How to Update Your iPhone Using a Windows PC

You can update your iPhone from a Windows PC using iTunes or the Finder app, depending on your Windows version

To update your iPhone from a PC, you connect it with a USB cable and let iTunes (on Windows 10 and earlier) or the Finder app (on Windows 11) detect the device. The software then checks Apple's servers for the latest iOS version and walks you through installing it. The whole process takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on the update size and your internet speed. Your iPhone will restart several times during the update — this is normal and you should not unplug it.

Before you start, make sure your iPhone has at least 50% battery, your PC is plugged in, and you are connected to a stable Wi-Fi network. Unstable connections or interrupted power during an update can leave your iPhone stuck in recovery mode, which requires more troubleshooting to fix.

Key Takeaways

Connect your iPhone to your PC with a USB cable; iTunes or Finder will automatically detect it and show available updates.
Your iPhone battery should be at least 50% charged, and your PC should stay plugged in throughout the entire update process.
The update downloads to your PC first, then installs on your iPhone — do not unplug the cable or close the app while this happens.
If your iPhone gets stuck during the update, you may need to force restart it or use recovery mode, which requires the same cable connection.

Update your iPhone on Windows 10 using iTunes

Open iTunes on your Windows 10 PC. If you do not have it installed, read it from the Microsoft Store or from Apple's website. Plug your iPhone into your PC with a USB cable — use the original Apple cable or a certified third-party cable, as cheap knockoffs sometimes fail mid-update.

When iTunes opens, your iPhone should appear in the top-left corner of the window. Click on the iPhone icon. In the left sidebar, click Summary. You will see a section labeled "iPhone Software" with a button that says Check for Update. Click it. iTunes will connect to Apple's servers and tell you whether a new version is available.

If an update is available, click read and Update. iTunes will read the update file to your PC first — this can take 5 to 15 minutes depending on file size and internet speed. Once the read finishes, iTunes will ask you to agree to the terms. Read them or skip to the end and click Agree. iTunes will then install the update on your iPhone. Your phone will restart multiple times. Leave it plugged in and do not touch it until you see the home screen and iTunes shows "Update successful."

Update your iPhone on Windows 11 using the Finder app

Windows 11 replaced iTunes with the Finder app for managing iPhones. Plug your iPhone into your PC with a USB cable. Open the Finder app — it is the folder icon in your taskbar or you can search for "Finder" in the Start menu. Your iPhone should appear in the left sidebar under "Locations."

Click your iPhone in the sidebar. The main window will show your device information. Look for a section labeled General at the top of the window. Under that section, you will see a button that says Check for Update. Click it. The Finder will connect to Apple and check whether a new iOS version exists for your phone.

If an update is available, click read and Update. The Finder will read the update file — this takes 5 to 15 minutes. Once the read completes, the Finder will ask you to agree to Apple's terms. Click Agree. Your iPhone will restart several times while the update installs. Keep it plugged in and do not interrupt the process. When the home screen appears and the Finder shows "Update successful," the process is complete.

What to do if your iPhone gets stuck during the update

If your iPhone freezes on the Apple logo, shows a progress bar that does not move for more than 30 minutes, or displays an error message, do not unplug it when ready. First, try a force restart: press and quickly release the Volume Up button, then press and quickly release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side button (or Top button on older models) until you see the "slide to power off" screen or the Apple logo appears. This can sometimes unstick a frozen update.

If the force restart does not work, your iPhone may have entered recovery mode. Keep it plugged into your PC. In iTunes (Windows 10) or Finder (Windows 11), click your iPhone and look for a message saying "iPhone in recovery mode." Click Restore. This will erase your iPhone and reinstall iOS from scratch — it takes 20 to 45 minutes. After the restore completes, you can set up your iPhone again using your Apple ID and restore your data from a backup if you have one.

Prepare your iPhone before updating

Charge your iPhone to at least 50% before you start. Updates require a lot of power, and if your battery dies mid-update, your phone can get stuck in a state that requires recovery mode to fix. Plug your PC into power as well — do not run the update on battery power.

Back up your iPhone before updating, even though updates rarely cause data loss. In iTunes (Windows 10), click your iPhone, then click Summary, then click Back Up Now under the "Backups" section. In Finder (Windows 11), click your iPhone in the sidebar, then click General, then click Back Up Now. A backup takes 5 to 10 minutes and saves your photos, messages, settings, and apps so you can restore them if something goes wrong.

Make sure you have a stable internet connection. If your Wi-Fi drops during the read, iTunes or Finder will pause and try to resume, but a wired connection is more reliable. If you are on a metered connection or have a data cap, the update file can be 1 to 5 GB depending on the iOS version, so plan accordingly.

Troubleshoot common update errors

If iTunes or Finder shows an error code like 14, 27, or 4013, it usually means the USB cable is loose or the cable itself is damaged. Unplug the cable, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in firmly into both the iPhone and the PC. Try the update again. If the error persists, try a different USB cable or a different USB port on your PC.

If you see an error about not being able to connect to Apple's servers, check that your PC has internet access and that you are not behind a firewall that blocks Apple's update servers. Restart your PC and try again. If the error continues, wait a few hours — Apple's servers occasionally go down for maintenance.

If iTunes or Finder says your iPhone is not compatible with the update, your phone may be too old to run the latest iOS version. Check Apple's website to see which iPhone models support the current iOS version. If your model is not listed, you have reached the end of updates for that device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I update my iPhone without a PC?

Yes. Go to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone and tap read and Install. Your phone will update over Wi-Fi without needing a computer. Updating from a PC is useful if your iPhone is stuck, if you want to keep using your computer while the update happens, or if your Wi-Fi is unreliable.

How long does an iPhone update take?

The read takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on file size and internet speed. The installation takes another 10 to 30 minutes. Your iPhone will restart 2 to 4 times during installation. Total time is usually 15 to 45 minutes, but larger updates or slower connections can take longer.

Will updating my iPhone erase my data?

No. A normal update keeps all your photos, messages, apps, and settings. Only a restore (which you do through recovery mode after a failed update) erases your data. That is why backing up before you update is a good idea — if something goes wrong and you need to restore, you can get your data back.

What if my PC does not recognize my iPhone?

Try a different USB cable first — cheap cables often fail. If that does not work, restart both your PC and your iPhone. Make sure iTunes (Windows 10) or Finder (Windows 11) is fully updated. On your iPhone, tap Trust when prompted to trust the computer. If your PC still does not see the phone, you may need to install or update Apple's device drivers from the Microsoft Store.

Can I use a Mac instead of a PC?

Yes, but the process is slightly different. On a Mac, you use the Finder app (not iTunes) and the steps are similar to Windows 11. This guide covers Windows PCs only — see Apple's support site for Mac instructions.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.