Connect Your iPhone to Your PC and Open iTunes or Finder
To update your iPhone from a Windows PC, you need to connect the phone to your computer using a USB cable, then use either iTunes (on Windows 10 and earlier) or the Devices app (on Windows 11). The software you use depends on which version of Windows you have running.
Plug your iPhone into your PC using the original Apple USB cable or a certified third-party cable. Windows will recognize the device within a few seconds. If this is your first time connecting this iPhone to this PC, you may see a prompt on your phone asking whether to trust this computer — tap Trust to proceed.
On Windows 10 and earlier, iTunes opens automatically when you connect an iPhone. If it does not, open iTunes manually from your Start menu. On Windows 11, the Devices app handles iPhone connections instead of iTunes. Open the Devices app from your Start menu, and your iPhone should appear in the left sidebar.
Key Takeaways
- Use iTunes on Windows 10 and earlier, or the Devices app on Windows 11, to update your iPhone from a PC.
- Connect your iPhone with a USB cable and tap Trust on your phone when prompted to authorize the connection.
- The update process downloads the full software file to your PC first, then installs it on your phone — this can take 30 minutes to over an hour depending on file size and connection speed.
- Keep your iPhone plugged in and your PC powered on throughout the entire update; disconnecting mid-update can damage your phone's software.
- If an update fails or gets stuck, force restart your iPhone by pressing and releasing Volume Up, then Volume Down, then holding the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
Locate and Select Your iPhone in iTunes or Devices
Once iTunes or the Devices app is open and your iPhone is connected, look for your device in the software interface. In iTunes, your iPhone appears as a device icon in the top-left area of the window, usually showing your phone's name and a small phone symbol. Click on it to open your device summary page.
In Windows 11's Devices app, your iPhone shows in the left sidebar under "Your devices." Click on your iPhone's name to view its details and update options. You should see your phone's name, storage capacity, and current iOS version on this screen.
Check for and read the iOS Update
On the device summary page in iTunes, look for a section labeled "Version" or "Software." Next to the current iOS version number, you will see a button that says either Check for Update or Update. Click this button to check whether a newer version of iOS is available for your phone.
iTunes or Devices will connect to Apple's servers and check what version your iPhone is currently running. If a newer version exists, you will see a prompt showing the new version number and release notes describing what has changed. Click read and Update or Update to begin. Do not click Restore — that erases your phone entirely and should only be used if your phone is not working correctly.
The software file is large — typically between 2 and 6 gigabytes depending on your iPhone model and iOS version. The read time depends on your internet speed. A typical home internet connection downloads the file in 10 to 30 minutes. Once the read finishes, the installation begins automatically on your iPhone.
Keep Your iPhone Connected During the Entire Update
During the update process, your iPhone will restart several times and display an Apple logo or a progress bar. This is normal. Your phone may appear unresponsive for several minutes at a time. Do not unplug the USB cable, do not disconnect your iPhone, and do not turn off your PC. The entire process typically takes 30 minutes to over an hour, depending on your phone model and the size of the update.
If your PC goes to sleep during the update, it may interrupt the process. Before starting, go to your PC's power settings and disable sleep mode temporarily, or set it to sleep only after several hours of inactivity. You can re-enable sleep mode once the update finishes.
Watch your iPhone's screen to see the progress. When the update is complete, your phone will restart one final time and show the home screen. iTunes or Devices will also show a confirmation message that the update was successful.
What to Do If the Update Fails or Gets Stuck
If the update process stops responding or displays an error message, disconnect your iPhone and try again. First, close iTunes or Devices completely. Unplug your iPhone, wait 10 seconds, then plug it back in and reopen iTunes or Devices. Click Check for Update again and repeat the process.
If the same error appears a second time, force restart your iPhone while it is still connected to your PC. Press and release the Volume Up button, then press and release the Volume Down button. Then press and hold the Side button (the power button) until you see the "slide to power off" screen appear, then keep holding until the Apple logo appears. Your phone will restart, and iTunes or Devices may prompt you to restore or update again.
If the update still fails after a force restart, your iPhone may need a full restore. In iTunes, click Restore iPhone instead of Update. This erases your phone and reinstalls iOS from scratch. You can restore your data from a backup afterward, but this process takes longer and should only be used if updating repeatedly fails.
Verify the Update Was Successful
Once your iPhone restarts and shows the home screen, open the Settings app and go to General, then About. Look at the line labeled Software Version. The number shown should match the version you just updated to. If it does, the update was successful.
You can now disconnect your iPhone from your PC. Your phone will work normally, and all your data, apps, and settings remain unchanged. The update only replaces the operating system software, not your personal information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use a PC to update my iPhone?
No. iPhones can update wirelessly over Wi-Fi without a computer. Go to Settings, then General, then Software Update, and tap read and Install. A PC update is useful if your phone's storage is full, your Wi-Fi is slow, or you prefer to keep a backup on your computer.
Can I use a Mac instead of a Windows PC?
Yes. Macs use Finder instead of iTunes to manage iPhones, but the process is nearly identical. Connect your iPhone, open Finder, click on your phone in the sidebar, and click Check for Updates. The steps after that are the same.
What happens to my photos and apps during the update?
Nothing. An update only replaces the iOS operating system. Your photos, messages, apps, settings, and all personal data stay on your phone exactly as they were. A restore, by contrast, erases everything — only use restore if an update fails repeatedly.
How much free space does my iPhone need to update?
Your iPhone needs at least 1 to 2 gigabytes of free storage to read and install an iOS update. If you do not have enough space, delete photos, videos, or apps you do not need, then try updating again.
Can I use my iPhone while it is updating?
No. During the update, your iPhone is not usable. It will restart multiple times and display progress screens. You must leave it connected to your PC and plugged in until the update finishes completely.