An iPhone software update failed message often comes down to storage, a weak connection or a download that needs to be deleted and started again. A slow download or a progress bar that barely moves is normal, so the first job is telling a slow update from a stuck one.
An update needs a compatible iPhone, an internet connection and enough free storage, and a power source helps. Check that your iPhone model supports the version, then work through the steps below in order and retry after each one.
An iPhone Software Update Failed Message Often Means Storage or Wi-Fi
- Open Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
- Tap Enable next to Offload Unused Apps, which temporarily removes app data without deleting your personal information.
- Delete apps you no longer use, and free up iPhone storage by clearing large photos, videos and downloads if you need more room.
- Connect to Wi-Fi and avoid downloading other content during the update.
A slow download is not a failure, because the time depends on the size of the update and your internet speed. You can keep using the iPhone meanwhile, and it notifies you when the update is ready to install.
Delete the Update and Download It Again When the Check Keeps Failing
Alerts such as “Unable to Check for Update” or “Unable to Download” say that an error occurred, that the iPhone is not connected to the internet, or that the update needs a Wi-Fi connection to download. Retry on the same network first, then try a different network, and if the problem repeats on every network, delete the update and download it again.
- Open Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
- Find the update in the list, tap it, then tap Delete Update.
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update and download it again.
If the update does not appear in the storage list, or the problem comes back after a fresh download, update from a computer instead.
A Slow Progress Bar Does Not Mean the Update Is Stuck
After the iPhone restarts to install an update, the Apple logo and a progress bar can move slowly or look frozen, and the bar can even finish and start over. Let it run, and press a button if it seems stuck, because an “updating” message means the install is still going.
If the battery dies during a wireless update, connect the iPhone to power and turn it on so the update can finish. A frozen iPhone needs a force restart, and an iPhone stuck on the Apple logo after an update has more fixes to try.
Update from a Mac or Windows PC When the iPhone Still Will Not Install It
A computer you trust can install the update when the iPhone cannot. Back up the iPhone to iCloud or the computer first, and if the computer is using the iPhone’s Personal Hotspot, switch it to a different Wi-Fi or Ethernet network.
- On a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, open a Finder window and connect the iPhone.
- Select the iPhone in the sidebar, click General, then click Check for Update.
- Click Download and Update, follow the onscreen instructions and enter your passcode if asked.
A Windows PC, or a Mac on macOS Mojave or earlier, uses iTunes instead. Connect the iPhone, click the device button, open the Summary tab, then click Check for Update and Download and Update.
Recovery Mode Reinstalls iOS When the Computer Cannot Update the iPhone
Use recovery mode when the screen shows the Apple logo for several minutes with no progress bar, or when the computer does not recognize the iPhone. Update the Mac to the latest macOS, or install the latest Apple Devices app on a Windows PC, then connect the iPhone with a USB cable and open Finder or the app.
Press the buttons for your model until the Connect to computer screen appears.
- iPhone 8 or later, including iPhone SE (2nd generation) and newer: press and quickly release Volume Up, press and quickly release Volume Down, then hold the Side button.
- iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus: hold Volume Down and the Side button together.
- iPhone 6s and earlier, including iPhone SE (1st generation): hold the Home button and the Side or Top button together.
The steps to put an iPhone in recovery mode cover each model in more detail, and in iOS 27 the recovery screen opens without a computer.
Choose Update when the computer offers Update or Restore, since Restore erases the iPhone and reinstalls iOS. If the download takes longer than 15 minutes, the iPhone can leave the Connect to computer screen, so let the download finish and repeat the button steps.
