Once a year, Apple announces a brand new version of iOS, the operating system that runs on all iPhones. These full version updates bring new features, interface tweaks, and important security fixes – and best of all, they're free.
The latest version isiOS 15, and can be downloaded and installed starting today (September 20, 2021). In this article we explain how to install iOS 15 on your iPhone and help you with any problems.
When will iOS 15 be available?
In the UK, iOS 15 should be available for download at 6pm BST tonight (September 20, 2021).
In the US, we expect iOS 15 to launch around 10am PDT and 1am EDT.
As of this writing we are seeing the update on our iPhones, but if you don't see it yet, please wait. It may take a while to reach this.
What should I use?
You install the iOS 15 update from Apple's servers, so that you have a reliable internet connection. Other than that, all you need is an iOS 15-compatible iPhone and access to power (you'll need to plug the iPhone in while it's updating).
Does my iPhone support iOS 15?
We mentioned iOS 15 compatible iPhones - this is important. Not all iPhones can install the latest version of iOS. Some older models are not certified as powerful enough to run the latest software.
However, if you have an iPhone 6s or later (including the iPhone 7, 8, X, 11, 12, and 13 series, plus the 2020 iPhone SE), you might be fine to install iOS 15 . For a complete list, readWhich iPhones can get iOS 15?
Prepare iPhone for iOS 15
A few things to check off before grabbing the update:
- Back up your iPhoneif something goes wrong.
- Free up some space on your iPhone.The iOS update will likely take up quite a bit of space during installation - and it's worth freeing up some space anyway.
- Connect to a power supply.
- Make sure you download over WiFi and not 3G or 4G, otherwise you may run out of data. Also check if it is a secure network. (For example, we don't recommend installing an iOS update over hotel Wi-Fi.)
Okay. We're ready to install iOS 15!
How to install iOS 15
Open the Settings app: Tap the gray gear app icon if you can see it, or go to search (by swiping down from any home screen) and type Settings.
Go to General > Software Update and wait while iOS checks for new updates. When iOS 15 is up for grabs (and keep in mind that the rollout is often delayed a little earlier than we expect, and may arrive later in some areas than others), you will be notified here. If you don't have one of the later iOS 14 versions installed (such as iOS 14.8), you'll see iOS 14.8 at the top of the screen and "Also available: Upgrade to iOS 15" at the bottom.
If there is no new version of iOS available for download, you will see the message "Your software is up to date."
You can read about the update by tapping More Info, or go in and tap Download & Install at the bottom of the screen.
Enter your password and accept the terms and conditions if necessary. Your device will download the update in the background and you can continue doing other things while this is happening. When the transfer is completed, you will receive a notification on your iPhone.
Go back to Settings and tap Install Now and wait for the process to complete.
We discuss the update process in more detail in a dedicated article:How to Update iOS on Your iPhone.
Why won't my iPhone install iOS 15?
Here are some common issues you may encounter when updating your iPhone and our suggested solutions:
Why isn't iOS 15 available yet?
As mentioned above, iOS rollout is not predictable. Give it an hour or two and try again later.
It takes a long time to install iOS 15
This is common, especially if you install the update on the day it comes out, as Apple's servers are always extremely busy. Take the time estimates given in the interface with a grain of salt.
iOS 15 cannot be installed at all
Make sure your iPhone is compatible, that you're using Wi-Fi instead of a cellular network, and that your iPhone is connected.
If the problem still persists, read onWhat to do if you can't update your iPhone.
Other issues with iOS 15
Whenever a new version of iOS appears on iPhones, there are usually reports of battery drain issues, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity issues, app issues, and other issues. Below we've collected some of the issues reported after users installed iOS 15. You can expect these to be fixed in future iPhone operating system updates.
Battery life issues
A noticeable reduction in battery life is often reported after a major iOS update, but this isn't necessarily due to a bug. If you are experiencing reduced battery life, it is likely because after the update, many processes will be running in the background while your system re-indexes your data. Fortunately, this should be short-lived and battery life will return to normal levels soon.
Mute
There are reports that muting the iPhone mutes audio in individual apps - which didn't work before the update. Like a Redditposterput it this way: "I've always been able to listen to audio (on Instagram and YouTube) when my phone is off, just pressing the volume button brought out the audio just fine. But after updating to iOS 15 I have to turn off my phone to listen to audio on Instagram (Story, Reels and Video posts) and YouTube.”
Not enough memory
There are complaints about iPhones reporting that there is not enough storage available when there is enough space. As a message on Appleshelp pagessay it: "After the iOS 15 update in settings telling me iPhone storage is full but I have 15 GB, this won't go away. A hard reset didn't help."
Notifications are not delivered
There are complaints that notifications from apps like Outlook or Slack are not being delivered. Some users have resolved this by uninstalling and reinstalling the app.
The iCloud+ storage cannot be updated
Some users have reported problems updating iCloud storage levels after the update.
iTunes not working
Some iPhone users who rely on a PC find that iTunes is not working because some files are missing.
