Upgrading an SE2020 from ios14 to ios18 or preferably to an earlier one ios

panag120 wrote:

I have an SE2020 2nd generation which was updated up to ios version 14.5.1. The current suggested ios update at my screen is 18.7.2.

The question is if i decide to do the upgrade will i go through ios 15, ios 16, ios 17 until I'll be able to update at ios 18

or immediately brought up to ios18?

As i have red the update is at one step from current version to latest suggested version, but is this not risky? Besides I would prefer to do a step to step upgrade and probably to stop at a previous version than 18. Is this possible?

A step-by-step incremental version-at-a-time update is way more work, more risk, way way way more network data, not offered, and not possible. Or shorter, “no”.

With an iPhone SE 2nd gen, you’ll get offered iOS 18.7.2, and iOS 26.1.

For that big an iOS jump, it may be prudent not to do an over-the-air update, but rather via a computer. You do not need a Mac to do so. See:

Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iTunes - Apple Support

and, if you have a Windows computer with newer version of that OS, see this:

Install the Apple Devices app on Windows - Apple Support (QA)

We have two iPhone SS 2020s running iOS 26.1 with zero issues.

You can only update directly to 18. Apple isn't signing older versions for units capable of it.

(261935)

At this time, your only update option is iOS 18.7.2.

If you want to update to iOS 26, wait a week or so, then check to see if the iOS 26 update is available.

Settings > General > Software Update

The option to update to an intermediate version will only be present on the unit itself, not from a computer, and if Apple's still signing it for that model, which will only be for a limited time.

(261944)

Unfortunately you can't. If your iPhone is compatible with iOS 26, that will be the version that iTunes offers to update to.

As others have also mentioned, no previous versions of iOS are signed for the iPhone models that are compatible with iOS 26. So you are forced to either stay on the version you have now, or update to iOS 26.

The current suggested ios update at my screen is 18.7.2.

When you tap Settings > General > Software Update......what option appears?

If it is iOS 18.7.2, scroll down to the bottom to see if an update for iOS 26 might appear.

If only iOS 18.7.2 appears, then that is what will be installed (earlier versions of iOS are not available).

If there is an option to install iOS 26 and you select it, then iOS 26 will be installed. If you install iOS 26, you cannot go back to iOS 18.

Ok

My understanding was that you will only be offered 18.7.2 if you were already running 18.x, otherwise, you'll be offered 26.1.

I that incorrect?