If you don’t have the most recent iOS on your iPhone but would like to, check out these ways to update your iPhone to the latest version.
1. Install iPhone update from your device
Before you start the update, first check whether your iDevice is suitable for the latest version of iOS. Older phones are often no longer compatible. For example, iOS 11 is suitable for the iPhone 5S and newer.
Before updating iOS, make sure you have backed up iPhone. Do that on your computer or via iCloud. The backup ensures that you do not lose important data and that you can fall back to your current version of iOS if the installation does not go smoothly.
If an update for iOS is available, you should automatically receive a notification. If not, you can update through the settings. To do this, go to ‘Settings> General> Software update’. Your iPhone will then search for the most recent iOS version. Tap on the ‘Download’ option and install and iOS will be updated.
2. Update iOS through iTunes
If you can’t update wirelessly or just prefer to do so via iTunes, you will first need the most recent version of iTunes. So check if you have it and otherwise download the latest iTunes. Even if you are still running version 4.3.X on your iOS device, you must update via iTunes.
Then connect the iPhone to the computer with a cable. ITunes should automatically find the device. Select your iPhone and go to ‘Check for update’ in the ‘Overview’ section. You can find this to the right of the display of the device. Then click on ‘Download and install’ and iOS will be updated.
iPhone update overview
Curious which iOS version your device can currently run on? Then view our iOS update overview for a complete overview and tips for updating the software of your iPhone (or iPad and iPod).