iOS 15.7 Update Failed

This sub-thread was about the user feeling they were being forced to upgrade their hardware to resolve the inability to update IOS. I was not advising running an old version of IOS and agree the general security cautions related to NOT upgrading IOS. Thanks!

Thanks for the explanation!

And just to be clear, the available storage requirement is for over-the-air updates. Updating using a computer requires much less storage on the phone. The reason is that an OTA update downloads an installer app, not just the update. The installer must run to FIRST install the new version, then switch to it, then delete the old version, and finally delete the installer itself. It works in this order so if the new version fails to install the old version is still present as a fallback. So the update needs over 3 times the size of a finished iOS version to run entirely on the phone: The size of the old version + the size of the new version + the installer itself + the install image in the installer. So 3 iOS images plus the installer.

Installing using a computer the installer remains on the computer, so the storage needed on the phone is just enough to hold the new version and the old version, and after the installation the old version is removed. It doesn’t need the installer or the installation image.

Excellent information, thanks! Now that I've been able to install the update, hopefully I will be able to install the software that allows me to connect the iPhone to my Mac on Catalina. Your points make me think I might want to perform updates while connected to Mac in future...

bee61 wrote:

Your points make me think I might want to perform updates while connected to Mac in future...

I think that’s especially important for “point” updates, like 16.0 to 16.1. The reason: Most point updates just install patches to the existing iOS if done over the air, but if done using Finder on your Mac the entire new version is downloaded and installed. For major updates its less important (if you have the storage), because they are always full replacements.

a) I said it was a software install, not an app.

b) What I'm saying is that, when you connect the phone, you get the notice to install the software and you click to install it, but then it fails with a message (screenshots are in those threads) that says the download failed (nothing to do with network). Other users have indicated that updating to 15.7 included a patch to solve the problem. So, what I'm saying is I will try this now that I have the update and then see where it goes.

No need to respond. I don't need any instruction on this, but thanks.

Tried all this - still doesn't work. It appears to be that the update doesn't download in the time allowed.

I am using a fast WiFi network. This is on an iPhone 8 - 11GB free on a 64GB phone. I have tried removing the installer, but still same software error. Don't have any i mac's etc

Well, why doesn't Apple tell us this? Why do we have to look and look and look on the Internets - until we finally come upon the correct forum - and then read through replies to find someone who supposedly knows what he or she is talking about - to finally understand why the 19 attempts at updating to 15.7 I've made have all FAILED??

Thanks, Apple. I guess with 2 trillion in profits, it's hard to get this kind of information out to your dedicated purchasers.

With this new, hard to find information, I was forced to clear out over 10GB of data from my iPhone 12 - wouldn't work with SIX GIGABYTES of free storage space on it! So, after the 20th update failure, had to offload tons more music to get over TEN GIGABYTES of free space on my phone. THEN it worked.

Again, thanks, Apple.

Be really great if they had some sort of storage cloud, moved whatever crap they needed to to make room for their update and moved it back since I should not have to keep 10GB free for random security updates. What the heck. It kills old phones. I don’t have time to mess with their nonsense. That’s why I paid for Apple. I could have had three Sunday afternoon naps by now and instead am highly irritated.

Mine is doing the same, but on my

ipad. I’ve made sure to have storage space and have restarted it. Still is giving update failed message. I read something about Wi-Fi speeds may impact it. Please give your best instructions on how to fix and get this update installed. Thank you

i can’t update to either update

I have tried all of these

i have 56gb free

i am connected to fast wifi

phone is fully charged and plugged into charger

can’t see previous version downloaded

have switched off again

why why is it so difficult to fathom out?

x 5 each day for 4 days

Are you getting this error message on your PC, Mac or iPhone?

Update your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

Learn how to update your device manually if you're using a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, or if you're using a Mac with macOS Mojave or earlier or a Windows PC.

Hello im having the same problem where did you update the your ios in wifi or pc? I got the same error everytime i update the ios. Thanks

I am having the same problem

the error message is simply that there was an error message

Thank you so much. Finally managed to download ios 15.7