You can update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS wirelessly. If you’re using iOS or iPadOS 14.5 or later, you might now see the option to choose between two software update versions. This option allows you to choose between updating to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS 15 as soon as it’s released or continuing on iOS or iPadOS 14 while still getting important security updates for a period of time.
Before you update
- Back up your device using iCloud or your computer.
- Check that your computer is running macOS Catalina or later. Using a Mac with macOS Mojave or earlier?
- If your computer is using a Personal Hotspot on the device that you’re updating, connect your computer to a different Wi-Fi or Ethernet network.
Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch wirelessly
If a message says that an update is available, tap Install Now to update now. Or you can tap Later and choose Install Tonight or Remind Me Later. If you tap Install Tonight, just plug your device into power at night, and your device will update automatically overnight.
You can also follow these steps
- Plug your device into power and connect to the internet with Wi-Fi.
- Go to Settings > General, then tap Software Update.
- If you see two software update options available, choose the one that you want to install.
- Tap Install Now. If you see Download and Install instead, tap it to download the update, enter your passcode, then tap Install Now.
You might see that your device is up to date on its current version, and there’s an update available. For example, even if your device is up to date on the latest version of iOS 14, there might be an option to update to iOS 15.
Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch using your computer
- Open a Finder window on a Mac with macOS Catalina or later.
- Connect your device to your computer.
- Select your device in the left sidebar of the Finder window.
- Click General, then click Check for Update.
- Click Download and Update. Continue by following the on-screen instructions.
- If asked, enter your passcode.
Also Read: How to Use Quick Start to transfer data to a new iPhone, iPad
Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch using iTunes
- Open iTunes on your Mac with macOS Mojave or earlier or on your Windows PC.
- Connect your device to your computer.
- Click the device button in the iTunes toolbar.
- In the Summary tab, click Check for Update.
- Click Download and Update. Continue by following the on-screen instructions.
- If asked, enter your passcode.
Customize automatic updates
Your device can update automatically overnight while it’s charging. Here’s how to turn on automatic updates:
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
- Tap Automatic Updates, then turn on Download iOS Updates.
- Turn on Install iOS Updates. Your device will automatically update to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS. Some updates might need to be installed manually.
