Newsroom Update
Apple and Google deliver support for unwanted tracking alerts in iOS and Android.Learn more >
Apple and Google deliver support for unwanted tracking alerts in iOS and Android.Learn more >
User profile for user: Lawrence Finch
Lawrence Finch User level: Level10
by: Lawrence Finch
Last modified:May 16, 2024 9:57 AM
84 76993 Last modifiedMay 16, 2024 9:57 AM
STOP: Before doing anything that might cause data loss, make a backup of your iOS device to either iCloud, your computer, or both for extra security—>How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support
Check compatibility:
- iPhone XR, XS, SE 2nd or 3rd edition, iPhone 11 and newer: You can update to iOS 17.5
- iPhone 8 and iPhone X, you can update to 16.7.8
- Any iPhone series 6S and 7, and originalSE: You can update to 15.8.2
- iPhone 5S or 6: You cannot update to iOS 13 or higher; you can update only to iOS 12.5.7
- iPhone 5: You can update only to 10.3.4
- iPhone 5C: You can update only to 10.3.3
- iPhone 4S: You can update only to 9.3.6
- iPhone 4: You can update only to 7.1.2
If your phone is compatible, for most users, just go toSettings/General/Software Updateor follow Apple's update support article→Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
If you have a problem updating with your computer (rather than over the air) the first place to go is→ If you see an error when you update or restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod - Apple Support
For over-the-air updates, hereare the conditions that must be met to update iOS:
- Youmust have a fast Wi-Fi connection; you cannot update over cellular dataunless you have a phone that supports 5G (series 12, 13, 14, 15 and SE 3rd edition) and you have a 5G connection
- You cannot update using an iPhone personal hotspot
- You must have a cellular network connection with cellular data enabled so the account can be verified after downloading the update
- Thephone can not be in Low Power mode (how to tell: The battery icon will be yellow in low power mode)
- Thebattery state of charge must be above 50%
- Youmust have at least 6 GB of free storage (for iOS 14 or later), and more is better
- Youcannot be connected through VPN
- Ifyou are not planning to update automatically overnight you should turn this option off, as it will only update when the phone is plugged in, connected to Wi-Fi and locked
- If you do want to update overnight your phone must be connected to power, Wi-Fi and it must be powered on and locked overnight - if it doesn't update go back to doing it manually so you can see any error messages
- Even for manual updates youshould leave the phone plugged in until it finishes updating, both to assure that it remains above 50% and to keep Wi-Fi enabled (Wi-Fi turns off when the phone sleeps if not connected to power)
Here are a few special conditions:
- If you had a beta on your phone you must remove it by following these instructions→Apple Beta — Unenroll Your Devices
- If you had a “bootleg” beta version (i.e., not from Apple's seed, developer, or public beta sites) or you jailbroke your phone you probably can't update unless you reset your phone to factory settings→Restore your iOS device to factory settings - Apple Support
Finally, if nothing you do works for an over the air update you can always update using your Windows PC or Mac. It's described at the top of the page in→Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
Here’s more info from Apple→If your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch won’t update - Apple Support
REALLY Finally, if you have given up hope either post as many details as you can think of in response to this post, or contact Apple's support team using the Get Support link at the top of every page.
User profile for user: Chris0107
Chris0107 User level: Level9
Dec 23, 2020 6:53 AM
Hi Lawrence,
This is a great user tip, I refer to it constantly.
There is just one other link that I wish was in here..
you never mention anything about errors, the 'won't update' link also does not mention errors.
So I regularly add this link in conjunction with yours when people post vague things like 'can't update'
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201210
just my 2 cents, you may have left out any reference to errors intentionally?
Dec 23, 2020 6:53 AM
User profile for user: Lawrence Finch
Lawrence Finch User level: Level10
Dec 23, 2020 7:10 AM
Thanks, I will add that, although I don’t think it addresses most user’s problems. The one problem with that link is it does not address error 4000, which is guaranteed to happen at this time updating with iTunes for Windows, until Apple releases a version of iTunes without this bug.
Dec 23, 2020 7:10 AM
User profile for user: Tesserax
Tesserax User level: Level10
May 30, 2021 4:24 PM
Great user tip! Thanks for pulling it together, and like Chris0107, I will be referring to it frequently as well.
May 30, 2021 4:24 PM
User profile for user: Katana-San
Katana-San User level: Level9
Oct 27, 2021 8:56 PM
Hello my friend ~ This is another great piece of work. Masterfully done and I know I will refer to it often. Thank you for the knowledge…again!
~Katana-San~
Oct 27, 2021 8:56 PM
User profile for user: H1290
H1290 User level: Level5
Jul 8, 2023 10:13 AM
Thank you kindly for this! Very well written and put-together! 😊
Jul 8, 2023 10:13 AM