Update your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support (2024)

FAQs

How to update your iPhone or iPad to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS? ›

Go to Settings > General > Software Update. Tap Automatic Updates, then turn on Download iOS Updates. Turn on Install iOS Updates. Your device automatically updates to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS.

If your device still doesn't have enough space, you can use your computer to update your device. If you can't connect your device to your computer, you can make room for the update by removing content and apps on your device that you don't use. Go to Settings > General > [Device name] Storage.

If you can't install the latest version of iOS or iPadOS on your iPhone or iPad. You might be unable to update your iPhone or iPad wirelessly, or over the air, for one of these reasons: Your device doesn't support the latest software. There isn't enough available storage space on your device.

While updating your iPhone may seem inconvenient, it's a necessary step to ensure optimal performance, privacy, and security. Neglecting updates can lead to a sluggish phone and potential security risks, making the brief inconvenience of updating well worth the effort.

The oldest model Apple makes that is still able to install iPadOS 18 is from 2018, but assuming that Apple continues support of iPadOS 16 until September 2025, the decade-old 1st gen 12.9-inch iPad Pro from 2015 will still be supported for another year, as will the 2016 9.7-inch iPad Pro and the 2017 iPad (5th gen).

The two most common solutions to clear storage space on your iPad is to delete photos/videos from your photo library or to uninstall apps. Before you delete anything though, make sure that you know how to backup the files you would like to keep. For example, you can keep a backup of your photo library on iCloud.

If your device is low on storage or has storage full, it automatically frees up space while installing an app, updating iOS or iPadOS, downloading music, recording videos, and more, To make more storage available, your device may also remove items that can be downloaded again or aren't needed anymore.

If you're seeing an "Insufficient storage available" message on your Android, chances are that you've used up most of your device's available memory. To fix this, you'll need to make some space by deleting apps and/or media; you can also add external storage, such as a Micro SD card, to your phone.

Can My iPad Be Updated? The older your iPad, the less likely is it you can update it to the latest version of iPadOS. In some cases, you won't even be able to use iPadOS, instead being left with iOS—the previous operating system for iPads.

Which iPads can update to iOS 16? ›

iOS 16 supports all iPhones starting at iPhone 8 and later and iPadOS 16 supports iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air (3rd generation and later), iPad (5th generation and later) iPad mini (5th generation and later).

This update introduces Security Keys for Apple ID, and includes other enhancements, bug fixes, and security updates for your iPad.

With an iPhone, you receive the latest iOS updates up to 5 years after the release of the device. That makes the iPhone durable and ensures that your older device lasts a long time.

If you're thinking about buying an old model of iPhone, or a refurbished unit, beware that its safe lifespan is limited. The same is true if you hand an iPhone down to a family member; it's important to ensure that the model in question will still get major iOS updates for as long as you plan to use it.

How do you update an iPad that won't update? If it's too old, you can't. Unfortunately, there's no way to get past the limitations of your older iPad model if it's too old to update. These models don't have enough internal RAM to run the new and improved technology of later updates like iPadOS 16.

iPadOS 17 was revealed on June 5th 2023 at the WWDC conference. It supports iPad Pros 12.9" Second Generation and later as well as the 10.5" iPad Pro and the 11" iPad Pro First Generation and later, although the support section at iPadOS 17 - Apple is not very clear about this.

On an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

To find the software version installed on your device, go to Settings > General > About.