To update your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update and tap Download and Install if an update is available. Back up first, plug into power and connect to Wi-Fi, and your data and settings stay as they are after the update.
Here's the catch. If your iPhone says it needs more space, it'll offer to remove apps temporarily, and that's safe to accept. Tap Continue and the system removes them for the install, then reinstalls those apps automatically once it's finished. Tap Cancel and you'll have to delete content yourself to make room.
How to update iPhone wirelessly
- Back up your iPhone using iCloud or your computer.
- Plug your iPhone into power and connect to the internet with Wi-Fi.
- Go to Settings, tap General, then tap Software Update. You'll see the version of iOS you're on and whether an update is available.
- If there's an update, tap Download and Install, then follow the onscreen instructions.
You can keep using your iPhone while the update downloads, and it'll tell you when it's ready to install. The download time depends on the update size and your internet speed. If you don't know your passcode, Apple treats that as a separate problem with its own fix. Before any big update, here's my guide to backing up your iPhone so nothing's at risk.
Automatic updates: which setting to choose
Apple calls keeping your software up to date one of the most important things you can do for your device's security, and says the best way to get every feature, security update and bug fix is to turn on automatic updates. If you skipped it when you set up your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates.
| Setting | What it does, as of October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Automatically Install | Downloads and installs updates overnight while your iPhone is charging and on Wi-Fi. You're notified before it installs. |
| Automatically Download | Downloads updates when your iPhone is on Wi-Fi, charging and locked, so you can install later. Only shows when Automatically Install is off. |
| System Files, Automatically Install | Installs system file updates that improve features without changing your iOS version |
| Both off | You check Software Update and install updates manually |
If you want feature fixes without moving to a new version of iOS, turn off Automatically Install under iOS Updates and turn on Automatically Install under System Files. Not every feature is available on every device or in every country or region.
Updating your iPhone with a computer
If the update doesn't appear on your iPhone, or it won't install wirelessly, a computer can do it.
- Connect your iPhone to your computer with a cable.
- On a Mac with macOS 10.15 or later, select your iPhone in the Finder sidebar, then click General at the top of the window.
- On a Mac with macOS 10.14 or earlier, or a Windows device, open iTunes, click the iPhone button near the top left, then click Summary.
- Click Update to install the available update.
Why your iPhone won't update
Apple's list of reasons is short, and each has its own fix. To update at all, you need a compatible device, an internet connection and enough storage, and it helps to stay plugged into power.
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Your model doesn't support the latest iOS | Identify your model and check it against Apple's compatible devices list |
| Not enough storage | Tap Enable next to Offload Unused Apps, or delete apps yourself |
| Download is slow | Stay on Wi-Fi and avoid downloading other content while you update |
| Can't reach the update server | Try the same network again, then another network, a Mac or iTunes |
| Update won't complete | Keep it on power; if it runs flat, charge it and turn it on to let the update finish |
Offloading is the clever one. Your iPhone can temporarily remove app data to make space without deleting your personal information. If your iCloud backup can't run before the update because iCloud is full, here's how to free up iCloud storage so your backup can run first.
The error messages and what they mean
If your iPhone can't reach Apple's update server, you'll see one of a handful of alerts: Unable to Check for Update, with a message that an error occurred or that you're not connected to the internet, or Unable to Download, saying you're not connected or that the update needs a Wi-Fi connection. Try the update again on the same network first. If you still see an alert, switch network or use a computer.
Some updates aren't available wirelessly at all, and a VPN or proxy connection might stop your iPhone contacting the update servers. If you use either, it's worth checking that first when updates keep failing.
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Delete the update and download it again
If the update keeps failing on several networks, remove it and start fresh.
- Find the update in your iPhone's list of apps.
- Tap the update, then tap Delete Update.
- Go back to Settings > General > Software Update and download the latest update again.
If you can't see the update in the list, or it fails again, update with a Mac or iTunes instead. And if your computer doesn't recognise your iPhone, or the screen shows the Apple logo for several minutes without a progress bar, Apple's next step is recovery mode. For a phone that's simply frozen mid-update, start with how to restart an iPhone.
My verdict on updating your iPhone
I'd turn on Automatically Install and let your iPhone update overnight while it charges, because security fixes matter and you don't have to remember. I'd still back up before a big new version. If an update won't install, I'd work through it in order: storage, Wi-Fi, a second network, then a computer. I'd skip manual-only updating unless you've got a reason to hold back a version, and if you do, turn on the System Files option so you still get feature fixes.
Frequently asked questions
Will updating my iPhone delete anything?
No. When you update to the latest version of iOS, your data and settings remain unchanged. Apple still recommends backing up before you update.
Can I use my iPhone while it updates?
You can use it while the update downloads, and it notifies you when the update is ready to install.
Why won't my iPhone update over Wi-Fi?
Common reasons are an unsupported model, too little storage, a slow download or no connection to the update server. A VPN or proxy can also block it.
What happens to apps removed for an update?
If you tap Continue to let the system remove apps for space, those apps are reinstalled automatically after installation is complete.
How do I make my iPhone update automatically?
Go to Settings, General, Software Update, Automatic Updates, and turn on Automatically Install. It installs overnight while charging and on Wi-Fi.
