Cutler James R <james.cutler@consultant.com> writes:

On Sep 26, 2013, at 5:22 PM, Mark Lancaster <marklanc@gmail.com> wrote:

...

I have heard a lot of questions and debate about whether the iOS updates download automatically:

“Available updates download automatically if your device is connected to Wi-Fi and a power source.”

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4623 <http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4623>

/mark

The wording in step 2 is poorly done. The availability of updates is what is downloaded.

Step 3 indicates an active user input to begin download is required.

The updates do download automatically, but only if the device is on wifi and power at the same time. For iOS 6, a check for available updates will be attempted at a randomly chosen time on a randomly chosen day of the week. If one is found, an automatic download may follow if/when on power and wifi. Opening the Software Update pane will cause an immediate check for available updates. If one is found it will be displayed to the user, who may touch the button, which will complete the download (even if not on power or not on wifi, although there are minimum battery charge requirements and some updates can't be downloaded over cell) as necessary, and then perform the install. So, an ISP will see initial traffic when an update is released, as people manually install it, and some continuing traffic spread over at least the next week as the automatic downloads occur. Then, of course, once people have updated their device, they'll want to use it: update their apps, download a new Siri voice, buy music...