Are you going to update your iPhone? Do you want to know how long do iOS updates take? We present to you a complete guide showing you how long do iOS updates take; Why do iOS updates take a long time to complete? And ways to complete your iOS updates quickly.
Apple has developed the mobile operating system iOS for all Apple devices. Launched in June 2007, it has been releasing new and updated versions ever since. Apple users eagerly await the new iOS updates as every update comes with new enhanced features that are welcomed by all users.
iOS 16, the latest iOS updates was announced by Apple in June 2022. This is packed with various new updates including Focus schedules, recovered deleted messages, customized lock screen and many more, which has all the users very excited. However, they seemed to be concerned about how long do iOS updates take?
· iOS 16 takes 15-40 minutes to update.
· iOS 15 takes 10-40 minutes to update.
· iOS 14 takes 15-40 minutes to update.
If you consider the time taken to sync your device, make a backup of your storage and transfer files to make space in your device, the time taken to do iOS updates in your device will take over an hour.
How Long Do iOS Updates Take?
Do you want to upgrade your iOS to the latest version? Then you must be wondering how long do iOS updates take. You must understand that it is not simple to answer this question. The time taken to do iOS updates, differ depending upon your device, service provider and many other factors.
Usually, iOS updates take not more than 30 minutes, considering that you have good network connections and enough storage space in your device. Let us see how long iOS updates take, for various versions.
| iOS version | Process | Time |
| iOS 16.1.2 | Size Download Installation Set up Total | 2.8GB 5-15 minutes 10-20 minutes 1-15 minutes 15-40 minutes |
| iOS 15.0.2 | Size Download Installation Set Up Total | 1.4GB 5-15 minutes 7-12 minutes 5-20 minutes 10-40 minutes |
| iOS 14 | Download Installation Set Up Total | 5-20 minutes 10-15 minutes 4-15 minutes 15-40 minutes |
Remember that the time taken to do iOS updates depends on various external and internal factors. On an average, it would take you about 10 to 30 minutes to do iOS updates. If you consider the time taken to sync your device, make a backup of your storage and transfer files to make space in your device, the time taken to do iOS updates in your device will take over an hour.
If it takes you longer to do iOS updates you can check the source of your problem and make necessary changes to enhance the speed of your iOS updates.
Why Do iOS Updates Take Long?
As an Apple user you cannot avoid iOS updates. Software updates are made mainly to enhance the features or to fix a bug. You will have to frequently update your iOS to stay in pace with the technological advancements of today. When you do iOS updates, it includes everything from downloading the new software to installing it and setting it up on your device.
1. Preparation Time
iOS updates could wreak havoc to your device if not done efficiently. So, it is advised to back up all your data before you use iOS updates. This will take only a few minutes if you have enabled iCloud storage on your device. Preparation and sync could take anywhere between 10 to 30 minutes.
2. Size of the iOS Updates
Every iOS update is of different size depending on its functions. The most recent iOS 16 is one of the largest sizes, containing 2.8GB data. This will take up a lot of downloading and installation time. But, with good internet connection and free storage space, the time taken to do the iOS updates can be considerably reduced.
3. Device Storage
It is very essential that you have good storage space in your device to do successful iOS updates. Lack of necessary storage space will result in device and software malfunctions and exceedingly long time to complete the iOS updates.
4. Apple Server
Millions of Apple users from all over the world are notified of iOS updates. Apple servers might not be able to handle the traffic, when all the users try to download iOS updates all at the same time, resulting in breakdown of the servers. In this situation, we can do nothing but wait for Apple to fix the issue for us.
5. Outdated Device
Do you use an outdated device? Your device might not be able to handle the new versions of iOS updates. Newer versions of iOS updates are better suited for new devices. If you use an outdated device, all iOS updates will take hours to complete.
How To Fix iOS Updates Take Too Long?
Are you worried that your iOS updates take too long to complete? Do not worry. There are various solutions for you to solve iOS updates that take too long.
Fix 1: Check Internet Connection
Do you have a good and stable internet connection? It is very essential that your internet connection is not weak or fluctuating while making iOS updates. Check that you have a good internet connection before making iOS updates.
Settings > Wi-Fi Settings > Turn off > Turn on again.
Fix 2: Reset Network Settings
You can reset your network settings to reconnect to a steady Wi-Fi channel to make uninterrupted iOS updates. Remember that all your Cellular Network data will be reset to factory settings.
Settings > General > Reset Network Settings > Reset.
Fix 3: Check Device Storage
It is very essential that you have enough storage space in your device. Lack of sufficient storage space will result in malfunctions while iOS updates and increase the time taken to complete. To check the available storage space in your device you can,
Settings app > General > iPhone Storage > Click on Enable Offload Unused Apps
You can thus delete unused apps to clean up space on your iCloud and your device.
Fix 4: Close All Running Apps
To ensure successful iOS updates, close all background running apps to free up storage space. This will in turn tremendously reduce the time taken to complete iOS updates.
Fix 5: Update Later
Millions of Apple users from all over the world are notified of iOS updates. Apple servers might not be able to handle the traffic, when all the users try to download iOS updates all at the same time, resulting in breakdown of the servers. To avoid such situations, it is advised that you make iOS updates after a few days.
Fix 6: Force Restart
If none of the above-mentioned solutions work for you, then let us try the old text book method to fix all technical problems. Let us force restart your device. Just turn it off and turn it back on again after a while. You will notice that your issues with iOS updates are magically resolved. The force restart will end all glitches and malfunctions that cause iOS updates taking a long time.
Wrap Up
To have the best experience while using Apple devices, it is very essential that you use the latest and the most updated version of iOS. When compared to Microsoft and Android updates, iOS updates are considerably faster. However, if your iOS updates take long time to complete it could be due to various reasons as mentioned in the article. We hope that you are able to resolve your iOS updates taking a long time to complete by following the instructions given above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How Long Do iOS 16 Updates Take?
| iOS version | Process | Time |
| iOS 16.1.2 | Size Download Installation Set up Total | 2.8GB 5-15 minutes 10-20 minutes 1-15 minutes 15-40 minutes |
Q2. How Long Do iOS 15 Updates Take?
| iOS version | Process | Time |
| iOS 15.0.2 | Size Download Installation Set Up Total | 1.4GB 5-15 minutes 7-12 minutes 5-20 minutes 10-40 minutes |
Q3. How Long Do iOS 14 Updates Take?
| iOS version | Process | Time |
| iOS 14 | Download Installation Set Up Total | 5-20 minutes 10-15 minutes 4-15 minutes 15-40 minutes |
