iPad Pro 10.5 won't upgrade beyond iPadOS 15. Just says "installing" but never installs.

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iPad Pro 10.5 won't upgrade beyond iPadOS 15. Just says "installing" but never installs.

I have an iPad Pro 10.5 running OS 15. I tried multiple times updating the iPad to other 15.x versions and it would download, then go through the act of "installing" but would never install. If I backed out of the install screen and then went back to it (the software update screen) it would fail and say "Unable to check for Update. An error occurred while checking for a software update." This is after it already checked, downloaded, and started installing an update. I also tried waiting for OS16 to see if it was the latest OS15.x that was causing the problem, but I got the same issue trying to update to iPadOS 16. I've tried restarting, I've tried completely erasing and doing a full reset, and I'm at a loss for what to do. iPadOS 16 says it works on all iPad Pro models. This is a cellular model, but I don't have/use cellular and don't have a sim card inserted. I've tried taking out the sim card tray as I saw on another article, but that didn't work. I have over 100 gigs of available storage. I'm using wifi to download the update and have 350MBPS internet speed (over wireless). I'm at a loss for what to do! Please help!!

iPad Pro 10.5-inch, Wi-Fi, Cellular

Posted on Oct 25, 2022 09:23 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

LotusPilot

Community+ 2025

Level 10

299,624 points

Oct 25, 2022 09:26 AM in response to KKirs

There are known issues with some iPad models (e.g., iPad Pro 10.5) that have previously impacted update to iPadOS 15.x. - that conceivably may similarly affect update to iPadOS16.

For affected WiFi+Cellular models of iPad, many are reporting that removal of the SIM tray from the iPad will allow the verification and installation processes to successfully compete. Other reports suggest that installing a SIM card (whether active or not) also permits the update process to complete.

You may need to restart the update process, but removing the SIM tray from the iPad is simple and costs nothing to try.

Remove or switch the SIM card in your iPhone - Apple Support

If you have a WiFi Only model, the current workaround is to remove the iPad Passcode - and then re-try the installation process. This has also been observed to resolve issues with installing/verifying the update on WiFi+Cellular models.

Be aware that removing the iPad Passcode has implications for any payment methods registered for ApplePay from iPad - and your Keychain (that includes your saved passwords). Assuming that you have other devices (such as an iPhone), your Keychain will remain preserved in iCloud - and can be easily re-synchronised with your iPad via iCloud. Payment cards registered for ApplePay will need to be manually re-added after the update.

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Answer 2

lllaass

Level 10

210,495 points

Oct 25, 2022 09:52 AM in response to KKirs

Try:

Learn how to update your device manually if you're using a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, or if you're using a Mac with macOS Mojave or earlier or a Windows PC.

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Answer 3

KKirs Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 25, 2022 10:09 AM in response to KKirs

Thank you for the response. I've tried already removing the passcode as well as removing the sim tray. I still have the same issues.

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Answer 4

KKirs Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 25, 2022 11:52 AM in response to lllaass

I had tried this before unsuccessfully, but this time it worked! I took out the sim card tray, removed the password, and then upgraded to iPadOS 16.1. Thanks for the reminder to try this!

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iPad Pro 10.5 won't upgrade beyond iPadOS 15. Just says "installing" but never installs.

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