the option to download and install is grayed out and I need to update my phone to v16

purchased a pre-owned device and just need to update the version


iPhone 8, iOS 12

Posted on Jul 29, 2023 2:30 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 29, 2023 2:32 PM

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 of a previous 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→Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iTunes - Apple Support


1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 29, 2023 2:32 PM in response to jamel71

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 of a previous 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→Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iTunes - Apple Support


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the option to download and install is grayed out and I need to update my phone to v16

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