iTunes is an application originally created by Apple to manage media files, load music onto iPods, and sync content with iPhones. Over time, regular system updates became a crucial part of keeping iPhones secure and stable. However, sometimes the over-the-air updates do not install properly, requiring users to force an iTunes update on their iPhone.
There are a few situations when you may want to force an iPhone software update through iTunes. The update may have failed to install automatically over WiFi or cellular data. You may need to update an iPhone that has been restored from a backup file. For major iOS updates, doing a manual update through iTunes can help avoid potential issues. Before force updating, it is highly recommended to backup your iPhone to iCloud or iTunes to avoid losing any important data.
Check for Available Updates
The first step is to open iTunes and connect your iPhone to your computer using the USB cable that came with your device. iTunes will automatically check for any available updates for your iPhone and notify you if there is a new iOS version ready to be installed.
Go to iTunes and click on the iPhone icon to access your device’s summary screen. Look at the Version section to see if your device is already updated to the latest iOS version. If an update is available, you’ll see a red “Update” button – click it to start the update process.
However, if iTunes doesn’t show you a notification for an available update, it means your iPhone is already running the latest iOS version that iTunes can see. In this case, you may need to force iTunes to look for the update manually as covered in the next section.
Back Up iPhone Before Updating
It is highly recommended to back up your iPhone before installing any major iOS updates like iOS 16. Backups ensure you have a copy of your data and can restore it in case anything goes wrong during the update process.
You can back up your iPhone using either iTunes on a computer or iCloud. An iTunes backup will copy all of your device’s data locally to your computer while an iCloud backup stores it in the cloud.
For maximum protection, you can enable encrypted backups which password protect your sensitive information like passwords, health data, and payment info. Encrypted backups are available both on iTunes and iCloud but may take longer than unencrypted backups.
According to Apple Support discussions, while backups are not mandatory before updates, they are highly recommended to safeguard your data [1]. Major iOS updates like iOS 16 can sometimes run into issues, so having a recent backup is the best way to avoid permanent data loss.
Force an Update in iTunes
If your iPhone does not automatically prompt you to install the latest iOS update, you can force an update through iTunes by following these steps:
- Disconnect your iPhone from your computer, then reconnect it. This resets the connection which can sometimes trigger the software update prompt.
- Open iTunes on your computer and connect your iPhone via USB cable. Click on the device icon for your iPhone.
- Under the Summary section, hold the Option key (Mac) or Shift key (Windows) and click on the “Check for Update” button. This will open a dialog box to manually select the iOS firmware file (.ipsw).
- Download the latest .ipsw firmware file for your device from https://www.theiphonewiki.com/wiki/Firmware. Select the downloaded .ipsw file in iTunes.
- iTunes will now install the latest iOS update on your iPhone rather than just checking for the standard release.
Forcing an update with the .ipsw file can help install the latest iOS version if your device is stuck on an older release or not detecting the standard update. Make sure to back up your iPhone before updating.
Update iPhone with Finder
If you have a Mac running macOS Catalina 10.15 or later, you can update your iPhone using the Finder app instead of iTunes. The Finder allows you to sync, backup, and update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
To update your iPhone with the Finder:
- Connect your iPhone to your Mac using the Lightning to USB cable.
- Open Finder on your Mac. Your iPhone will appear in the Finder sidebar under Devices.
- Select your iPhone in the Finder sidebar.
- Click General > Check for Update. Finder will check for available updates and install any available updates.
The Finder will download and install the latest iOS update on your iPhone. Make sure your iPhone is connected to WiFi and plugged in before starting the update to ensure it completes successfully. The update may take some time depending on your internet connection speed.
Using the Finder to update is the easiest way to update your iPhone on a Mac running macOS Catalina or later. It allows you to update directly within the Finder without needing to use iTunes.
Force Update over Cellular Data
If your iPhone is not connected to Wi-Fi, you can force an iOS update using your cellular data plan. Here are the steps:
1. Go to Settings > General > Software Update
2. Tap ‘Download and Install’
3. Enable the “Allow More Data on 5G” option. This allows large updates to be downloaded over cellular data. [1]
4. Tap ‘Agree’ to the data usage prompt.
5. The update will now download and install over cellular data. Make sure you are on an unlimited data plan to avoid overage charges.
With this method, you can force an iOS update on your iPhone even if Wi-Fi is unavailable. Just keep in mind cellular data rates and caps before downloading a large iOS update.
Update with iTunes on Windows
Updating your iPhone through iTunes on Windows is a similar process as on Mac. You will need to open iTunes and connect your iPhone to your computer. The main steps are:
- Open iTunes on your Windows PC. You can download iTunes from Apple’s website if you don’t already have it.
- Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to your computer.
- iTunes will recognize your iPhone. Click on your iPhone icon in iTunes.
- Go to the Summary page for your device in iTunes. Click “Check for Update” to see if an update is available.
- If an update is available, click “Download and Update.” iTunes will download the latest software and install it on your iPhone.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update process. Your iPhone will restart and finish updating.
One difference on Windows is you may need to temporarily disable your antivirus software. Some antivirus programs will block iTunes from properly recognizing or updating your iPhone. After disabling antivirus, restart your computer and retry the update in iTunes.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you encounter errors when trying to update your iPhone via iTunes, there are some troubleshooting steps you can try:
For common errors like “failed verification”, try updating your iPhone again using the same WiFi network according to this Apple discussion thread. If that doesn’t work, you may need to reset your iPhone to factory settings and try updating again.
If your iPhone is stuck in recovery mode and won’t update, you can force it to exit recovery mode and try updating again. This Apple support article provides steps for exiting recovery mode.
In some cases, compatibility issues with the iOS version prevent successful updates. Check that your iPhone model and iOS version are compatible using this compatibility chart from Apple. You may need to update iTunes or restore an older compatible iOS version.
Following troubleshooting tips like these should help resolve any update errors through iTunes. Don’t hesitate to contact Apple support if you continue having issues.
Alternative Update Methods
There are a few other ways to update your iPhone software besides using iTunes or Finder, including over-the-air (OTA) updates, iCloud, and third-party apps.
OTA updates allow you to update your iPhone wirelessly, without connecting to a computer. To do this, go to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone. Your device will check for available updates and prompt you to download and install them. OTA updates require your iPhone to be connected to WiFi in order to download the update.
You can also update your iPhone via iCloud. Make sure you have an active internet connection and are signed in to iCloud on your device. Then go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now to back up your data. Your device will then check for an update and prompt you to download and install it.
Finally, third-party apps like iMazing allow you to update your iPhone software without iTunes or a computer. Download the app, connect your iPhone to your computer, and use the software to check for and install updates directly on your device. This provides more flexibility as you don’t need to rely on iTunes or an internet connection.
Conclusion
In summary, there are a few key ways to force an iTunes update for your iPhone if you are not getting the latest iOS version automatically. The main methods covered in this guide include forcing an update directly in iTunes or the Finder app on a Mac or PC, updating over cellular data instead of WiFi, and troubleshooting common issues.
It’s important to remember that updating to the latest iOS version requires compatibility with your specific iPhone model. Very old iPhone models may not support newer iOS versions. Before updating, always backup your iPhone locally or to iCloud in case any issues occur.
Regular iOS updates are crucial for getting the latest features, security patches, and bug fixes. Outdated iOS versions become increasingly vulnerable over time. While updates take some time and effort, they help keep your iPhone safe and performing at its best.