Software update problems usually have mundane causes: not enough storage, a poor Wi-Fi connection, or a server being temporarily busy. The good news is most of these fix themselves with a few targeted steps.
Check Whether Your Phone Supports the Update
Not all phones can run the latest version of iOS or Android — Apple and Google both drop support for older models. If the update simply doesn't appear, your phone may have reached the end of its supported lifespan for that particular OS version. On iPhone, check Apple's support pages for which iOS version your model supports. On Android, it varies by manufacturer.
Free Up Enough Storage
iOS updates typically need 3–6 GB of free space; Android updates vary but often need 2–4 GB. Check your current free space:
- iPhone: Settings → General → iPhone Storage
- Android: Settings → Storage
Delete photos, cached content, or unused apps until you have enough room.
Connect to Wi-Fi
Large updates won't download over mobile data by default. Make sure you're connected to Wi-Fi with a strong signal, and keep the phone connected during the entire download and install — switching networks mid-download can corrupt the file.
Restart the Phone and Try Again
If the update is stuck downloading or shows an error, restart the phone, reconnect to Wi-Fi, and go back to the update screen. The download often resumes or restarts cleanly.
Delete the Partial Download (iPhone)
\p>- Go to Settings → General → iPhone Storage.
- Look for an entry called iOS [version number] in the app list.
- Tap it and choose Delete Update.
- Go back to Settings → General → Software Update and download it again from scratch.
Update via a Computer (iPhone)
If the over-the-air update keeps failing, updating via a computer is more reliable. Connect your iPhone to a Mac running Finder, or a Windows PC running Apple Devices (or iTunes). Select your phone and click Check for Update, then Update. The computer downloads the full installer file, which is more stable than the wireless method.
Android: Check Manufacturer Update App
Samsung updates go through Settings → Software update → Download and install. On Pixel phones, it's Settings → System → System update. If updates aren't appearing, try tapping Check for update manually rather than waiting for automatic notification.
If an update installs but the phone is stuck on a loading screen afterwards, a force restart usually gets it moving. Ask us if you're stuck at any specific step.