Why can't I update my iPhone?

Your device is probably not connected to the internet. There are a few steps you can take to verify the connectivity of your device.

Firstly, you can open a web browser on your device. When you open a web browser, the initial page that loads is typically based on your browsing history or cookies. To further confirm the connection, you can tap on any link on that website. If the link opens and displays the corresponding content, it confirms that your device is indeed connected to the internet.

Another method to check internet connectivity is by opening a specific application that requires an internet connection. WhatsApp is an example of such an application. When you launch WhatsApp, it immediately attempts to establish a connection with its servers to synchronize your chats and display any new messages. If you can see your chat conversations and receive real-time updates, it indicates that your device is connected to the internet.

Connecting to Wi-Fi is the initial step, followed by establishing an internet connection.

However, it's important to note that connecting to Wi-Fi does not automatically guarantee an internet connection. In the event that you are unable to connect to Wi-Fi, the issue may stem from settings on your iPhone or the router/modem.

On the other hand, if you are unable to establish an internet connection despite being connected to Wi-Fi, the problem is likely related to the settings on your router/modem. In such cases, it is advisable to promptly contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) for assistance.

Check your WiFi Router / Modem for --> Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points ...

Connecting to Wifi is the first part and then getting connected to the Internet is the second

1. If you connect to Wifi, doesn't necessarily mean you are connected to the internet. If you are not connected to wifi could be a problem with iPhone settings or Router/Modem Settings
2. If you are not connected to the internet is the sole issue of Router / Modem Settings. Contact your ISP immediately

For your Internet connection.

• Over Cellular: contact your Carrier (Cellular Service Provider). The agency who issued the SIM to you
• Over WiFI: Contact your ISP (Internet Service Provider), the agency who provided the Internet Service on your Modem/Router to you

However --> Connect iPhone to the Internet - Apple Support

There are only 2 ways to update an iOS/iPadOS. Know how to...

• Update Over-the-Air (OTA) —> Update your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support (IN)
• Update using iTunes/Finder —> Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support (IN)

Before any iOS / iPadOS update, please do the following

• You need to Identify your iPhone model - Apple Support
• It is also recommended that you either take a backup on iTunes or iCloud --> How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
• If you have a beta profile installed, remove the public beta by deleting the beta profile

Go to Settings > General, and tap Profiles & Device Management. Tap the iOS Beta Software Profile. Tap Remove Profile, then restart your device --> How to uninstall iOS beta software - Apple Support

VPN or proxy connections might prevent your device from contacting the update servers.

• Get help with over-the-air iOS updates - Apple Support
• Remove and download the iOS update again

If you still can't install the latest version of iOS, try downloading the update again:

1. Go to Settings > General > [Device name] Storage.
2. Find the iOS update in the list of apps.
3. Tap the iOS update, then tap Delete Update.
4. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and download the latest iOS update.

If you don’t see the update in the list of apps or if the issue happens again, you need to update your device with iTunes.

Try updating iOS after each step.

• Try to Forget the WiFi network and add it again
• Try another WiFi network 
• Toggle sets automatically off and then on
• Reset your network settings
• Force restart your device
• Remove any beta profiles, if applicable

• If everything fails: - Use iTunes or Finder (for macOS Catalina+) to update your device instead of over-the-air
• Get help with iOS updates and restore errors - Apple Support
• If you see an error when you update or restore your iPhone, iPad

Servant of Cats wrote:

You say that that the pop-up message mentions the iOS 16 beta. Are you enrolled in the beta testing program? I wonder if there are extra steps you need to take to tell the phone that you don't want to use a beta version of iOS any more.

Apple Beta — Unenroll Your Devices

This is the correct answer. Until the Author unenrolls from Beta, they can't install a public iOS release.

You say that that the pop-up message mentions the iOS 16 beta. Are you enrolled in the beta testing program? I wonder if there are extra steps you need to take to tell the phone that you don't want to use a beta version of iOS any more.

Apple Beta — Unenroll Your Devices

You can try to go to settings>> General >> VPN and device management>> If you see “DNS” or anything other than VPN, you can try to delete them. They are most likely from some website that you visited.

What happens when you try?

Can you post a screenshot of the whole screen, it could reveal why you aren't able to update.

Make sure you:

• Are using a WiFi connection (not a hotspot).

• You have an active cell signal (You need both WiFi and cellular service to perform the upgrade).

• Are not using a VPN connection.

• Have your battery charged at least 50%. Better yet, keep it plugged in during the update.

• Do not have power save mode turned on.

• Do not have a beta version installed.

• You have at least 10 gigs of storage available.

Click on this link on what to do if you can't update your phone -

If your iPhone or iPad won't update – Apple Support (UK)

ajjaaj wrote:

i have enough storage but it doesnt give me the option to download fix this now

You have not told us which iPhone you have.

If your iPhone has reached the end of the line – if you are already on the highest (current) release of the highest major version that it can support, it will not offer you updates. In that case, nothing is broken, and there is no fix that will let you run newer versions of iOS that are incompatible with your phone, on that phone.

In particular,

• If you have an iPhone 5s, 6, or 6 Plus, you cannot update past iOS 12.
• If you have an iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, SE (1st generation), 7, or 7 Plus, you cannot update past iOS 15.
• If you have an iPhone 8, 8 Plus, or X, you cannot update past iOS 16.
• You will need an iPhone XS, XS Max, XR, or later to update to iOS 17 (if still available) or iOS 18. An iPhone 16-series phone will not run anything lower than iOS 18.

charlie_wells_08 wrote:

I have an old iPhone X where it is stuck on iOS 16.0 and it will not update past iOS 16.0

You can update an iPhone X to the latest release of iOS 16 – currently iOS 16.7.10. You cannot update an iPhone X to iOS 17 or later.

I have tried every trick in the book. I have tried updating the phone though Settings> General>Software Update and it would just come up with an error that says "Unable to Check for Update", so i tried through my MacBook but i was having other issues where it would try to update and get to half way on the bar, then it would get stuck into recovery mode and come up on the MacBook with "An error has occurred (9)" or (4005). I get different error codes come up every time. Sometimes i get error code (9),4005),(75) and most recently (2015). I also had problems where the Mobile Data would not work, Apple Pay and both speakers wouldn't work. Im pretty sure it was a hardware issue but I'm not sure. if someone could help me that would be great.

Given those error codes, you may indeed have a hardware issue – not just some other issue or glitch that is much easier to fix.

Updating iOS: common issues and solutions - Apple Community

If you see error 9, 4005, 4013, or 4014 when you restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

What is error code 2015 - Apple Community

"Boot loop and error 2015 is a hardware failure issue. iPhones do a health checkup during the booting process, and if there is a damaged part somewhere, you will get a boot loop and restore errors …"

You might be looking at this, if Apple even repairs such old phones at all.

Apple Repair and Repair Status Check - Official Apple Support

I was having the same issue as you but I backed up my phone then did a reset of my network settings.

Chelseapreis wrote:

My phone will not update no matter what I have the 15.8 and I’m connected to wifi. If someone could help me that wound be really helpful.

Is your iPhone compatible with iOS 16 or 17? If it is compatible with iOS 15, but not with them, then you'll only be able to update it as far as the latest release of iOS 15 (currently iOS 15.8.1).

iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 are compatible with these devices - Apple Support

iPhone models compatible with iOS 17 - Apple Support

Update your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

Updating iOS: common issues and solutions - Apple Community

I have the se and it is not updating to the iOS 18

iOS 18 will not be officially released for another 3-4 months. Think September / October.

When the update is available, it will appear on your phone.

Amponsah566 wrote:

My phone cannot be updated to IOS18 why?

Apple has not released iOS 18 yet. It will not be out for several months.

According to

iOS 18 Preview - Apple

you will need an iPhone SE (2nd generation or later), XR, XS, XS Max, or 11-series or later phone to upgrade to it.

Your iPhone 13 does not show iOS 18 as an available update because iOS 18 will not even be released for another 6-8 weeks.

When iOS 18 is released, it will appear as an available update on your phone.

my iphone 13 pro doesn’t have ios 18 available to download so i’m not sure what to do because i want to update my phone

What to do is wait 6-8 weeks until iOS 18 is released by Apple. When iOS 18 is released, it will appear as an available update on your phone.

Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

• If you have an iPhone 5S or 6/6plus, the highest you can update to is 12.5.7

• If you have an iPhone 6S through 7, or SE 1st generation, you can update to 15.8.2

• If you have an iPhone 8 or X, you can update to 16.7.9

• If you have an iPhone SE (2nd generation or later), or XR through 15, you can update to 17.6

Go to Settings > General > Software Update.

This link will show you how to update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch using WiFi -

Update your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

This link will show you how to update using your computer -

Update iOS on iPhone - Apple Support

I have an old iPhone X where it is stuck on iOS 16.0 and it will not update past iOS 16.0. I have tried every trick in the book. I have tried updating the phone though Settings> General>Software Update and it would just come up with an error that says "Unable to Check for Update", so i tried through my MacBook but i was having other issues where it would try to update and get to half way on the bar, then it would get stuck into recovery mode and come up on the MacBook with "An error has occurred (9)" or (4005). I get different error codes come up every time. Sometimes i get error code (9),4005),(75) and most recently (2015). I also had problems where the Mobile Data would not work, Apple Pay and both speakers wouldn't work. Im pretty sure it was a hardware issue but I'm not sure. if someone could help me that would be great.