How to update iOS software on your iPhone

Learn how to update your iPhone to the latest version of iOS.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• You can update your iPhone from the Software Update section of the Settings app.
• It’s possible to set up automatic updates on your iPhone, so it downloads whenever a new iOS is available.
• If your iPhone won’t update to the new iOS, it might be too old or not have enough storage space.

Apple releases updates for the iPhone pretty regularly. In addition to at least one major update to the OS each year, there are generally a few incremental updates throughout the year, often to fix bugs and perform security improvements.

You can set your iPhone to update itself automatically, or manually update it yourself. Here’s what you should know.

Before installing iOS update, back up your iPhone

Diving into all the new features of the latest iOS update can be exciting, but you’ll want to backup your iPhone before updating to the new operating system. You should do this because it is possible that you may lose your data in the updating process. Backing up your iPhone will also give you the option to revert to the previous version of iOS if you find that the current iOS version isn’t right for you.

With default settings enabled, your iPhone will back up your data regularly during sleep hours, if it’s connected to power and Wi-Fi. However, if the automatic backup feature is disabled, you can go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and then hit Back Up Now to manually back up your device.

How to update your iPhone automatically

The easiest (and most secure) way to manage iPhone updates is to let your device handle it.

Here’s how to make sure your iPhone is ready to update automatically:

1. Start the Settings app.
2. Tap "General."
3. Tap "Software Update."
4. Tap “Automatic Updates.”
5. Turn on “Download iOS Updates.”
6. Turn on “Install iOS Updates.”

When both switches are turned on, your iPhone will download update files to the phone and then install them automatically overnight, when your phone is charging and locked.

Note: If you prefer, you can turn off Install iOS Updates but leave Download iOS Updates turned on. If you do this, the update will download to the phone and wait for you to install it manually.

How to update your iPhone manually

If you want to manage updates yourself, or the phone isn’t installing updates automatically for some reason, you can do it yourself.

1. Start the Settings app.
2. Tap "General."
3. Tap "Software Update."
4. If there is an update available, tap Download and Install. Agree to the terms and conditions, and wait while the update downloads to your phone.
5. Finally, tap Install to complete the update.

Troubleshooting tips if your iPhone won’t update

If your iPhone won’t update either manually or automatically, try these troubleshooting methods.

Make sure your iPhone is compatible

Before starting to install iOS update, find out if your iPhone is compatible. Here’s the full list of the iPhones that supports Apple’s new software update.

• iPhone XS
• iPhone XS Max
• iPhone XR
• iPhone 11
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone 12
• iPhone 12 Mini
• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 13
• iPhone 13 Mini
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone SE (second generation and later)
• iPhone 14 (and Plus)
• iPhone 14 Pro (and Pro Max)
• iPhone 15 (and Plus)
• iPhone 15 Pro (and Pro Max)

Check that you have enough available storage

Major iOS update file size are usually several gigabytes, and if you’re running out of storage, you’ll need to clear some room before you can download and install iOS update.

To see how much free space your phone has right now, open the Settings app, tap General, and select iPhone Storage. The amount of storage you have available will be listed at the top of the iPhone Storage page.

Quick tip: If you don’t have enough free space, you can delete unnecessary apps and files to free up space on your iPhone.

Make sure your iPhone is connected to power

You won’t be able to download iOS update if you’re under 50% battery, so it’s safest to plug in your phone while you update. Even if you’re plugged in, the battery needs to be over 20% to install iOS update.

Connect to WiFi

You won’t be able to download iOS update using your mobile data, so connect to a stable Wi-Fi network before starting the installation.

For the best results, perform the update at home or in the office, where you know you have dependable WiFi.

Restart your iPhone

Restarting your iPhone can solve any number of small glitches, including corrupted files or other bugs that can interfere with an iOS update.

For details on how to restart your iPhone, check out our article on restarting and force-restarting any iPhone model.

Update your iPhone from your computer

On rare occasions, you might run into a glitch and find that your iPhone can’t install an update, either automatically or manually. If that happens, you can install it from a PC or Mac.

1. Plug your iPhone into your computer.
   • On a Mac (macOS 10.15 or later): In the Finder sidebar, select your iPhone, then click General at the top of the window.
   • On a Mac (macOS 10.14 or earlier) or a Windows PC: Open the iTunes app, click the button resembling an iPhone near the top left of the iTunes window, then click Summary.
2. Click Check for Update.
3. To install an available update, click Update.