How to Fix iPhone 15 Won’t Update to the Latest iOS 17/16

To fix iPhone 15 won’t update to the latest iOS 17/16, this post lists X best ways to you. With the detailed guide, you can solve the iPhone 15 update issues with ease.

Clara by Clara Updated January 5, 2024
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iPhone 15 won't update

I just bought a new iPhone 15, I have been trying to do the software update for 3 hours now and it's been stuck on the same screen. How to fix it? I don’t want to lose any data.

- Question from Apple Community

Why Is Your iPhone 15 Not Update?

Updating your iPhone is an essential task to enjoy the latest features and security enhancements. However, encountering issues like your iPhone 15 not updating can be frustrating. Common culprits include:

A poor internet connection

Insufficient storage space

Glitches in the update process

Battery level

In this guide, we will provide 9 practical solutions to get your iPhone on the latest iOS version.

Preparation: How to backup iPhone to avoid data loss

Before you start to fix the issue of unable to check for update iPhone 15, if you don’t want to lose your iPhone data in the process, you’d better back up your iPhone. Apple officially provides two backup methods, icloud and iTunes, but they have many limitations. Therefore, we recommend a reliable and free iOS data transfer and backup function to you.

FoneTool is a professional tool with user-friendly interface, which allows you to fully back up and selectively back up your iPhone to iPad/PC/Or other external devices. It means that you have the unlimited storage space to save your backups. More information you can see the below form.

iphone 15 wont update

Now you can free download and install FoneTool on your PC, and follow the guide to back up your iPhone with a few simple clicks. 

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Step 1. Connect your iPhone 15 to the PC with a USB cable.

Step 2. Open FoneTool on your PC > Go to Phone Backup > you can choose Full Backup option to back up everything on your iPhone, or choose Select Backup > Then select Get Started.

iphone 15 wont update

Step 3. Decide a storage location for your backup > Tap Start Backup.

iphone 15 wont update

How to Fix iPhone to Update and Install the iOS 17/16

After you prepared an iPhone backup, here, we list 9 best ways to help you solve new iPhone 15 won’t update to the iOS 17/16. You can try these solutions one by one or pick the ways you like.

Fix 1. Check the Internet Connection

The first way to solve “why wont my new iPhone 15 update” is to check the network connection. Because a stable internet connection is crucial for a successful update. Ensure you're connected to Wi-Fi, and if possible, use a high-speed connection to avoid interruptions during the update process.

Besides, you can reset network settings if you meet internet problems: Open Settings app > General > Reset > Choose Reset Network Settings.

iphone 15 wont update

Fix 2. Force Restart the iPhone 15

Performing a force restart can address minor glitches that might be impeding the update process. Follow the steps to give your iPhone 15 a fresh start: Quickly press and release the Volume Up button > Hit and release the Volume Down button > Press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo on the screen.

iphone 15 wont update

Fix 3. Free up the Storage on your iPhone

Insufficient storage space is a common obstacle that will lead to iPhone 15 update issues. To do an iOS storage management or iPhone space release, you can delete unnecessary apps, photos, videos or other data to create room for the update.

To permanently erase your iPhone data, we recommend you to use FoneTool. It offers a data erase function, which allows you to erase private data or erase all data on your iPhone. we take erase private data as an example, you can follow the ways below:

Step 1. Download and launch FoneTool on your PC > Connect the iPhone 15 to the computer via USB cable.

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Step 2. Choose Toolbox on the left panel > Select Data Eraser.

iphone 15 wont update

Step 3. Choose Erase private data > Click Get Started.

iphone 15 wont update

Step 4. Check each icon that needs to be deleted > Select Enable Deep Erase Technology if you need them unrecoverable > Click Start Erase to begin.

iphone 15 wont update

Fix 4. Charge your iPhone

Updating to the latest system requires your device to have sufficient power. Keep an eye on your battery level, and if it's low, connect your iPhone to a power source and wait until it has enough power to complete the update.

Fix 5. Skip the Software Update and Install iOS Later

If the iPhone 15 update process stalls and stuck on the screen, you can try skipping the software update temporarily. Check the ways to do it: Navigate to Settings > General > Software Update > Choose Later. Then you can reattempt update your iPhone 15 after a while.

Fix 6. Restart the Software Update Process

In addition to the above methods, you can try to update your software. Go to Settings > General > Software Update > Choose Download and Install to update your iPhone again. After that, you can check if it progresses smoothly.

iphone 15 wont update

Fix 7. Use PC to Update Your iPhone 15

You can use iTunes to update the new iPhone 15 to the latest iOS on your Windows PC. This method can bypass issues related to over-the-air updates. Here is the detailed guide:

Step 1. Download the latest iTunes on the PC > Open iTunes > Connect your iPhone and your computer with a USB cable.

Step 2. Tap the Device icon on the interface > Click Summary tab under Settings > Tap the Check for Update button.

Step 3. If there is an available iOS update, you will see a prompt > Click the Download and Update within the prompt.

iphone 15 wont update

Fix 8. Use Mac to Update Your iPhone 15

For Mac users, the Finder application can be a reliable alternative for updating your iPhone. Below are the detailed steps:

Step 1. Connect your iPhone 15 to the Mac > Open Finder.

Step 2. Choose the device on the left sidebar > Click General.

Step 3. Tap on Check for Update > Choose Download and Update and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.

iphone 15 wont update

Fix 9. Connect to Apple Support

If above methods not work well, seeking assistance from Apple Support can offer personalized help. Their experts can guide you through additional troubleshooting steps or identify any larger issues that may require attention.

Conclusion

That’s all about how to fix iPhone 15 won’t update to the latest iOS 17/16. Updating your iPhone to the latest iOS version is crucial for a seamless and secure user experience. By applying the provided fixes, you can overcome obstacles that prevent your iPhone 15 from updating. Don’t forget to back up your iPhone data of you want to avoid losing your data, we strongly suggest you to use FoneTool to full backup and selective backup.

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