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.

iPhone 8 cannot download 15.7.1

I have an iPhone 8. Whenever I try to install 15.7.1 I get a message that the Software update failed. Error downloading. I have tried for two days.

iPhone 8, iOS 15

Posted on Oct 30, 2022 1:02 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 31, 2022 9:19 AM

If you have ONLY 6 GB that may not be enough. To update over the air from the phone all of these requirements must be met:

  • YYou need at least 10 GB of free storage for iOS 16 or 6 GB for iOS 15 or lower; more is better
  • You must be connected to a Wi-Fi network (and not a personal hotspot) unless it is an iPhone that supports cellular 5G (12, 13, 14 or SE 3rd edition) and has a 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.

10 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 31, 2022 9:19 AM in response to Daveman in RI

If you have ONLY 6 GB that may not be enough. To update over the air from the phone all of these requirements must be met:

  • YYou need at least 10 GB of free storage for iOS 16 or 6 GB for iOS 15 or lower; more is better
  • You must be connected to a Wi-Fi network (and not a personal hotspot) unless it is an iPhone that supports cellular 5G (12, 13, 14 or SE 3rd edition) and has a 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.

Nov 1, 2022 7:48 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

The storage shows that I'm now using 30 GB out of 64 GB. Before I deleted the podcasts and some apps I was using around 57 GB. I'm embarrassed to say there were a lot of podcasts that I hadn't listened to. It's probably time to unsubscribe from some of them. I've also discovered the "remove older downloads" feature that should be useful in the future.

iPhone 8 cannot download 15.7.1

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