Once a year, Apple announces a completely new version of iOS, the operating system that runs on all iPhones. These full-version updates bring new features, tweaks to the interface and important security patches – and best of all, they’re free.
The newest version is iOS 15, and it becomes available to download and install later today (20 September 2021). In this article we explain how you can install iOS 15 on your iPhone, and help to guide you through any problems you might encounter.
When will iOS 15 become available?
In the UK, iOS 15 should become available to download around 6pm BST tonight (20 September 2021).
In the US we expect iOS 15 to launch around 10am PDT and 1am EDT.
What do I need?
You’ll be installing the iOS 15 update from Apple’s servers, so you’ll want a reliable web connection. Other than that you just need an iOS 15-compatible iPhone, and access to mains power (you should 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 sufficiently powerful to run the latest software.
If you’ve got iPhone 6s or later, however (including the iPhone 7, 8, X, 11, 12 and 13 series, plus the iPhone SE from 2020), you should be fine to install iOS 15. For a complete list, read Which iPhones can get iOS 15?
Preparing the iPhone for iOS 15
A few things to tick off before grabbing the update:
- Back up your iPhone in case something goes wrong.
- Clear some space on your iPhone. The iOS update is likely to take up a fair amount of space during installation – and it’s worth making a bit of room anyway.
- Plug into a power supply.
- Make sure you’re downloading over Wi-Fi, not 3G or 4G, or you may run out of data. Also, check it’s a safe network. (We don’t recommend installing an iOS update over hotel Wi-Fi, for instance.)
Okay. We’re ready to install iOS 15!
How to install iOS 15
Open the Settings app: tap the grey app icon with the cogs if you can see it, or go to search (by swiping down from any home screen) and type in Settings.
Go to General > Software Update and wait while iOS checks for new updates. If iOS 15 is ready for you to grab – and bear in mind that the rollout is often delayed a little past when we expect it, and may appear in some territories later than others – you’ll be told about it here. (If there isn’t a new version of iOS available for download, you’ll see the message ‘Your software is up to date.’)
You can read about the update by tapping Learn More, or jump in and tap Download And Install at the bottom of the screen.
Enter your passcode and agree to the terms & conditions if and when required. Your device will download the update in the background, and you can carry on with other things while this happens. Once the download has finished you will receive a notification on your iPhone.
Go back into Settings and tap Install Now, and wait for the process to complete.
We cover 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 problems you may encounter when updating your iPhone, and our suggestions of fixes:
Why isn’t iOS 15 available yet?
As mentioned above, iOS roll-outs are not predictable. Give it an hour or two and try again later.
iOS 15 is taking a long time to install
This is common, especially if you install the update on the day it comes out, when Apple’s servers are always extremely busy. Take the time estimates given in the interface with a pinch of salt.
iOS 15 isn’t installing at all
Check your iPhone is compatible, that you’re on Wi-Fi rather than cellular, and that your iPhone is plugged into mains power.
If the problem persists, read What to do if you can’t update your iPhone.
