Is Your iPhone Not Updating? Try These Quick Fixes

If you’re an avid iPhone user, your device has likely needed at least one update since its purchase date. For nearly the past decade, Apple’s been releasing, on average, anywhere from 10 to 15 updates in a given year. Although each differs, they’re all necessary to keep your iPhone running in prime condition, free from bugs, malware issues, and security flaws. Recent updates, like iOS 14, have even offered major design features and more customization. The last you need is a phone failing to start or finishing the update process. If you find yourself in this situation, however, don’t worry. Below, we’ll cover some easy troubleshooting tips to fix an iPhone that’s not updating its operating system.

How to Troubleshoot an iPhone That’s Failing to Update

There’s nothing quite as irritating as seeing an error message when you try to download the newest iOS software update for your iPhone. If you’re left scratching your head and can’t seem to find the culprit, try these five easy troubleshooting tips.

1. Make Sure Your iPhone is Charged

   First and foremost, take a look at your battery and ensure you have enough of a charge. iPhones can’t process a new update unless they’re operating on 50 percent of battery power or more. Although this may seem redundant, there’s sound logic to back it up. Apple developers designed this feature to prevent your smartphone from shutting down midway through the download process.

2. Check if Your iPhone Supports Newer Updates

   If you’re using an iPhone 6s or older, chances are, you won’t be able to download new iOS updates. Unfortunately, Apple’s older smartphone models aren’t equipped to run the latest software, so you may need to upgrade your iPhone to access the latest version of iOS. If you’re unsure if your phone’s compatible, head over to Apple’s website and read over their list of supported iPhone models.

3. See if Apple’s Servers are Working Properly

   More often than not, iPhone owners rush to upgrade their phones when they hear a new iOS update is available. Unfortunately, Apple’s server can only handle so many updates at once and may run slower than usual if overloaded with too many installations. If you suspect this could be the problem, try checking Apple’s website and see if their server is temporarily down. If this is the case, wait a day or two before you try again.

4. Ensure You Have Enough Free Storage Space

   Plenty of storage is needed to run an iOS update (750 to 800 MB to be exact). Otherwise, a message may pop up, alerting you of this issue. To check how much free space is remaining, open Settings and click on General. Then, scroll down until you see ‘iPhone Storage. Once you click there, you’ll be able to see how much storage space is available. If you’re below the required amount, try deleting unnecessary apps or media files to free up enough space.

5. Check Your Wi-Fi Connection

   Just like with a Mac, iPad, or any other Apple device, a strong internet connection is needed to download a new update. If your Wi-Fi network connection seems spotty or lower than expected, we suggest first trying to reset your wireless connection. To do this, navigate to your iPhone’s Settings from the Home Screen and click on ‘Wi-Fi.’ From there, toggle the switch from on to off, and wait a few moments before turning it back on.

Hopefully, these suggestions do the trick, and you’re ready to enjoy all the new features from your iPhone update. However, if you’re still having issues, you may want to consider reaching out to a professional technician. Whether you own an iPhone SE, an iPhone 7, or anything in-between, the experts at CPR Cell Phone Repair can assist. Besides fixing automatic updates and downloading errors, we treat many other Apple iPhone issues, including dead batteries, water damage, and more. To get started, find your nearest CPR location and swing by today!