Having issues updating your iOS device to the latest software version? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Software updates can sometimes fail due to various reasons like poor internet connectivity, low storage space, or bugs in the update itself. The good news is there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to successfully install the latest iOS update on your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch.
Quick Fixes to Try
If your iOS update failed, here are some quick things to try first:
- Restart your device – A simple restart can help clear any temporary glitches causing the update to fail. Press and hold the Power button until you see the “Slide to Power Off” prompt. After your device fully powers down, turn it back on.
- Check your internet connection – Make sure you’re connected to a stable, high-speed WiFi or cellular data connection. Slow/unreliable connections often cause update failures.
- Free up storage space – Your device needs enough free space to download and install the update. Delete unused apps, messages, photos and videos to free up space.
- Update using iTunes – Connect your device to a computer and update to the latest iOS version through iTunes. This provides a more stable updating environment.
If you’re still having issues, don’t worry, there are more in-depth troubleshooting steps you can take to fix your failed iOS update.
1. Update Over iTunes
As mentioned above, updating over a wired connection via iTunes on a computer can often resolve update failures. Here’s how to update iOS using iTunes:
- Connect your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch to your computer using the included USB cable.
- Open iTunes on your computer. iTunes will detect your connected iOS device.
- Click on your device icon in iTunes. Go to the Summary tab and click “Check for Update.” iTunes will now download the latest iOS software.
- Once the download is complete, click “Download and Update” to install the latest iOS version on your device.
- Let iTunes complete the update process. Your device may restart a few times. When done, you’ll be on the latest iOS version.
Updating over iTunes provides a very stable environment for the update process. If you run into failed updates directly on your iOS device, switching to iTunes almost always resolves update issues.
2. Free Up Storage Space
iOS updates require enough free storage space on your device to download and install. If you’re low on storage space, the update process may fail with an error like “Not Enough Storage” or “Storage Full.” Here’s how to check your storage and free up space:
- Check storage usage: Go to Settings > General > Storage & iCloud Usage to see your available space versus used space.
- Delete unused apps: Remove apps you no longer use. Delete from both your Home screen and the App Library if you’re on iOS 14 or newer.
- Offload unused apps: Instead of deleting apps, you can temporarily offload them from Settings > General > iPhone Storage. This removes the app while keeping documents/data.
- Manage photos: Use the Photos app to mass delete old photos and videos you no longer need. Optimize your iCloud storage to store full resolution copies only for recent images.
- Remove music: Delete music you no longer listen to from the Music app.
- Clear message attachments: Open conversations with large attachments like photos/videos and delete them.
- Browse Safari history/data: Go to Settings > Safari and clear browsing history, website data and cookies.
After freeing up several GBs of space, you should have enough storage available for the iOS update. Retry updating and it should now proceed successfully.
3. Update Over Cellular Data
If updating over WiFi is failing, try updating over a cellular data connection instead. This can circumvent any WiFi-related connectivity issues. Here’s how to update iOS using cellular data:
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update and tap “Download and Install” to start the update.
- When prompted how to download the update, tap “Cellular” instead of “WiFi.”
- Monitor the progress of the download. If successful, let the installation process complete.
- Stay connected to the cellular network throughout – if you lose connectivity, the update will fail.
- Disable WiFi while updating over cellular to prevent any interference between connections.
Using cellular data avoids any problems with your home/office WiFi and can often lead to a successful update. Just be aware of your carrier’s data limits when downloading over cell signal.
4. Enable Airplane Mode
Enabling Airplane mode on your iPhone or iPad can help isolate connectivity issues during an iOS update. Follow these steps:
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update and tap “Download and Install.”
- Once the download starts, swipe down from the top right corner to open Control Center.
- Tap the Airplane icon to enable Airplane mode. This will turn off cellular and WiFi connections.
- Wait for the update to finish downloading. It will use the temporary WiFi/cellular connection established right before going into Airplane mode.
- Once downloaded, tap Install on the prompt. Allow your device to restart and install the update.
- After your device finishes rebooting, disable Airplane mode to restore connections.
Airplane mode isolates your device from any signal issues that may disrupt the iOS update. Try this if you suspect problems with your WiFi or cellular networks are causing failed updates.
5. Update Through Recovery Mode
If normal system updates aren’t working, you can force an update through Recovery mode. Here are the steps:
- Connect your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch to your computer using a USB cable.
- Force restart your iOS device – quickly press Volume Up, release, press Volume Down, release, then press and hold the Side button until you see the recovery mode screen.
- When you see the Connect to iTunes screen, open iTunes on your computer.
- iTunes will detect your device in Recovery mode and prompt you to Restore or Update.
- Click Update to install the latest iOS software version.
Recovery mode overrides any issues stopping normal updates. It will force a fail-proof update, though you may lose unsaved data in the process. Use recovery mode updating as a last resort when nothing else works.
6. Fix Software Update Errors
Besides connectivity and storage issues, actual errors during the iOS update process can also cause things to fail. Here are some common update errors and potential fixes:
| Error Message | Fixes to Try |
| iPhone Could Not Be Updated – An unknown error occurred (9) |
|
| iPhone Could Not Be Updated – An unknown error occurred (4013) |
|
| iPhone Could Not Be Updated – An unknown error occurred (4000) |
|
| iPhone Could Not Be Updated – Unable to Verify Update |
|
Pay attention to any on-screen error messages and try the recommended fixes. Specific update errors require tailored solutions. Also search online forums and Apple Support if you encounter unresolved errors.
7. Reset All Settings
Resetting all settings on your iPhone or iPad can help clear out any problematic settings/preferences that may be blocking successful iOS updates:
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap “Reset” and then “Reset All Settings.”
- Enter your passcode if prompted. This will reset settings while keeping all your data.
- Once your device reboots, try downloading and installing the iOS update again.
Resetting settings returns toggles, app preferences, home screen layout, etc. back to factory defaults. It will not affect the iOS version. Try this if you feel misconfigured settings may be responsible for failed updates.
8. Erase All Content and Settings
The nuclear option is erasing your device entirely and restoring from a clean software slate. Here are the steps:
- Back up your device – Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap Back Up Now to backup your data.
- Erase device – Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.Enter your passcode and confirm the erase.
- Set up as new device – Follow the on-screen steps to set up your device from scratch. Skip restoring your backup.
- Install iOS update – Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install the latest iOS version.
- Restore backup – Once setup, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap Restore to bring your data back.
Erasing the device ensures there are no leftover files/settings that could be blocking a clean install of the iOS update. Use this last resort if no other fixes are working and you desperately need the latest update.
9. Contact Apple Support
If you still encounter issues installing an iOS update after trying the above fixes, it’s time to contact Apple Support for personalized troubleshooting help:
- Apple Support app – The dedicated support app provides live chat, phone/mail contacts and official help articles.
- Getsupport.apple.com – Request support by phone/email. You can schedule a callback from Apple Support.
- Apple Store Genius Bar – Make a Genius Bar appointment at an Apple Store for in-person troubleshooting.
Apple Support can investigate your specific update issues and walk you through advanced troubleshooting steps. They have internal tools to diagnose your device and can repush update files from their servers if necessary.
Conclusion
With the right troubleshooting approach, you can successfully fix iOS update failed errors and install the latest software version. Try the above solutions like updating over iTunes, freeing storage space, resetting your device or working with Apple Support. Patience and persistence is key – don’t give up if the update fails on your first few attempts. Using the right fix for your specific issue will eventually allow your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to run the newest iOS release.