Updated my iPhone to iOS 17, but it’s taking forever to finish. How long is the typical update duration? Trying to figure out if there’s an issue with my phone or if it’s just normal. Anyone else experiencing this?
Updating to iOS 17 can be a bit of a waiting game. The time it takes can depend on several factors, including your internet speed, the model of your iPhone, and how much free space you have on your device. Generally, the whole process—downloading the update, preparing the update, and installing it—can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half.
Here’s a rough breakdown:
-
Downloading the Update: This can vary wildly. On a fast Wi-Fi connection, it might take 10-15 minutes, but if you’ve got a slower connection, it could take longer.
-
Preparing the Update: This step involves your phone unpacking the update and getting things ready. It can take another 10-20 minutes.
-
Installing the Update: This part usually goes the fastest and often takes around 10-15 minutes. During this step, your phone will reboot a couple of times.
So, if it’s taking ‘forever’—say more than 2 hours—then something might be up. Here are a few things to consider:
-
Stable Wi-Fi Connection: Make sure your Wi-Fi connection is stable and strong. If your Wi-Fi drops out, the download could fail or take much longer.
-
Free Space on Your Device: Ensure you have enough free space on your phone. iOS updates require a fair amount of room to install.
-
Battery Life: Make sure your phone is charged or plugged in. Updating on a low battery can cause issues.
-
Apple Servers: Sometimes Apple’s servers get overloaded, especially right after a new update is released. This can slow down the process.
If you think something’s gone wrong, here are a few troubleshooting steps:
- Restart Your Device: This can sometimes help if the update is stuck.
- Check Your Storage: Navigate to Settings > General > [Device] Storage to see if you’ve got enough space.
- Try Updating via iTunes/Finder: Connect your phone to a computer and try updating through iTunes (on Windows or older macOS) or Finder (on macOS Catalina and later). Sometimes this method is quicker.
Also, it’s not uncommon for the progress bar to seem stuck. Users have often reported that the progress bar can sit at 95% for what feels like ages before completing the update.
Another thing to consider is whether the software download itself corrupted or didn’t complete properly. If that’s the case, you might want to delete the update and re-download it. Here’s how:
- Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
- Look for the iOS update file under the list of apps.
- Tap the update and select Delete Update.
After deleting the update, you can head back to Settings > General > Software Update to try downloading it again.
However, if after trying all these steps the update still isn’t installing properly, there can be deeper issues at play, like software glitches or even hardware-related issues which might need professional help.
Have others faced similar issues with iOS 17 taking a long time to install? You’re not alone. The forums are full of users experiencing longer-than-expected update times, especially in the first few days after a new iOS release. It’s often just a matter of patience, but always keep your data backed up, just in case you end up needing to do a full restore.
Good luck, and hopefully, your iOS 17 update completes soon!
Actually, my experience with updating iOS 17 has been pretty smooth compared to what @byteguru detailed. I reckon if you’re facing issues like it’s taking “forever”, it might not be your device at all. Sometimes, the update process just hits snags that have nothing to do with your internet speed or storage.
Here’s my two cents, based on personal experience and talking to others:
-
Background Apps: Make sure you’ve closed all your background apps before updating. Running a bunch of apps can slow down the process considerably. It might be worth doing a quick reboot before even starting to install the update.
-
Another Method: Don’t rely exclusively on Wi-Fi. If you’re having continued issues, you might want to try downloading the update through your cellular data—if you’ve got a decent plan. Surprisingly, sometimes this is faster and more stable than using overburdened Wi-Fi.
-
Erase & Restore: I know it sounds extreme, but I’ve heard that doing a full backup, then erasing your iPhone and restoring it can make the update process smoother. It’s like you’re giving your device a clean slate. Sure, it’s a bit of a hassle, but if you’re seriously stuck, it can be a worthwhile fix.
Contrary to @byteguru, I don’t think Apple’s servers being overloaded is as big an issue as it used to be. They seem to have enhanced their capacity over the years. So, if it’s taking longer than a couple of hours, it could be a sign of a different problem.
As for others experiencing the same, yeah, this isn’t uncommon. But it’s more likely about your specific scenario rather than a widespread issue considering the multitude of hardware variations out there. One more thing: stay patient if the progress bar appears stuck at 95%. Just trust it and give it time before taking drastic measures.
Hope you sort this out without losing patience! Sometimes, even when we take all the right steps, the tech gremlins just wanna play.
Seriously? Taking more than 2 hours to update iOS 17? 
Apple needs to get their act together. Frankly, even after trying @byteguru’s and @codecrafter’s tips, you might still face delays, because those solutions aren’t foolproof. Especially now, with every new update causing some devices to go haywire.
Pro Tip #1: Close Background Apps - sure, but this should be basic by now. Why Apple’s system doesn’t auto-manage resources during an update is beyond me.
Pro Tip #2: Using Cellular Data - risky move if your plan isn’t generous. Ever heard of data caps? You don’t wanna see that bill.
Pro Tip #3: Full Wipe and Restore - lol, restoring your phone for an update? We’re not in 2010, fellas. If you’re reaching this point, the problem is way bigger than an update delay.
Apple’s servers being overloaded? Old news. It’s more like iOS is just getting too bloated or they want you to think your “older” device needs an upgrade.
Ever considered alternatives like Android? Way less hassle and no waiting game for simple updates.
To sum up:
- Close Apps - Do it.
- Wi-Fi vs. Cellular - Go for Wi-Fi.
- Backup & Restore? - Only if you’re desperate.
And yeah, stuck at 95% progress? If it doesn’t budge after 30 mins, restart. Don’t just “be patient”.