Q&A for How to Update iOS

Return to Full Article

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I update from iOS 7.1.2 to iOS 9?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    If you're using an iPhone 4, iOS 7.1.2 is the last available version of iOS. You won't be able to install a newer version of iOS. If you're using an iPhone 4S or newer, follow the instructions above to update.
  • Question
    Can I upgrade my iPhone 3GS to iOS 7?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No, the latest available version of iOS for the iPhone 3GS is 6.1.6. It is not possible to update to later versions or run apps that require later versions of iOS.
  • Question
    Can I update my iPhone 4?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    The iPhone 4 cannot be updated past iOS 7.1.2. If you want to use a newer version of iOS, you'll need to get a newer iPhone.
  • Question
    My device is running an older version of iOS, but the Download button is not available. What do I do?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Chances are you're using a device that is no longer compatible with newer versions of iOS. The iPhone 4 and older iPhones cannot update to the latest version of iOS. The 1st Generation iPad can also not update past 5.1.1, and iPod Touches 4th Generation and older cannot get the latest version.
  • Question
    Can I update my phone from the internet without having mobile data service?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes. All that is required is an internet connection, which you can get via WiFi. Once updated, your phone may require a SIM card to be inserted before it can be activated. If this is true for you, you can insert any SIM card from your carrier that will fit in the slot, whether or not the card has been flashed with a phone number.
  • Question
    How can I free up space to install the update?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Deleting old photos off your iPhone is the quickest way to free up a lot of space. Games that you no longer play may also be taking up a lot of storage. If you don't want to delete anything, you can use iTunes to download and install the update.
  • Question
    Is the iPhone 4s compatible for iOS8?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You've just squeezed in — the iPhone 4S (but not the iPhone 4) can run iOS 8. Apple typically stops supporting each iPhone device after about 3 years, so you'll probably need to get a new device if you want to keep updating the iOS.
  • Question
    I have a jailbroken iPhone, should I update it?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Installing an update will remove your jailbreak access, and will likely prevent you from re-jailbreaking it until the newest exploit is found. if you want to keep your jailbreak, you'll want to avoid updating.
  • Question
    Why won't an iPhone 3G update to the latest IOS?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Unfortunately, the hardware on the iPhone 3G is too old. Apple usually discontinues a product after 3 years.
  • Question
    How do I update my iPad 1?
    Bat 🦇
    Bat 🦇
    Top Answerer
    The hardware of the iPad 1 is too old to get updates. The latest iOS version you are able to install on it is iOS 5.1.1.
  • Question
    Why can't I update my iPhone 4S to iOS 10?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    The iPhone 4S, along with the iPad 2, 3, mini, and the iPod Touch 5th Gen, is no longer receiving iOS updates. The latest available iOS version for the iPhone 4S is 9.3.5.
  • Question
    Why won't my iPhone allow me to update beyond version 7.1.2?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You have an iPhone 4, which cannot be updated past iOS 7.1.2. iOS 7.1.2 is bad enough on the iPhone 4, I could see iOS 8 being nearly unusable on the iPhone 4. If you want to update further, you'll need to get a new iPhone capable of running newer iOS versions.
  • Question
    Can I upgrade my iPhone 6 Plus to iOS 9 or above?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    The iPhone 6 Plus is capable of running the latest iOS available at the time of writing, which is iOS 12.2.
  • Question
    How do I update my iOS if it says it is up to date when it is not?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Your iPhone is running the latest software available for that iPhone, and is therefore considered 'up to date'.
  • Question
    Can I update my iPhone 4s 7.1.2 to the newer version?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No you can’t update iOS past iOS 7.1.2. You need a 4s to get iOS 8.0. It gets iOS 4 5 6 and 7.
  • Question
    Can an iPhone 5 update to iOS 12?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No. Because of the same thing with iOS 11, the latest update is iOS 10.3.4, so it can’t update to iOS 12.
  • Question
    How can I update my iPhone 6 to iOS 13 beta?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You'd need to jailbreak your iPhone to get the beta.
  • Question
    Is the iPad 2 compatible with iOS 11?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No. iOS 9.3.6 is the latest version of iOS for iPad 2.
  • Question
    How can I update my iPhone 4s to iOS 10?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    iPhone 4s does not upgrade to iOS 10. The last update it gets is the iOS 8.
  • Question
    How can I update the iPhone SE to iOS 13.6?
    Smileyfun303
    Smileyfun303
    Community Answer
    Go to general —> settings —> software update then download it from there! If it does not appear, reboot your iPhone.
  • Question
    I’m using iphone 5s so can I update it to iOS 12?
    Jackson Sivley
    Jackson Sivley
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can, but it will only go up to the IOS 14 software update. This means it will not update to IOS 15.
  • Question
    What do I do if my iPhone won't install the newest version of iOS?
    Jackson Sivley
    Jackson Sivley
    Community Answer
    Check Apple support for a device that will not update. Be aware in advance that when you update to IOS 11, apps with 32-bit architectures won’t start or download anymore.
  • Question
    What do I do if I have no option to update iOS in the software update section?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You might have a weak internet connection or your iOS device is not eligible for that update. It's good practice to check if your device is compatible with that version of iOS, check service status on Apple's website or contact Apple Support for extra help.
  • Question
    How do I accept the legal terms for an update on iOS?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Tap the Accept button when the EULA is shown to you. It may appear when installing iOS via iTunes on a computer, when updating over-the-air or when setting up iPhone.
  • Question
    Can I update my 6s to iOS 17?
    StrangelyQuiet
    StrangelyQuiet
    Top Answerer
    No. An iPhone 6s can go only as far as iOS 15. You will need at least an iPhone XR or XS to get to iOS 17.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit

Return to Full Article

You Might Also Like

Find Apple ID Password Without Resetting It6 Ways to View Your Apple ID Password—No Resetting Required
IOS 18 Game ModeEverything You Need to Know about Game Mode in iOS 18
Add an App Back to Home Screen Add an App Back to Home Screen: Tips for Finding Apps
Go Back to a Previous Version of iOS on an iPhone Downgrade and Restore Older Versions of iOS on iPhone
Get Rid of Screen Time Turn Off Screen Time: 4 Simple Methods You Can Try
Tell if Your iPhone Is HackedIs Your iPhone Hacked? How to Tell and What to Do
Airplay to Firestick AirPlay to a Fire Stick from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac
Get App Store BackApp Store Missing? 3 Easy Methods to Restore It on iPhone or iPad
IOS 17 FaceTime GesturesiOS 17 Gestures: How to Trigger Reaction Effects in FaceTime
Does No Location Found Mean They Stopped SharingNo Location Found Error in Find My: Meaning and Solutions
Use GenmojiiOS 18 Guide: How to Use Genmoji + What Genmoji Is
IPhone Goes Straight to VoicemailWhy Is My iPhone Going Straight to Voicemail?
IPhone Update Requested4 Simple Ways to Fix iPhone iOS 16 "Update Requested"
See Airdrop HistoryCan You See Your AirDrop History? And How to See Files Shared with You