Slow iPhone Updates? – Fix Your Problems Like a Pro

With Apple’s release of the new version of its operating system – iOS 16 – many iPhone users have found that their update processes are taking longer than expected. From network congestion to lack of storage capacity on older models, several different factors can cause lengthy delays in downloading and installing updates.

Today, I’ll cover some of the main causes of iOS update problems. Then I’ll tell you how to speed up your iPhone updates – like a pro!

Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a tech expert.

fix slow iphone update problems
Quick Answer:

Struggling with slow iPhone updates? There are many reasons why this can happen, from network congestion to the size of the update and even incompatible apps. To speed things up, make sure you have a stable Wi-Fi connection, sufficient storage space, no running apps or services, and enough battery life before starting the process.

Disable background app refresh and put your phone in Airplane Mode for extra speed. Finally, back up all important documents just in case anything goes wrong!

10 Reasons for Slow iOS Updates

1. Network Congestion: During major updates, many people attempt to download and install the software at once, causing a massive amount of network congestion. This can cause delays in downloading and installing updates as the network struggles to accommodate all requests from users attempting to update their devices.

2. Size of the Update: The size of the update itself will affect how long it takes for an iPhone to update successfully. If you have an older iPhone model, then there’s a chance that your device cannot handle a larger update and therefore needs more time to download and install it.

3. File System of Older Models: Older models of iPhones come with different file systems than newer models, which can cause longer installation times due to their outdated nature. Having a strong internet connection won’t help in this case since the file system will still take some time to get used to and update properly before completing the installation process.

4. Background Apps: If you’re running too many apps or services on your phone before updating it, then this could extend your waiting time significantly; each app or service must be closed for your phone to start downloading and installing the new version of iOS correctly.

5. Compatible Updates: Before starting an update, Apple checks if all apps installed on your phone are compatible with that version of iOS; if they are not compatible yet, then your phone won’t start downloading and installing until they become compatible through further updates from developers themselves.

6. Storage Capacity: If you don’t have enough storage capacity on your device (e.g., 16GB), then this could also prolong your waiting time; when trying to install a large update such as iOS 16, you need ample space available for everything to go smoothly without any lags or slowdowns during installation time. The Backlight blog has useful tips on how to deal with storage issues on your device if you want to learn about it.

7. Software Checks: Before initiating an update process, iPhones carry out various software checks to make sure everything is working correctly before you start downloading any new files; this ensures that nothing goes wrong during installation but may also lead to longer waiting times if any problems arise during these checks (e.g., corrupted files).

8. App Store Issues: Sometimes, when performing an upgrade, users might experience issues related to the App Store, leading them to be unable to complete their upgrades. This is usually caused by server overloads or connectivity issues from Apple’s side.

9 . Battery Life: Low battery life can also contribute to longer upgrading times. When the battery is low, most phones will begin saving power by halting any processing tasks, resulting in higher waiting times while upgrading.

10. Server Overload: As mentioned above, server overloads on Apple’s side can cause issues with upgrading processes due to both technical failures and simply having too many people wanting their phones updated at once.

updating message

7 Tips to Speed Up iOS Updates

1. Ensure that your iPhone has a stable Wi-Fi connection before starting an iOS update. A good internet connection is essential to ensure that the new software update goes as smoothly as possible. Make sure that you are connected to a reliable Wi-Fi network before attempting to update your iPhone’s operating system.

2. Make sure that your device has enough available storage space for the iOS update. Before beginning any iOS updates, check how much storage space is available on your device by going to ‘Settings’> ‘General’> ‘About’> ‘Available’. If there isn’t enough available storage space to accommodate the download and installation of the new software update, consider deleting some apps or media files from your device to free up some space.

3. Close out all running apps and services on your device before starting an iOS update. Running applications can slow down the process of downloading and installing a new iOS update, so it’s highly recommended to close out any running apps before attempting an upgrade.

4. Temporarily disable background app refresh on your device before beginning an iOS update. Background app refresh allows apps to continue performing tasks, such as updating content, even when they’re not actively being used by the user; however, this can cause problems during updates, so it’s best to temporarily disable background app refresh until after the iOS upgrade has been completed successfully.

5. Put your iPhone into Airplane Mode while it downloads and installs a new software update. This will help speed up the entire process by preventing calls or messages from coming through while you’re updating the operating system on your device; however, make sure to take the phone out of Airplane Mode once it has finished installing all of its necessary updates and files.

6. Delete any unnecessary files on your iPhone before beginning an iOS upgrade – this will help streamline the entire process and free up more storage space for any needed updates. It’s also important to back up all important documents stored on the phone before beginning any kind of software upgrade, just in case something happens during or after the process is finished (such as data loss).

7. Confirm that you have plenty of battery life left on your phone before attempting an iOS upgrade – this will ensure that nothing gets interrupted during the installation process due to low battery power levels in between steps or downloads required for the successful completion of the task at hand!

fixing iphone updates

To Sum Up

Slow iPhone updates can be due to various factors such as network congestion, size of the update, background apps, storage capacity, and software checks. Before beginning an iOS upgrade it’s important to delete any unnecessary files on your phone and confirm that there is plenty of battery life left on your device to avoid interruption during installation.

To speed up iOS updates having a stable Wi-Fi connection is also a must. Follow the tips and advice in this guide and you should have a speedy and trouble-free update experience.

Author - Susan Kennedy

Hi there - I'm Susan Kennedy, a regular mom who has used spy apps for years now. I was fed up with spammy reviews and poor information so I started this website. I also teach you how to improve your online security and stop unwanted spy apps. Reliable information from a real person!

Susan Kennedy author