iPhone Won’t Update to the Latest iOS? Try These Fixes

Common causes

• An iPhone model that doesn’t support the latest iOS
• Not enough available storage space
• A slow download or no internet connection
• An iPhone that can’t reach the update server, for example through a VPN or proxy
• An installation that runs out of power or doesn’t complete

Step-by-Step Solutions

Work through the steps in order and try the update again after each one, leaving the computer and recovery mode steps for last.

1. 1

   Step 1: Check that your iPhone supports the latest iOS

   An update can only install on an iPhone model that supports the new software.

   Identify your iPhone model, then check whether it is on Apple’s list of compatible devices for the latest version of iOS. If your iPhone is on the list, keep going with the steps below.

   To see where you are now, open Settings, tap General, then Software Update. It shows the version of iOS that’s installed and whether an update is available.

2. 2

   Step 2: Connect to power and Wi-Fi

   An update needs an internet connection, and it helps to keep your iPhone on power.

   Plug your iPhone into power and connect to a Wi-Fi network. Apple recommends using a network rather than a personal hotspot when you download software updates. VPN or proxy connections might prevent your iPhone from contacting the update servers.

   The download time depends on the update size and your internet speed. For a faster download, avoid downloading other content at the same time. You can keep using your iPhone, and it lets you know when the update is ready to install.

3. 3

   Step 3: Free up storage space

   Your iPhone needs enough free space to download an update.

   Open Settings, tap General, then iPhone Storage. The available storage is shown at the top of the screen, along with recommendations and a list of apps and how much space each one uses.

   To make room without deleting your personal information, tap Enable next to Offload Unused Apps. Offloading an app frees the storage it uses but keeps its documents and data.

   You can also free up space yourself:

   • Delete apps you no longer use.
   • Back up your photos and videos to iCloud, then remove them from your iPhone.
   • Delete message conversations and attachments you no longer need.

   Good to know

   If a message asks to temporarily remove apps because the update needs more space, tap Continue. Those apps are reinstalled automatically after the installation is complete. If you tap Cancel instead, you can delete content yourself to make more space.

4. 4

   Step 4: Try again after an update alert

   Some alerts mean your iPhone can’t reach the update server or verify the update.

   Try updating again on the same network. If you still see an alert, try another network, or update with a computer as described below. If it keeps happening after you’ve tried several networks, you can remove the update and download it again.

   These alerts appear when your iPhone can’t reach the update server or can’t verify the update:

   • “Unable to Check for Update. An error occurred while checking for a software update.”
   • “Unable to Check for Update. Checking for a software update failed because you are not connected to the internet.”
   • “Unable to Download. This update is not available because you are not connected to the internet.”
   • “Unable to Download. This update requires a Wi-Fi network connection to download.”
5. 5

   Step 5: Give the installation time to finish

   An installation can look slow or stuck while it’s still working.

   The time an update takes depends on its size and your iPhone’s storage. The progress bar may move slowly or appear to stop, and sometimes it completes and then starts again. Let your iPhone finish.

   During a wireless update, keep your iPhone connected to power. If it runs out of power, connect it to power and turn it on so the update can complete.

   If the update seems stuck, pressing a button may help. If an “updating” message appears, the update is still going.

   Good to know

   If the update never completes or your iPhone stops responding, Apple suggests forcing it to restart.

6. 6

   Step 6: Delete the update and download it again

   Removing a downloaded update lets you start over with a fresh copy.

   Open Settings, tap General, then iPhone Storage. Find the update in the list of apps, tap it, then tap Delete Update.

   Then go back to Settings, tap General, then Software Update, and download the latest update.

   Good to know

   If you don’t see the update in the list of apps, or the problem happens again, update your iPhone with a computer instead.

7. 7

   Step 7: Update with a Mac or Windows PC

   If the update won’t install wirelessly or doesn’t appear on your iPhone, you can use a computer you trust.

   Back up your iPhone using iCloud or your computer first. If your computer is using Personal Hotspot on the iPhone you’re updating, connect the computer to a different Wi-Fi or Ethernet network.

   On a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, open a Finder window and connect your iPhone. Select it in the left sidebar, click General, then click Check for Update. Click Download and Update, follow the onscreen instructions, and enter your passcode if asked.

   On a Windows PC, connect your iPhone with a USB or USB-C cable or over Wi-Fi. In the Apple Devices app, select your iPhone in the sidebar, then select General in the sidebar. You may need to select Check for Update first. If an update is available, select Update.

   Good to know

   If “Trust this Computer” appears, unlock your iPhone and tap Trust. Your computer can’t update a locked iPhone. On a Mac with macOS Mojave or earlier, Apple says to use iTunes instead.

8. 8

   Step 8: Use recovery mode as a last resort

   Recovery mode lets your computer update or restore an iPhone it can’t otherwise work with.

   Use recovery mode if your computer doesn’t recognize your iPhone or says it’s in recovery mode, or if the screen shows the Apple logo for several minutes without a progress bar.

   Make sure your Mac is up to date, or get the latest version of the Apple Devices app on a PC. Connect your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable, then open the Finder on your Mac or the Apple Devices app on your PC.

   On iPhone 8 or later, including iPhone SE (2nd generation and later), press and quickly release the Volume Up button, press and quickly release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the side button until you see the “Connect to computer” screen.

   When the Update or Restore options appear on your computer, try Update first if you haven’t yet. Restore reinstalls iOS and erases all your data.

   Good to know

   If the download takes more than 15 minutes, your iPhone might leave the “Connect to computer” screen. Let the download finish, then repeat the steps above.

Frequently Asked Questions

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