Latest IOS for iPhone SE (16GB)?

I am having difficulties updating my iPhone SE (16GB) from IOS 12.4 In order to install the UK NHS Covid-19 Track and Trace App which requires IOS 13.5 or above. This is described in my post "Insufficient storage for IOS 14.0.1". This thread seems to have gone quiet. As you will see, I have tried to update via PC on iTunes without success. I have also tried to make more free space without success. This question is - am I wasting my time? Do I need to buy a later iPhone model to run the NHS app?

iPhone SE

Posted on Oct 5, 2020 4:34 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 5, 2020 5:00 AM

A 16GB iOS device is going to have almost no space at all in order to update at this point unless you have virtually nothing on your phone at all. You need to remove more content in order to update. The OTA file could be a few GB in size.


I read your post in the iTunes for Windows forum. I will address those points here.


iCloud storage has nothing to do with the physical storage on your phone. You cannot add to the storage on the phone itself and that’s where you need the space for the update.

What's the difference between device storage and iCloud storage? - Apple Support


You said that most of your storage is being taken up with “other” data. The fix for that was supposed to be updating to iOS 13.6.1.

Clear Other storage on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support


You don’t have the space in order to update and yes, the current version is 14.0.1 and you would only have the option to update to the latest version of iOS.


If you want to update, you need to clear the bloated other data from your phone. Your best bet would be to backup, restore to factory settings and the restore the backup. Since you are running iTunes on your PC, I recommend using that to backup, restore and then restore the backup.

How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support



3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 5, 2020 5:00 AM in response to Cleanwillie

A 16GB iOS device is going to have almost no space at all in order to update at this point unless you have virtually nothing on your phone at all. You need to remove more content in order to update. The OTA file could be a few GB in size.


I read your post in the iTunes for Windows forum. I will address those points here.


iCloud storage has nothing to do with the physical storage on your phone. You cannot add to the storage on the phone itself and that’s where you need the space for the update.

What's the difference between device storage and iCloud storage? - Apple Support


You said that most of your storage is being taken up with “other” data. The fix for that was supposed to be updating to iOS 13.6.1.

Clear Other storage on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support


You don’t have the space in order to update and yes, the current version is 14.0.1 and you would only have the option to update to the latest version of iOS.


If you want to update, you need to clear the bloated other data from your phone. Your best bet would be to backup, restore to factory settings and the restore the backup. Since you are running iTunes on your PC, I recommend using that to backup, restore and then restore the backup.

How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support



This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Latest IOS for iPhone SE (16GB)?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.