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.

đź’ˇ Did you know?

⏺ If you can't accept iCloud Terms and Conditions... Learn more >

⏺ If you don't see your iCloud notes in the Notes app... Learn more >

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

How can I upgrade my phone iOS

What can I do to upgrade my IOS

Posted on Apr 17, 2023 2:32 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 17, 2023 2:41 PM

Go to Settings/General/About and note the iPhone Model Name, then check its version compatibility from this list:


  • iPhone 8 or newer, including SE 2nd and 3rd editions, you can update to 16.4.1
  • Any iPhone series 6S and 7, and original SE: You can update to 15.7.5
  • iPhone 5S or 6: You cannot update to iOS 13 or higher; you can update only to iOS 12.5.7
  • iPhone 5: You can update only to 10.3.4
  • iPhone 5C: You can update only to 10.3.3
  • iPhone 4S: You can update only to 9.3.6
  • iPhone 4: You can update only to 7.1.2


To update to the highest version your phone supports go to Settings/General/Software Update and follow instructions.


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.

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Apr 17, 2023 2:41 PM in response to Odiaangel

Go to Settings/General/About and note the iPhone Model Name, then check its version compatibility from this list:


  • iPhone 8 or newer, including SE 2nd and 3rd editions, you can update to 16.4.1
  • Any iPhone series 6S and 7, and original SE: You can update to 15.7.5
  • iPhone 5S or 6: You cannot update to iOS 13 or higher; you can update only to iOS 12.5.7
  • iPhone 5: You can update only to 10.3.4
  • iPhone 5C: You can update only to 10.3.3
  • iPhone 4S: You can update only to 9.3.6
  • iPhone 4: You can update only to 7.1.2


To update to the highest version your phone supports go to Settings/General/Software Update and follow instructions.


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.

How can I upgrade my phone iOS

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