Why can’t I update my iPhone 7 Plus iOS from 15 to 16?

Just as an iPhone 6 does not have the processing power to run iOS 15......which you are using now....the iPhone 7 does not have the processing power to run iOS 16.

iOS 15 is the end of the update road for the iPhone 7. Even if the iPhone 7 could run iOS 16......(it can't).....things would run unbelievably slow and the battery would run extremely hot.

To run iOS 16, you need the processing power of an iPhone 8, but if you will be looking for a new phone, it would make sense to go for a model that will run the current iOS 17 and soon to be introduced iOS 18.

That would be an iPhone XR or higher model. I would recommend an iPhone 12 or higher, since the iPhone 12 is capable of handling higher 5G cellular speeds.

An iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, or iPhone SE 1 isn't capable of 16 or above; they require an A11 or better CPU.

(253897)

Minnieola-1927 Said:

"Why can’t I update my iPhone 7 Plus iOS from 15 to 16?: Why can’t I update my iPhone 7 Plus iOS from 15 to 16"

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Upgrading an iPhone 7 Plus from iOS15 to iOS16:

You Can't. What you are looking to do is not an option. This is because your iPhone model does not have the RAM and other hardware required to get to iOS16. And even if you could, only the latest iOS version would install.

So, For reference...

Updating an iPhone:

What to Update: Installed apps and the iOS.

How to do so...

A. Verify Compatibility:

Identify your iPhone model. The first thing that comes to mind in incompatibility being the culprit. So, confirm the model of your iPhone. If iPhone model is incompatible with iOS15 then it is because you iPhone does not meet the hardware requirements for this iOS version(s).

B. If Compatible...

1. Back Up First:

IMPORTANT: If you have an option to update, however, then be certain you backup your iPhone first. That way, you will have something to restore your iPhone from should anything go wrong with the update

then...

2. Proceed with the Update:

Go Here:  Update your iPhone Using a Computer - User Tip

iOS 15 is the end of the line for the iPhone 7 Plus.

You can't update the iPhone 7 Plus to iOS 16 because it isn't compatible with iOS 16 and higher.