If your iPhone or iPad won't update

To update your iPhone or iPad, you need a compatible device, an internet connection, and enough storage. It also helps to keep your device connected to a power source.

If you can’t install iOS 16 or iPadOS 16.1 on your iPhone or iPad

You might be unable to update your iPhone or iPad wirelessly — or over the air — for one of these reasons:

If your device doesn't support new software

If you don't see the option to update to new software like iOS 16 or iPadOS 16 when it becomes available, your device might not support the latest release.

Identify your iPhone or iPad model.
Check whether your iPhone or iPad model is on the list of compatible devices for the latest version of iOS or iPadOS.
Update to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS that is available to you.

If you have a compatible device but your iPhone or iPad won't update, try the steps below.

If there's not enough space to update

If there isn't enough space to download and install an update, the software on your device will try to make space. It will remove only app data that it can download again and doesn't remove or relocate any of your data. If your device still doesn't have enough space, you can use your computer to update your device.

If you can't connect your device to your computer, you can make room for the update by removing content and apps on your device that you don't use. Go to Settings > General > [Device name] Storage.

Learn more about the space your apps and content use.

If the download takes a long time

You need an internet connection to update your device. The time it takes to download the update varies according to the size of the update and your internet speed. You can use your device normally while downloading the update, and your device will notify you when you can install it. To improve the speed of the download, avoid downloading other content and use a Wi-Fi network.

If you can't reach the update server or can't verify the update

If you try to update your device, you might see one of these messages:

An iPhone showing the "Unable to Check for Update" alert.

"Unable to Check for Update. An error occurred while checking for a software update."

An iPhone showing the "Unable to Install Update" alert.

"Unable to Install Update. [Software] update requires a network connection."

Try updating your device again using the same network. If you still see one of these messages, try updating your device using another network or update your device with your computer:

If the issue happens again after trying to update with multiple networks, remove the update.

An iPhone showing the Apple logo and status bar.

If the update doesn't complete

If you're installing the update, the progress bar might appear to move slowly. The time an update takes depends on the size of the update and the number of files on your device.

When you're updating over the air, keep your device connected to a power source. If your device runs out of power, connect it to a power source and turn on the device to let the update or restore complete.

Learn what to do if your iPhone or iPad appears frozen or won't start.

Remove and download the update again

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

Go to Settings > General > [Device name] Storage.
Find the update in the list of apps.
Tap the update, then tap Delete Update.
Go to Settings > General > Software Update and download the latest 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 your computer:

Learn how to use recovery mode if your computer doesn't recognize your device or your screen is stuck on the Apple logo for several minutes without a progress bar.

Published Date: October 25, 2022

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