Apple Intelligence is now available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac!

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

My software update always failed

Why my software update always fail even though I'm not full storage

Posted on Aug 23, 2022 7:08 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 23, 2022 7:27 AM

Try and update via a pc or Mac instead

Update your iPhone using a Mac with macOS Catalina or higher

On a Mac with macOS Catalina or higher, you will use the finder in order to upgrade your iPhone. Make sure to Back up your device before starting the upgrade process.

On a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, you will follow the following steps:

  1. Open a finder window
  2. Connect your device to your Mac via a lighting to usb A or a lightning to usb c cable
  3. Select your device in the left sidebar of the finder window
  4. click general, then click check for update
  5. Click download and update.
  6. If asked, enter your iPhone passcode


Update your iPhone via a Mac running macOS Mojave or earlier, or on a Windows PC

On macOS Mojave or earlier, or on a windows machine, we won't use the Finder to upgrade your iOS

Instead, we will use iTunes. Make sure to Back up your device before doing any update or upgrade to your phone.

  1. Open iTunes
  2. connect your device to the computer with an lightning to usb a or a lightning to usb c cable
  3. Click device button in the iTunes toolbar
  4. In the summary tab, click check for update
  5. Click download and update, follow The on screen instructions
  6. If asked, enter your iPhone passcode.


2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 23, 2022 7:27 AM in response to christine_erese

Try and update via a pc or Mac instead

Update your iPhone using a Mac with macOS Catalina or higher

On a Mac with macOS Catalina or higher, you will use the finder in order to upgrade your iPhone. Make sure to Back up your device before starting the upgrade process.

On a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, you will follow the following steps:

  1. Open a finder window
  2. Connect your device to your Mac via a lighting to usb A or a lightning to usb c cable
  3. Select your device in the left sidebar of the finder window
  4. click general, then click check for update
  5. Click download and update.
  6. If asked, enter your iPhone passcode


Update your iPhone via a Mac running macOS Mojave or earlier, or on a Windows PC

On macOS Mojave or earlier, or on a windows machine, we won't use the Finder to upgrade your iOS

Instead, we will use iTunes. Make sure to Back up your device before doing any update or upgrade to your phone.

  1. Open iTunes
  2. connect your device to the computer with an lightning to usb a or a lightning to usb c cable
  3. Click device button in the iTunes toolbar
  4. In the summary tab, click check for update
  5. Click download and update, follow The on screen instructions
  6. If asked, enter your iPhone passcode.


Aug 23, 2022 7:38 AM in response to christine_erese

To update over the air from the phone all of these requirements must be met:

  • You need at least 6 GB of free storage
  • You must be connected to a Wi-Fi network (and not a personal hotspot) unless it is an iPhone 12 or 13 series or an SE 3rd edition with an active 5G network connection
  • The phone must be charged to at least 50%, and preferably plugged in so it stays above 50% during the update
  • The phone must not be in Low Power Mode
  • The phone must not be connected through VPN, and it may be necessary to delete any VPN apps and VPN profiles
  • The phone cannot be in Airplane mode
  • You cannot still have a beta version installed on the phone
  • You cannot have a previous version that was downloaded, but not installed - go to Settings/General/iPhone Storage to look; if you find an iOS installer, delete it


If you can't meet all of them you can still update using your computer.

My software update always failed

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