By Michael | Last Updated
Q: "As a new fan of Apple, I was looking forward to the just released iOS 18.1 and couldn't wait to download it. However, my iPhone 15 says an error occurred installing iOS 18, why does it fail to install?"
There are quite a few Apple fans who are always looking forward to new iOS updates, especially important ones like iOS 18. However, updating to iOS 18 didn't go as smooth as you expected? No need to get frustrated. This article will take you through the possible reasons why you unable to install update iOS 18 and provide fixes to resolve the issue.
Typically, the entire process of upgrading to iOS(OTA) takes about 30 minutes to an hour from the start of the download to completing the update, and sometimes it can be longer. Has your iPhone update failed? Check for some of the following common update errors:
1. Takes too long to download.
2. Stuck on preparing update.
3. Unable to verify update.
4. Unable to install update.
5. Unable to check for update iOS 18.
Why did your iPhone say "Unable to install update an error occurred installing iOS 18"? Or you iPhone has other update errors. Here are the possible causes:
1. Apple server failure. When Apple's servers are overloaded, users may experience delays or failures in installing iOS updates.
2. Network problems. Stable and fast internet is crucial for downloading and installing iOS updates.
3. Insufficient storage space. Your device needs enough free space to accommodate new update software files.
4. The latest iOS software is not compatible with your iPhone.
5. Other temporary software glitches.
Apart from OTA, there are various options to update to iOS 18, one of the most effective and popular methods is to use iSunshare iOS Repair Genius. This is a versatile tool dedicated to upgrade/downgrade iOS, fix common iOS glitches and iTunes errors, which is easy to operate even for those who are not tech-savvy.
Step 1: Download and install iOS Repair Genius on your Windows or Mac computer.
Next connect your iPhone to your computer and make sure it is detected.
Step 2: Run the software, click on the "iOS Upgrade/Downgrade" option and then select "Upgrade iOS".
Step 3: After loading your iPhone information, the software will prepare the matching iOS firmware package for it.
Select "iOS 18" and click "Download" button to get it.
Step 4: Finally, click "Start" to confirm the installation of iOS 18 on your device, the whole process will take about 5-10 minutes, wait patiently for the "iPhone Upgrade Successfully" prompt.
Due to the instability of the some iOS version, if your device encounters systematic errors after updating to the latest iOS software, such as iPhone so slow, shutting off randomly, stuck on Apple logo, etc., you can click on the "System Repair" option in the software to repair the system.
Tip: Besides iSunshare iOS Repair Genius, you can also try other iOS update methods, such as iTunes, Finder, or get the iOS 18 configuration file directly from trusted websites.
If you don't want to use third-party software to complete the iOS 18 installation and update process, here are some helpful tips to fix "Unable to Install Update iOS 18".
As mentioned earlier, the time it takes for an iOS update is usually half an hour or an hour, and sometimes it can be longer, depending on the state of Apple's servers and the speed of your internet.
After a new iOS beta has just been released, Apple's servers may be overloaded with a large number of users downloading at the same time, and it will automatically balance itself out after the initial spike. You can wait for a few hours to pass before trying to install the update again, and maybe you can fix the problem without doing anything else.
It's important to check if the problem lies on Apple's servers before doing more complex troubleshooting.
Go to Apple system status page and then check for any warnings or issues with services related to iOS software installation such as iCloud, Apple ID account sign-in and software updates. If there are errors, wait for Apple to resolve them before trying to install iOS 18.
If your network is unstable or slow, it may cause the iOS installation on your iPhone to fail. Here are some ways to improve your network stability.
1. Make sure you have a stable cellular or WiFi network connection with a strong signal. You can use a speed test tool to verify that your internet speed is sufficient to download the update.
2. Unplug your router, wait about half a minute, and then plug it back in to reboot.
3. Reset your network settings.
The file package for iOS 18 is around 7.90 GB and if your iPhone doesn't have enough free space to store it, the update will fail.
You can check how much free space you have on your device by going to "Settings" > "General" > "iPhone Storage". If the free storage is less than 8 GB, it is recommended to delete unnecessary files or Apps to free up memory before proceeding with the update.
Or you can also backup your iPhone data to external hard drive.
Sometimes there are temporary software glitches in background processes that can interfere with the update process, and restarting the device can easily clear these minor issues. After restarting the iPhone, the system refreshes to provide a fresh start for the iOS installation.
If there is a conflict between one of the iPhone's settings and a software update, then it may cause the iPhone to fail to update to iOS 18.1 or any other system. The error like that cannot be resolved by rebooting the device, which requires resetting all settings.
Step 1: Open the "Settings" app and go to "General" > "Reset" page.
Step 2: Select the "Reset All Settings" option, which will only restore all personalized settings back to default and will not delete your data.
Step 3: Enter your passcode (if required) and confirm the reset, your iPhone will restart during the process. after that, you can try downloading and installing iOS 18 software again.
Network outages or other factors may have corrupted the iOS system files while downloading the update file. Maybe removing the old iOS 18 update software and downloading a new one can fix the "Unable to install update iOS 18" error.
Updating iPhone to the latest system is a simple task, but sometimes there may be some errors in the process that prevent you from installing iOS 18 software. This article shares several solutions to the "unable to install update iOS 18" issue, which are based on users' experience, and we believe that you will soon be able to enjoy the new features added by Apple in iOS 18.
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