Unable to Update your iPhone or iPad? Here's What to Do

As we eagerly anticipate the release of the major iOS 17 update for iPhones in a few short months, it’s a perfect time to ensure your device is up-to-date. If you’ve experienced challenges when updating your iOS you’re not alone. To help you prepare for a smooth transition to iOS 17 when it launches this September, we’ve prepared a detailed guide to troubleshoot common issues faced during the iOS updates. Let’s delve into it and ensure your iPhone is primed and ready for the exciting new features on the horizon.

Checking Device Compatibility with Latest Software

The latest iOS updates may not be compatible with older iPhone models. If you’re not seeing a notification to upgrade to the new software upon its release, it’s possible that your device isn’t compatible. Here’s how to verify your device compatibility:

1. Identify your iPhone or iPad model.
2. Check if your model is on the list of devices that support the latest iPadOS or iOS release.
3. If compatible, update to the most recent version of iPadOS or iOS available for your device.

But what if your iPad or iPhone is compatible with the latest version and still refuses to update? Then the problem could be due to other reasons.

Insufficient Storage Space on Your Device

Updates can struggle to install if your device is short on storage space. Old text messages, photos, videos, cached data, and unused apps can eat up a lot of space. If space is tight, the software may attempt to delete app data and other re-downloadable information to make room for the update.

How to Increase Storage on Your iPhone

Underutilized apps and cached data are often the primary culprits of storage space depletion. Here are some steps to perform a quick clean-up and free some space:

1. Check your phone’s storage and delete unnecessary apps

Certain smartphone apps can consume a significant amount of phone memory. If you’re not regularly using such an app and it doesn’t impact your phone’s functionality, consider removing it.

• Navigate to Settings, then General, and tap on iPhone Storage.
• This will display your iPhone’s memory usage, the most space-hungry apps, and the remaining memory.

To delete a high-space-consuming app, navigate to Settings, select General, tap iPhone Storage, select the app you want to delete, and choose Delete App.

If you believe you might need an app in the future, you don’t need to remove it entirely. Using the Offload feature will preserve the app’s related information and files, enabling you to re-install it later and pick up where you left off. Read our other article on how to clean up iPhone storage.

2. Save your photos and videos using cloud storage

Your iPhone’s storage can quickly get overwhelmed by photos and videos. To alleviate this, consider saving your media on cloud services such as OneDrive, Google Photos, or Dropbox. Be sure to save everything before you delete any content from your phone to prevent accidental data loss.

3. Use music streaming services

Instead of downloading your favorite songs or albums and taking up precious storage, consider using a music streaming service like iTunes Match.

For further space-saving measures, consider deleting old messages that you no longer need and regularly cleaning out the browser cache.

If despite all these efforts, your device still lacks the space for the update, consider updating it via a computer.

4. Update Your iPhone Using a Computer

If the update issue persists, consider using a PC or Mac for the update process.

If you are updating using a PC or a Mac with macOS Mojave or an earlier version, follow these steps:

• Launch iTunes.
• Select the device button from the toolbar.
• Tap on Check for Update under the Summary tab.
• Select Download and Update.
• Follow the on-screen instructions. You may need your passcode during the process.

For updates using a Mac with macOS Catalina or a later version:

• Launch Finder.
• In the Finder window’s left sidebar, choose your device.
• Click General and then select Check for Update.
• Tap on Download and Update.
• Follow the on-screen instructions. You may need your passcode during the process.

Slow Download of Updates

A stable internet connection is vital for updating your iPhone or iPad. The time taken to download an update can depend on its size and the speed of your internet connection. It’s best to use a high-speed Wi-Fi connection while downloading the update, and ensure no other download is in progress.

Inability to Reach the Update Server

If your update can’t be downloaded correctly, your iPhone will display an error message with a note or number. The Apple Support webpage provides explanations for these errors and offers potential fixes. If you see warnings like “Unable to Install Update. [Software] update requires a network connection” or “Unable to Check for Update. An error occurred while checking for a software update,” it might be an issue with Apple’s servers.

Unfinished Updates

While updating, the progress indicator may seem slow-moving. The size of the update and the amount of data on the device can affect how long it takes to complete the update.

If your device battery drains completely while attempting an update, plug it in and switch it on to complete the update and restore.

Resetting Factory Settings

If all else fails and updating your phone continues to be a hassle, a factory reset could be your last resort. Before attempting a reset, be sure to back up your data as everything beyond the pre-installed apps and software will be deleted.

To reset your iPhone:

• From the Settings menu, select General and then tap on Reset.
• Select Erase All Content and Settings. You will need to enter your Apple ID or passcode and password to confirm the action.
• Follow the on-screen instructions and select Erase iPhone.

After successfully following the steps, your screen will turn black, and the device will need some time to erase completely. After the factory reset is complete, your device will switch back ON.

Devices Compatible with the iOS 16 or iPadOS

• iPhone 8 and 8 Plus
• 2nd and 3rd generation iPhone SE
• iPhone X, XR, XS, and XS Max
• iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max
• iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, and 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, and 14 Pro Max