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This article will show you how to Download iOS Updates Over the Air. For a long time, Apple didn’t let you download big iOS changes over cellular data. With 5G, that will no longer be the case. For iOS updates to be downloaded over cellular/mobile internet, those with an iPhone 14 or higher need an active 5G plan.
Over-the-air (OTA) updates let you download and install new iOS software updates straight on your iPad, iPhone, or Mac touch when they become available. These work by getting only the files that are different. This is called a “delta update,” and it means that the file size is smaller than when updating with iTunes or with general IPSW downloads. This makes the installation process faster.
With over-the-air changes, you don’t have to connect your iOS device to a computer when you want to upgrade the software. Before updating the software on your iOS device, you should always make a backup. If you want to update your iOS device using cellular data, make sure you have a good cellular connection. If you don’t, you might have to pay for the data that the update uses.
How to Download iOS Updates Over the Air
This is the easiest way to update iOS because everything happens over the air and uses WiFi. Follow the steps below to get going. If you want to know more information about this Visit Official Apple Support site.
- Tap on the Settings app on your home screen. It’s an icon that looks like a cogwheel.
- Scroll down a little and you will see an option called General. Tap on it to open.
- In the list of available options, select Software Update. If there is a software update available, it will appear here.
- Once you see a software update, like the one below, tap on Download and Install.
- As soon as the download is complete, you will see a prompt asking you to install the update. Take action which you think is necessary for the time being. You can delay the update if you so wish.
How to Download iOS Updates Using iTunes
Even though this process is a bit more difficult, we will still talk about it. Why? Because if you aren’t near WiFi, you can’t get iOS changes over the air.
- Connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer using the above mentioned USB cables.
- Now launch iTunes.
- You will see your device pop up at the upper left hand corner of iTunes. Click on it to view more options.
- Over here you should see two options at the top – Check for Update and Restore iPhone. Click on Check for Update to see if there are available updates. If there are, simply download and install them.
FAQs
Before, users had to use a USB cord to connect the device to a computer and use iTunes to update the OS. With over-the-air updates, Apple can send fixes in zip files that aren’t encrypted. OTA updates make it easy for companies to update IoT devices from a distance.
An over-the-air (OTA) update won’t work if your device doesn’t have enough storage room. The software update takes up a lot of space on your device and may not finish if there isn’t enough room. In this situation, the best thing to do would be to delete or move some of the apps or files on your device.