iPhone updates are usually met with great fanfare, bringing with them new and exciting features.
Many people look forward to updating their smartphones to run the latest version of the operating system and discover what new functions their devices have acquired.
However, it’s quite common to hear complaints such as, “why do iPhone updates take so long?”
Luckily for you, we’ve unraveled the exact reasons why in the article below!
Apple rolls out new updates pretty frequently to keep your smartphones functioning optimally.
Downloading these updates may take longer than expected because Apple has a unique cellular standard for all its devices.
Therefore, the process for updating an iPhone can involve complex processes.
Apple tries its best to keep the updating process smooth, but the company never compromises its standards by cutting corners.
In the end, it is best to be patient to ensure that you have a perfectly working device rather than receive a defective update that’s riddled with bugs and glitches!
How Long Do iPhone Updates Usually Take?
It may seem like it takes forever to download and install an iPhone update, but it is usually worth the wait.
On average, you may need to wait for up to an hour to complete the upgrade process, depending on the phone model and the last time you’ve updated your device.
In some instances, you may witness a faster download rate if your internet speed is high.
The truth is that iOS updates are incredibly complex.
Many different factors are at play when dealing with the software on a device like the iPhone. It makes updating your phone’s operating system a lot more complicated than simply downloading an app or updating a computer’s system.
Some people criticize the brand because of the long time it takes to update the OS.
However, experts assert that it’s not as simple as getting the code from Apple, installing it on your iPhone, and then seeing the update appear.
The update process is a little more involved than that.
Apple partners with various network carriers to test new versions of iOS before rolling them out to the public.
The testing involves compatibility tests with in-house hardware and software and extends to third-party apps built by companies other than Apple.
In many instances, these tests reveal bugs in the system, which can lead to delays in software releases. The programs used to resolve such issues increase the download requirements, consequently prolonging the software download process.
It should be noted that the iPhone’s update process has always been quite long since the very first generation of iPhones.
Overall, an iPhone software update for a new phone can be estimated to be around 30 minutes (sometimes as little as 15 minutes).
However, for an iPhone which has not been updated in a while, it can be anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour for a complete installation.
Why Is My iPhone Update Taking So Long?
The duration of the update process for your phone depends on several factors.
For example, if you have not updated your software for a long time, getting your phone on the latest software version may take a bit longer as the update files will be relatively larger.
The main point is that Apple wants to avoid future problems with these updates to maintain its reputation as a premium brand.
Therefore, the process of testing and retesting takes months before they release a new update to the public.
Apple’s system updates are also very large because they typically include new features. They also need to test apps that are compatible with the latest features thoroughly.
For this reason, iPhone updates take a longer time to update compared to the Android updates, which are smaller in size.
Here are some additional reasons why your iPhone updates are taking so long to install:
Inadequate Storage Space
One reason might be that old software is taking up an excessive amount of space on your phone.
If old software takes up too much storage, the installation of a new update will correspondingly take longer. This is because the phone has to delete the old OS to make room for the new version.
Ideally, an iPhone should have at least 8GB of free storage space to perform a software update. If you have less space than that, one way to speed up the process is to delete apps or photos from your device.
Too Many Third-party Apps Installed
Another reason may be that you have too many apps on your phone that you did not download from Apple’s App Store.
This will cause the updating process to take longer because it needs to delete third-party apps.
When an iPhone update downloads, it’s added to a queue, and updates follow that internal order.
If you have a lot of apps and other data on your device, the overall size of the download will be larger than if it were a new phone.
Update Files Stored On Remote Servers
Perhaps the biggest reason for slow updates is that Apple does not directly host any of its software data.
Instead, iPhones download the files from Apple’s servers onto your computer first and then your phone. If you’re using a computer with limited bandwidth or low on memory, it could also slow down the process.
Elaborate Measures Implemented To Prevent Bugs
The reason for a long update time also lies in the fact that Apple wants to make sure their updates are as bug-free as possible before rolling them out for everyone.
If there was a significant issue with one of these updates, it could cause serious issues for many people, so testing is critical.
How Can I Speed Up My iPhone Update?
Like clockwork, Apple releases a new iPhone and iOS update each fall.
And every year, iPhone users rush to download the latest iOS update as soon as they release the newest version.
However, trying to install a new version of iOS on an iPhone requires patience and time.
Nevertheless, you will find that it is worth your time because there are many new features to explore with every update.
The iPhones have custom firmware and hardware that makes them closer to a computer than a regular smartphone.
It means that updating everything from the operating system to the apps to the underlying code takes a lot longer than updates for other smartphones.
Here’s what you can do to speed up iPhone updates:
Install Updates Over Wi-Fi
If you want to prevent network interruptions while updating your iPhone, make plans to download updates over Wi-Fi instead of using cellular data.
You’ll get a notification when updates are available for your device.
Tap “Install Now” if you want to install immediately, or choose the option to install later.
Keep Your iPhone Battery Charged
If you want to speed up an update, make sure you have charged your device fully before starting the installation process.
To add to that, it may be an even better idea to plug it into a power source while downloading the update via Wi-Fi!
Delete Unnecessary Files and Apps
Many people don’t realize this, but large files or unused apps take up storage space on your device.
Deleting them can free up space for your phone to install updates faster.
Update Via iTunes
If you can’t update your iPhone faster over a WiFi network, connect it to iTunes via your computer.
This will prompt iTunes to download the update. Once it downloads, leave the iPhone connected until it updates.
Note: When you’re ready to update your iPhone, put it in Airplane mode. Then, connect your phone to the iTunes app on your computer.
In Conclusion
Overall, updating your phone requires only a tap on the screen to authorize the process, but it does take some time to fully run its course.
How quickly you can complete the process depends upon the age and state of your device.
It may also depend upon the conditions of your other phone apps and settings, which we have discussed above.
There’s no way to predict exactly how long an iOS 15 update will take. However, it’s pretty clear that Apple needs to explore ways to improve the process.
The truth is that most app updates take quite a long time. Some apps may require multiple updates lasting over an hour.
At the same time, updating on newer phones may only take a few minutes.
The reasons for this can be varied and even beyond our control; however, Apple is a very innovative brand.
So, hopefully, the issue related to slow updates may become a thing of the past in the coming years!
For now, we suggest you wait as patiently as possible to update your devices whenever the company releases new software versions and reap the rewards afterward!
Apple has been the dominant pioneer of the mobile tech world for the past two decades. Learn more about what makes their iPhone an icon, not just in the present day but for the ages to come as well!
