1. Essentials to ensure iOS update downloads and installs
I. Ensure your iPhone is compatible
The first step is to ensure your device and iOS compatibility. If you have an iPhone 8 or later (including iPhone SE 1 gen.), you can download and install the iOS 16. However, If you have iPhone 7 or earlier, iOS 15 is the maximum you can go. You can see the complete list of iOS 16-supported devices.
II. Make sure you have over 50% battery
You must have over 50% battery to install an iOS update. If the charge is less, please plug your iPhone into charging. While charging or once the battery is above 50%, you can download and install the iOS update effortlessly.
III. Connect to a stable Wi-Fi
It is vital to ensure that you have stable Wi-Fi. Also, ensure you have turned off the VPN on your iPhone or the router level. If the Wi-Fi at a coffee shop is not letting you download the update, consider using your home or office Wi-Fi. Note: Some minor iOS updates can now be downloaded using mobile data. According to my testing over the last few months, major updates still require Wi-Fi.
IV. Ensure you have sufficient free space
To download and install iOS updates, ensure you have free space. You will see a message on the update screen if you do not have ample free space. Check out our guide on how to free iPhone space to resolve it.
V. Wait for some time or try again later
You tried the above fixes, and still, if it does not help, you may get worried, thinking, why won’t my iPhone update to iOS 16! But in some instances, the fault does not lie at your end! For example, people worldwide flock to download the latest iOS version when a major update is released. This is strenuous for Apple servers, and for a long time, you will see “Waiting to update…” In these conditions, the best solution is to wait a few hours. You may also check Apple’s server and see if things are ok here or not. If you cannot install the iOS update on your iPhone, move on to the next step.
2. Force quit the Settings app
If you cannot install the iOS 16 update on your iPhone, force quit the Settings app.
3. Restart your iPhone
This is another important fix for iOS updates not installing. To restart your iPhone, turn it off and after one minute, turn it back on.
4. Learn how to fix frozen iPhone update
Is your iPhone update frozen? Is it stuck on the same update requested screen for a long time? In this situation, please see this post where I show you multiple solutions to fix this issue.
5. Reset Network Settings
This is an almost sure-shot solution to fix failed software update issues. A while back, my iPhone update also got stuck. I switched to three different Wi-Fi networks. Still, the update was not downloading. Finally, I reset the Network Settings, and everything was as good as possible. Note: This will not delete personal data like apps, photos, videos, songs, etc. However, all Network Settings related to Wi-Fi, Cellular, and such will be erased. In rare cases, if this does not help, go ahead and reset all settings. This, too, won’t delete personal data. But all settings you have ever changed or added, like notifications, keyboard, Wi-Fi, location, VPN, etc., will reset to the default state.
6. Use a computer to download and install iPhone update
Finally, if nothing seems to work now, you can update your iPhone using a Mac or Windows PC. We have a detailed guide explaining how to do that. I hope the methods listed here helped. These were the solution to fix the ‘cannot download and install iOS update’ issue. If you need more assistance, don’t hesitate to contact me via the comments section below. If you think your device needs physical inspection, please contact Apple Support. Check out next:
How to update the firmware on AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods MaxHow to fix the “Update Apple ID Settings” issue on iPhoneSteps to update an app on iPhone or iPad
