iPhone 15 Pro not updating to latest iOS

Question

Level 1

4 points

iPhone 15 Pro not updating to latest iOS

Done all the advised things, checked storage, restarted, removed large attachments. Nothing works. It failed at the downloading software update stage.

My iPad on the same account has no issues!

This could be part of a wider issue I’ve had with iPhones on my Apple ID…they won’t backup, even tho iPads do on same account. I’ve had Apple engineers on my phone for hours and hours, downloading data to examine in their lab, factory resets, the lot. Nothing has ever worked. I’ve got by up till now by just turning backups off, but now I can’t do updates, that’s not good!

im thinking my only option is to create a new AppleID.

iPhone 15 Pro, iOS 18

Posted on Nov 23, 2025 12:02 PM

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Answer 1

TheLittles

Level 10

202,669 points

Nov 23, 2025 3:33 PM in response to Kate-L

"iPhone 15 Pro not updating to latest iOS: Done all the advised things, checked storage, restarted, removed large attachments. Nothing works. It failed at the downloading software update stage. My iPad on the same account has no issues! [...] I can’t do updates, that’s not good! im thinking my only option is to create a new AppleID."

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Updating an iPhone:

Update Using Ethernet:

See my User Tip: Update your iPhone Using a Computer - Apple Support. Connect this to a Computer; then connect the computer to your router using Ethernet. That would likely give you a more reliable connection.

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Answer 2

Kate-L Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 24, 2025 1:09 PM in response to Kate-L

Hi Lawrence, thank you too for taking the time to respond, it really is appreciated.

No VPN installed and actually that is something Apple engineers have regularly checked so a good shout.

But see my comments above…update finally successful! (Interestingly, the ‘reset network settings’ trick is not mentioned anywhere on online advice when I’ve searched for answers)!

Now to fix the years old backup issue…

Have a great day!

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Answer 3

TheLittles

Level 10

202,669 points

Nov 24, 2025 2:11 PM in response to Kate-L

“[…]the new engineer has told me that this is easier than it used to be as they’ve changed something over the last few months in Apple that means you can copy between IDs…let’s see![…]”

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Not certain what you mean by “copy between IDs”. Are you talking about Apple Accounts here (formerly called “Apple IDs”)?

Copying, Transferring, and Sharing Data:

As for sharing and transferring between Apple Accounts, that’s where Family Sharing comes into play. So, if you were to have have a second Apple Account, then items could be access across then. On another note, if a family member has become deceased, then a death certificate would be the ultimate way to obtain their purchased content.

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Answer 4

Nov 23, 2025 3:01 PM in response to Kate-L

Perhaps a long shot:

Do you have a 3rd party VPN installed, even if you are not using it? If so, delete the VPN profile in Settings/General/VPN & Device Management/VPN, then restart your device. Don't just turn it off; delete the profile. If that fixes it, you can try reinstalling VPN, but probably shouldn't.

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Answer 5

Kate-L Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 24, 2025 1:06 PM in response to TheLittles

Thanks TheLittles for taking time out of your day to respond!

Unfortunately via a computer won’t work for me as it (my MacBook) will not proceed without doing a backup first, which my phone cannot do! Grrrr!

However, the good news is that I have finally fixed the issue as I remembered an engineer telling me a while back about ‘reset network settings’ which did the trick. This has also fixed a temporary problem I had with WhatsApp which wouldn’t backup (separate from the phone backup).

Amyway, I’ve now spoken to a nice Apple engineer who may finally be able to provide some assistance with the backup issue…I think this is non-fixable (well no engineer has managed yet and multiple allegedly senior engineers have tried) so am considering going down the new Apple ID route…the new engineer has told me that this is easier than it used to be as they’ve changed something over the last few months in Apple that means you can copy between IDs…let’s see!

Have a great day!

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