iPhone updates usually take 15 to 30 minutes on a stable Wi-Fi connection, but can stretch to an hour or more if your internet is slow or your phone is older
The time depends on three things: your internet speed, your iPhone model, and whether you're updating over Wi-Fi or plugging into a computer. A newer iPhone on fast Wi-Fi will finish in 15 to 20 minutes. An older model on a weak connection might take 45 minutes to an hour. During that time, your phone will restart several times and show a progress bar — this is normal and you should not unplug it or force it off.
The actual download of the update file happens first and is usually the longest part. After that, your phone installs the update, which involves restarting and running background processes. You'll see the Apple logo and a progress bar during installation. Once it's done, your phone will restart one final time and you'll see your lock screen.
Key Takeaways
- Most iPhone updates take 15 to 30 minutes on Wi-Fi, but slow internet or older phones can add another 15 to 30 minutes.
- Your phone will restart multiple times during the update — this is expected and you should leave it plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi the whole time.
- Updating over Wi-Fi is faster than using a computer, but both methods work and both require a stable connection.
- If your update stalls or gets stuck on the Apple logo for more than 15 minutes, force restart your phone by pressing and releasing the volume up button, then the volume down button, then holding the side button until you see the recovery screen.
Why iPhone updates take different amounts of time
The size of the update file varies. A minor update (like 17.2.1 to 17.2.2) is usually 100 to 300 megabytes and downloads quickly. A major update (like 16 to 17) can be 3 to 5 gigabytes and takes longer. Your internet speed matters most here — on a 50 Mbps connection, a 3 GB file takes about 8 minutes to download. On a 10 Mbps connection, it takes 40 minutes.
Older iPhones also process updates more slowly. An iPhone 14 or newer will install the update faster than an iPhone 11 because it has a faster processor. If your phone is nearly full of photos and apps, the installation step takes longer because the phone has to shuffle files around to make room for the update.
Battery level matters too. If your phone is below 50 percent battery, it will charge to at least 50 percent before starting the update, which adds time. Plugging in while updating speeds this up.
How to update your iPhone over Wi-Fi (the faster method)
Go to Settings, then General, then Software Update. Your phone will check for updates and show you what version is available. Tap Download and Install. Your phone will download the file — you'll see a progress percentage. Once the download finishes, tap Install Now. Your phone will restart and show the Apple logo with a progress bar. Do not unplug it or turn it off during this step.
The installation usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. Your phone may restart two or three times. Each time it restarts, you'll see the Apple logo and a progress bar. This is normal. When installation is complete, your phone will restart one final time and show your lock screen with the new iOS version number in Settings.
Keep your phone plugged in and on Wi-Fi the entire time. If you lose Wi-Fi connection during the download, your phone will pause and resume when you reconnect. If you lose connection during installation, your phone may get stuck — if the progress bar doesn't move for 15 minutes, force restart by pressing and releasing volume up, pressing and releasing volume down, then holding the side button until you see the recovery screen.
Updating through a computer (when Wi-Fi isn't reliable)
If your Wi-Fi is unreliable or very slow, you can update through a Mac or Windows computer instead. Plug your iPhone into the computer with a USB cable. On a Mac, open Finder and click your phone in the sidebar. On Windows, open iTunes. Click Check for Update. Your computer will download the update file — this is usually faster than downloading on the phone because your computer's internet connection is often more stable.
Once the download finishes, click Update. Your phone will restart and show the Apple logo. The installation takes 10 to 15 minutes. Do not unplug the phone during this time. When it's done, your phone will restart and you can unplug it.
Updating through a computer takes about the same total time as updating over Wi-Fi, but the download step is often faster because your computer has a more stable connection. The tradeoff is that you have to be near a computer.
What to do if an update gets stuck
If your phone is stuck on the Apple logo for more than 15 minutes, or if the progress bar stops moving, force restart it. Press and release the volume up button. Press and release the volume down button. Then hold the side button (the power button) until you see the recovery screen — this takes about 10 seconds. You'll see options to restore or update. Tap Update. Your phone will try the update again from where it left off.
If the update fails again, try updating through a computer instead. Computer updates are more reliable because the connection is more stable. If you're still stuck, plug your phone into a computer, open Finder or iTunes, and choose Restore. This will erase your phone and install the latest iOS version from scratch. You can restore your data from a backup afterward.
Updates rarely fail completely, but they fail more often on weak Wi-Fi, old phones with very little storage space, or phones with a low battery. Plugging in, connecting to strong Wi-Fi, and freeing up storage space (by deleting old photos or videos) prevents most problems.
How to speed up an iPhone update
Close all apps before you start. Go to Settings, General, Software Update, and tap Download and Install. Your phone will close everything and focus on the update. Having other apps open doesn't stop the update, but it slows down the installation step.
Plug your phone into power. Even if your battery is full, plugging in ensures your phone won't shut down if the battery drains during the long installation step. Use the original Apple charger or a certified third-party charger — cheap chargers sometimes cut power unexpectedly.
Move closer to your Wi-Fi router if the signal is weak. A weak signal makes the download step much slower. If you're far from the router, move to the same room. If your Wi-Fi is consistently slow, update through a computer on a wired ethernet connection instead — this is the fastest method.
Delete old photos, videos, or apps to free up storage space. Go to Settings, General, iPhone Storage. If you're using more than 90 percent of your storage, the installation step will be slow. Delete things you don't need, or back up photos to iCloud and delete them from your phone.
Typical update times by iPhone model and connection
| iPhone Model | Fast Wi-Fi (100+ Mbps) | Slow Wi-Fi (10-30 Mbps) | Computer (Wired) |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 14 or newer | 15–20 minutes | 30–40 minutes | 12–18 minutes |
| iPhone 12–13 | 18–25 minutes | 35–50 minutes | 15–20 minutes |
| iPhone 11 or older | 25–35 minutes | 45–60 minutes | 20–30 minutes |
These times are for a major iOS update. Minor updates (point releases like 17.2.1) are usually 5 to 10 minutes faster because the file is smaller. Times also vary based on how full your phone is and how many background processes are running.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my iPhone while it's updating?
No. Once you tap Install Now, your phone will restart and you won't be able to use it until the update is complete. The entire process takes 15 to 60 minutes depending on your connection and phone model. Plan to leave your phone alone during this time.
What happens if I unplug my iPhone during an update?
If you unplug during the download step, the download pauses and resumes when you plug back in. If you unplug during installation (after the first restart), your phone may get stuck and you'll need to force restart it and try again. Always keep your phone plugged in until you see your lock screen.
Why is my iPhone update taking longer than an hour?
Your Wi-Fi connection is probably very slow or unstable. Move closer to your router or restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If that doesn't help, try updating through a computer instead. You can also wait until you're somewhere with faster Wi-Fi, like a coffee shop or library.
Do I need Wi-Fi to update my iPhone?
Yes, you need either Wi-Fi or a computer with an internet connection. You cannot update over cellular data. If you don't have Wi-Fi at home, you can update at a friend's house, a coffee shop, or an Apple Store.
Will updating delete my photos and apps?
No. A normal update keeps all your photos, apps, messages, and settings. Your phone will look and work exactly the same after the update, just with a newer iOS version. The only way an update deletes your data is if something goes wrong and you have to restore your phone from scratch, which is rare.