What to do if iOS Not Automatically Updating? 5 Fixes that you can try

If you’re anything like me, your phone is the central hub of family life. It holds the school calendar, the grocery list, the photos I swear I’ll print one day, and a million passwords. The last thing I have time for is manually managing software updates. So, when I realized my iPhone hadn’t automatically updated to the latest iOS version—despite me being sure I had the setting turned on—I felt a familiar wave of mom-annoyance. Sound familiar?

You’re not alone! This is a common headache, but the good news is that it’s usually a simple fix. After some digging (and a strong cup of coffee), I found the most common culprits and their solutions. Let’s walk through them together.

First, a Quick Reality Check

Before we dive in, it’s important to know what “automatic updates” actually means in the iOS world. It doesn’t mean your phone will update the second a new version drops. Apple is pretty cautious about this. Typically, your iPhone will wait to install an update overnight when it’s plugged into power, connected to Wi-Fi, and locked. So, if you’re someone who charges their phone sporadically or rarely has it plugged in overnight, this might be the simple explanation.

If that’s not the case, let’s start troubleshooting.

Fix #1: The Obvious (But Often Overlooked) Trio

Think of this as the “is it plugged in?” for the digital age. Automatic updates require three things to happen simultaneously. Let’s double-check each one.

1. Stable Wi-Fi Connection: Your iPhone will not download or install an update over your cellular data plan. Make sure you’re connected to a reliable Wi-Fi network. A quick tip from one multi-tasker to another: try forgetting the network and reconnecting, or restarting your router. Sometimes a simple refresh is all it needs.

2. Adequate Power Source: This is the one that always trips me up. The phone must be plugged into a power source—not just have a high battery percentage. That charger cable you keep by the couch? Make it a habit to plug in overnight. The update process is designed to happen while you sleep, so it doesn’t interrupt your day.

3. Ample Storage Space: This is a big one, especially with all the photos and videos of the kids I have! iOS updates need several gigabytes of free space to download and install. If your storage is nearly full, the update can’t proceed.

   • How to Check: Go to Settings > General > [iPhone] Storage. At the top, you’ll see a bar graph of your storage. If you’re critically low (think, less than 1-2GB free), you’ll need to do some spring cleaning. My go-to move is offloading videos to my computer or cloud storage.

Fix #2: Double-Check That the Setting is Actually On

It’s possible the setting got turned off during a previous update, or maybe a well-meaning (but tech-tinkering) child played with your phone. Let’s make sure it’s still enabled.

• The Path: Go to Settings > General > Software Update.

• Then Tap: Automatic Updates.

• Verify Both Are On: You should see two toggles:

  • Download iOS Updates: This should be ON to allow the update to download in the background.

  • Install iOS Updates: This should be ON to allow the installation to happen automatically overnight.

It seems silly, but it takes 10 seconds to verify and can save you a lot of future hassle.

Fix #3: The Classic “Turn It Off and On Again”

I know, I know. You’ve heard it a million times. But as a mom who has fixed countless frozen tablets and glitchy baby monitors, I can attest to the power of a simple restart. It clears out temporary software glitches that can prevent the update process from starting.

• How to Restart (For most iPhones): Press and hold the side button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider, wait 30 seconds, then press the side button again to turn it back on.

Give it a few minutes after restarting, then check for the update again in Settings > General > Software Update.

Fix #4: A Deeper Network Reset

If your Wi-Fi is being finicky, it might be enough to browse the web but not stable enough to handle a large download like an iOS update. Resetting your network settings can often clear this up.

• A Important Warning: This will erase all your saved Wi-Fi passwords, so you’ll have to log back into your home and other networks. But it’s a very effective trick!

• How to Do It: Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

Your phone will restart. Once it’s back on, reconnect to your home Wi-Fi and see if the update process kicks in.

Fix #5: The Manual Nudge (The “Do It Yourself” Method)

Sometimes, the automatic system just needs a little push. If you’ve tried all the above and you’re still waiting, it’s time to take matters into your own hands.

1. Plug your phone into power and connect to Wi-Fi.

2. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.

3. Your phone will check for updates. If one is available, you’ll see an option to Download and Install.

4. Tap it and follow the prompts. You can choose to install it immediately or let it download and remind you to install later.

Doing it manually this one time doesn’t mean automatic updates are broken forever. Often, after a manual update, the automatic feature will work perfectly fine for the next one.

Your Phone, Your Schedule

As busy parents, we need our technology to work for us, not create more items on our to-do list. I hope one of these five fixes gets your iPhone back on track and updating automatically, saving you one more tiny bit of mental energy. Now, if only there was an “automatic laundry-folding” update for my actual house…

Did one of these solutions work for you? Or do you have another tech tip that saved the day? Share it with me in the comments below! Let’s help each other out.

xoxo,
Jessica