Apple decided to remove one of the little irritations of iPhone and iPad. Developers on Tuesday got their first look at iOS 13.6 and the iPad equivalent, which give users the option to not download new system software updates.

This is important enough to bring on a new iOS version number.

Less iOS upgrade hassle

Previously, when Apple introduced a new version of iOS or iPadOS, this would eventually download itself onto users’ iPhone or iPad and ask to be installed. Users had the option to not install it, but they still got the download.

Starting with iOS 13.6, and the iPad version too, users are given a toggle switch to turn off the automatic downloads. This is ideal for those who don’t want to upgrade. And it’s an improvement for people who want to decider for themselves when to download and install.

It’s slightly surprising that Apple would add a new feature to iOS 13, given that iOS 14 is widely expected to be unveiled at the Worldwide Developers Conference on June 22.

Say hello to iOS 13.6 and iPadOS 13.6

While the first beta of iOS 13.5.5 was seeded to developers a week ago, along with an iPad equivalent, this will never be released. They’ve been supplanted by iOS 13.6 and iPadOS 13.6.

But the pre-release versions introduced today are just updates to the ones from last Tuesday, not completely new. Apple calls them both Beta 2.

And they are only for developers, not the public. They can only be installed by those who have paid a $100 annual fee to join the Apple Developer Program. When versions for the general public will be available is not known.