You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

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

I want to update my iPhone iOS

I want to update my iOS but it won’t


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone SE, 14

Posted on Apr 14, 2023 5:03 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 14, 2023 5:07 PM

Hello,


There are different ways to ensure the highest iOS that your device will support is installed on your device.


This support article has instructions about updating an iPhone or iPad wirelessly --> Update your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support


You can also use Mac and PC computers to update system software:

Update iOS on iPhone - Apple Support

or:

Update iPadOS - Apple Support


When updating, your device will update to the highest version currently available that it will support, or it will just say it is up to date (and can't go any higher) and won't install anything. Apple indicates ( Unable to update my iPhone 6 Plus from 12… - Apple Community ) I need to point out the obvious and state that if you want to run a higher system version than your current device will run, that you need to buy a newer device.


- An iPhone 6S through 7, or SE(gen. 1), can currently only update to iOS 15.7.5

- An iPhone 8 or higher, can currently only update to the latest iOS, 16.4


If your Apple mobile device won't update, read this support article --> If your iPhone or iPad won't update - Apple Support


Another, less common reason for not being able to update is if you were using a beta version of software. Refer to How to uninstall iOS or iPadOS beta software - Apple Support



2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Apr 14, 2023 5:07 PM in response to Racekidcp2023

Hello,


There are different ways to ensure the highest iOS that your device will support is installed on your device.


This support article has instructions about updating an iPhone or iPad wirelessly --> Update your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support


You can also use Mac and PC computers to update system software:

Update iOS on iPhone - Apple Support

or:

Update iPadOS - Apple Support


When updating, your device will update to the highest version currently available that it will support, or it will just say it is up to date (and can't go any higher) and won't install anything. Apple indicates ( Unable to update my iPhone 6 Plus from 12… - Apple Community ) I need to point out the obvious and state that if you want to run a higher system version than your current device will run, that you need to buy a newer device.


- An iPhone 6S through 7, or SE(gen. 1), can currently only update to iOS 15.7.5

- An iPhone 8 or higher, can currently only update to the latest iOS, 16.4


If your Apple mobile device won't update, read this support article --> If your iPhone or iPad won't update - Apple Support


Another, less common reason for not being able to update is if you were using a beta version of software. Refer to How to uninstall iOS or iPadOS beta software - Apple Support



Apr 14, 2023 5:08 PM in response to Racekidcp2023

You will have to provide more details than “it won’t”. You can update an original SE to iOS 15, and a 2nd or 3rd generation to iOS 16. So what happens when you go to Settings/General/Software Update and follow the instructions to update.


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

  • You 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 and must have a cellular data connection
  • 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.

I want to update my iPhone iOS

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