How to download iOS 18 - Apple Support (2024)

FAQs

Why can't I download iOS 18? ›

Software Issue: Sometimes, temporary glitches or bugs can hinder the update process. Insufficient Storage: Ensure you have enough storage on your device to download and install the update. Network Connectivity: A weak or unstable internet connection can prevent the update from appearing.

If you don't have enough space on your iPhone, you won't be able to get iOS 18 right away. You also need to have an internet connection and may need to have your phone on the charger. If you have an older iPhone, no amount of space or internet connection will help you get iOS 18.

Those with eligible devices can update them by going to Settings > General > About > Software Update and starting the download and installation processes. To see if your device is eligible, we have a list of iPhone models that can support iOS 18. Check it out and see if yours will work.

Download and install iOS 18

If you selected 'Update Now', an 'Update Requested' message should appear, followed by an estimate of how long iOS 18 will take to download (this should be around 15 minutes). At this point, it's a good idea to plug your iPhone into a charger and let the magic happen.

Apple did not promise to release iOS 18 for download the instant the date turns September 16, 2024 – their time. Let alone promise to release iOS 18 the previous day. You will have to wait like everyone else. It won't be released until some time during the day.

On your supported iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update. If you do this right at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET, you may need to wait a bit for the update to appear, so be patient. Once it does show up, go into Upgrade to iOS 18 at the bottom of the page and then hit Update Now to install iOS 18 on your phone.

iOS 18 is a free software update that is available starting today for iPhone Xs and later. For more information, visit apple.com/ios/ios-18. Some features may not be available in all regions, all languages, or on all iPhone models.

Apple always releases new versions of iOS alongside its new iPhones — and outside of the beta testing program, you can download and install iOS 18 for yourself on Sept. 16, a few days before the new iPhones are released on Sept. 20. When you do, though, it won't offer all of the features that Apple announced in June.

Is Apple iOS 18 out? ›

iOS 18 is now available, bringing iPhone users around the world new ways to personalise their iPhone with deeper customisation to the Home Screen and Control Center; the biggest-ever redesign to Photos, making it even easier to find and relive special moments; and major enhancements to Messages and Mail.

Update iPhone manually

At any time, you can check for and install software updates. Go to Settings > General > Software Update. The screen shows the currently installed version of iOS and whether an update is available. To turn off automatic updates, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates.

iOS 18 brings several major changes, as well as smaller tweaks, to your phone, including a more customizable home screen, a redesigned control center and photo album, the ability to lock and hide your apps, RCS support for better text messaging with Android users and more.

When is iOS 18 available? iPhone users can download the update starting now, which was made available from Apple at 10 a.m. PT/ 1 p.m. ET on Monday, Sept. 16, according to the technology company.

iOS 18 was released on September 16, just in time for the iPhone 16's on-sale date of September 20.

You might be unable to update your iPhone or iPad wirelessly, or over the air, for one of these reasons: Your device doesn't support the latest software. There isn't enough available storage space on your device. The update takes a long time to download.

Senior Contributor. One of the very last iOS 17 updates is here because iOS 18 is out now. If that sounds confusing, here's the reasoning. Every phone that runs iOS 17 can run iOS 18, too.

iOS 18 is releasing on Monday and the download of updates for iOS, iPadOS, macOS and watchOS will kick off from around 1pm in New York, 6 pm in the UK on Monday and approximately around 3 am on Tuesday in Sydney, Australia.