that's changing. iOS 18 users who have not upgraded to ‌iOS 26‌ will now see iOS 26.1 as the recommended iOS update in the Settings app. iOS 18 updates are still an option, but are now displayed at the bottom of the app.

Apple isn't forcing users to upgrade to ‌iOS 26‌, but it is pushing the update more heavily than it was before in an effort to increase installation numbers. Some users may be hesitant to upgrade to ‌iOS 26‌ because of the Liquid Glass design overhaul that makes major changes to the ‌iPhone‌ interface.

Allowing users to stay on the prior-generation version of iOS is an option that Apple has provided since iOS 15, but it doesn't last forever. Right now, Apple is providing iOS 18 security updates to those who choose to stay on that operating system, but that may stop in the coming months.

So for the current time, if you want to stay on iOS 18, I personally see no compelling reason to upgrade to iOS 26.

Was listening to a YouTube video about 26.2, and apparently one bug that even sighted people still encounter is that when typing on the keyboard, even if you hit the correct letter on the keyboard, it sometimes types the wrong letter. I can only imagine how much thaT would mess with Voiceover. Anyone had this problem or heard about this issue?

When upgrading my iPhone from 18.7.1 to 18.7.2, the x.2 update was actually at the bottom of the Software Update screen, after the blurb about updating to iOS 26.1.

I think they are working on 18.7.3. Rumor has it this may be the last update that iOS 18 gets.

It’s good to update whenever you feel ready because you won’t get the security updates from 26 as far as having at least operating system. It’s also something where Apple can help you better if you’re running the latest system. I know you said you were already updated, but that’s just been my experience with Apple and updates. I’m on my third iPhone now. I have a base iPhone 15 in the 512 gig variant in the color pink. My secondary device is my product red iPhone SE third generation with a 256 gig variant. I updated both of them now they’re on the current version of iOS 6.1. Are the current version of iOS 26.1.

I didn't like how they moved the search box initially, but then when I read a mainstream article that said they moved it to the bottom of the screen and that makes it easier to reach, it made complete sense to me. I like it much better now.

I mean, I understand why they moved the search bars to the lower portion of the screen. I just do not like it. At all. I would rather have them add a toggle, giving us a choice if we want to have it in it's original position, or at the bottom of the screen.
Just my humble wish.