Q&A for How to Update iOS

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How do I update from iOS 7.1.2 to iOS 9?

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.

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Can I upgrade my iPhone 3GS to iOS 7?

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.

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Question

Can I update my iPhone 4?

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.

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Question

My device is running an older version of iOS, but the Download button is not available. What do I do?

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.

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Question

Can I update my phone from the internet without having mobile data service?

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.

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Question

How can I free up space to install the update?

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.

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Question

Is the iPhone 4s compatible for iOS8?

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.

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Question

I have a jailbroken iPhone, should I update it?

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.

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Question

Why won't an iPhone 3G update to the latest IOS?

Community Answer

Unfortunately, the hardware on the iPhone 3G is too old. Apple usually discontinues a product after 3 years.

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How do I update my iPad 1?

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.

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Question

Why can't I update my iPhone 4S to iOS 10?

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.

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Question

Why won't my iPhone allow me to update beyond version 7.1.2?

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.

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Question

Can I upgrade my iPhone 6 Plus to iOS 9 or above?

Community Answer

The iPhone 6 Plus is capable of running the latest iOS available at the time of writing, which is iOS 12.2.

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Question

How do I update my iOS if it says it is up to date when it is not?

Community Answer

Your iPhone is running the latest software available for that iPhone, and is therefore considered 'up to date'.

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Question

Can I update my iPhone 4s 7.1.2 to the newer version?

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.

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Question

Can an iPhone 5 update to iOS 12?

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.

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Question

How can I update my iPhone 6 to iOS 13 beta?

Community Answer

You'd need to jailbreak your iPhone to get the beta.

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Question

Is the iPad 2 compatible with iOS 11?

Community Answer

No. iOS 9.3.6 is the latest version of iOS for iPad 2.

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Question

How can I update my iPhone 4s to iOS 10?

Community Answer

iPhone 4s does not upgrade to iOS 10. The last update it gets is the iOS 8.

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Question

How can I update the iPhone SE to iOS 13.6?

Smileyfun303

Community Answer

Go to general —> settings —> software update then download it from there! If it does not appear, reboot your iPhone.

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Question

I’m using iphone 5s so can I update it to iOS 12?

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.

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Question

What do I do if my iPhone won't install the newest version of iOS?

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.

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Question

What do I do if I have no option to update iOS in the software update section?

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.

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Question

How do I accept the legal terms for an update on iOS?

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.

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Question

Can I update my 6s to iOS 17?

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.

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