Why am I Getting iOS 17 “Software Update Failed” Error?
Before we fix the error, let’s understand why this error pops up. There should be a reason. Well, there are many reasons why. Since we cannot list all of them, here are some of the most common reasons why this error occurs:
- Heavy Server Load: The delivery of a major iOS update typically causes a spike in user demand and a corresponding increase in server load. Due to the increased demand, update issues such as “Software Updates Failed” may occur.
- Battery and Power-Related Issues: The update procedure may fail because your battery is low or your device is set to Low Power mode.
- Poor Internet Connection: To update iOS successfully, you need a constant and reliable online connection. The “Software Update Failed” error may appear if your device cannot connect to the internet reliably, which prevents the update from completing.
- Not Enough Storage Space: iOS updates might be particularly demanding on available storage space. The update process may fail if your device has insufficient space, prompting the error notice.
- Incorrect Settings: The “Software Update Failed” issue may also appear if your device’s settings are incorrect, including the date and time or any limits on software updates.
Preparing for the Update
A successful and trouble-free iOS update installation requires some preliminary work. Following these steps will help reduce the likelihood of problems occurring during the upgrade. Before you start the upgrade, you should think about these important factors:
Make sure your battery life is sufficient before beginning the update. A low battery can delay or even prevent the update from installing. If you want to update without interrupting the process, ensure your device is either plugged into a power source or fully charged. To further ensure the update goes smoothly, disabling any power-saving features, such as Low Power Mode, is best.
Plus, it would be best to have your iPhone updated to the latest stable version of iOS 16, iOS 16.6. Follow these steps to see if you’re running the latest version of iOS on your device:
- Open your iPhone’s Settings app.
- Tap “General,” then choose “Software Update.”
- If an update is available, it must be downloaded and installed before the iOS 17 update may be performed.
If you follow these steps, your iOS device will be better prepared for the iOS 17 update and have a better chance of a smooth upgrade. To avoid losing any data during the upgrade process, you should back it up first. Now, let’s move to the solutions.
Fix the iOS 17 “Software Update Failed” Error
If you followed the instructions above and still get the “Software Update Failed” error on your iPhone, we have some solutions ready for you. These solutions have proved to be working for several users across the world. So, let’s start.
Fix 1: Wait and Try Again
When many iPhone users all try to update their devices at once, it’s not uncommon for the servers to crash due to the increased demand. In this case, you might want to give it some more time. By waiting, you reduce the demand on the server, which improves the update’s chances of going smoothly. After waiting for some time, you can try again; but before you try again, remove the failed iOS 17 beta update file.
To remove the failed iOS 17 update file, follow these steps:
- Open your iPhone’s Settings app.
- Then, select General.
- Choose iPhone Storage from the menu.
- Try to find the unfinished iOS 17 upgrade and remove it. If an update fails, removing it clears the slate for another try.
After erasing the failed update, restarting the iPhone is a good practice. Here’s how to restart your iPhone:
- Hold the Side key until the “Slide to power off” option displays, and then drag the slider it to power off your iPhone.
- After completely shutting down the iPhone, press and hold the power button until the Apple logo shows.
Fix 2: Hard Reset Your iPhone
Sometimes, software glitches can hinder the installation of the iOS 17 update on your iPhone. A hard reset or restart can help resolve these issues and allow for a smoother update process. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to hard reset your iPhone:
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Side button (or Power button) until you see the Apple logo on the screen.
By performing a hard reset, you can refresh the device’s software and potentially overcome any obstacles preventing the successful installation of the iOS 17 update. After the iPhone restarts, you can proceed with the update process and check if the “Software Update Failed” error persists.
Fix 3: Check Your Internet Connection
You may be experiencing the “Software Update Failed” error because of a weak internet connection. You must check and ensure your internet connection is fast and reliable. Here are some ways to test your connection speed and stability:
To begin, check to see if your iPhone is within range of the router. Ensure that there are no physical obstacles, like walls or huge objects, interfering with the transmission by checking the signal strength. Move your iPhone closer to the router if you need to.
Restarting your iPhone’s Wi-Fi settings may help if you still have trouble connecting. Here’s what you should do:
- Open your iPhone’s Settings app.
- Choose “Wi-Fi” from the menu.
- Find your current Wi-Fi network among the list of available networks, and connect to it.
- Select the network’s SSID and tap the corresponding information button (i).
- Simply tap on “Forget this network” and then confirm your choice.
- Now tap on the Wi-Fi network and enter the password for your Wi-Fi network to reconnect.
If you’re updating over a cellular network, check that your iPhone’s data limits and restrictions aren’t preventing the update from downloading.
Fix 4: Reset Network Settings
If your internet connection problems are unresolved, try resetting the network settings. This will help eliminate any misconfigurations you might have made within the settings app. However, do note that resetting the network settings will remove all your saved Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth devices, and VPNs. Once you are ready, you can follow the steps below to reset your network settings:
- Open your iPhone’s Settings app.
- Then, select General.
- Scroll down to “Transfer or Reset iPhone” and tap on it.
- Then, tap “Reset” and choose “Reset Network Settings.” You may need to enter your passcode to proceed.
- Confirm your selection by tapping on “Reset Network Settings” again.
- Restart your iPhone and try installing iOS 17 again after the restart.
Fix 5: Make Sure There Is Enough Storage Space
It is crucial to have sufficient storage space on your device to install iOS 17. Insufficient storage can lead to download and installation failures, hindering the update process. To optimize storage and create enough space for the update, follow these steps:
- Open your iPhone’s Settings app.
- Then, select General.
- Tap on Storage. Here, you can view the amount of storage currently available on your device and see how much space each app occupies.
If you are running low on storage space, consider doing the following:
- Delete unused apps: Identify and remove any apps you no longer use or need.
- Sort through photos: Review your photo library and delete any duplicate, blurry, or unwanted photos. You can also transfer photos to a computer or external USB drive to free up space.
- Clear unnecessary files: Check your device for any unnecessary files, such as downloaded documents, PDFs, or media files. Delete any files that are no longer needed.
- Clear browser and app cache: Some apps and web browsers accumulate cache files over time. Clearing these caches can help recover valuable storage space. You can do this within the individual app settings or browser settings.
- Delete old messages: Messages, especially those with multimedia attachments, can occupy significant storage. Delete unnecessary conversations or remove attachments from messages to free up space.
- Use Cloud Storage: Consider uploading your photos and videos to cloud storage services like iCloud or Google Photos. This allows you to access them remotely while freeing up local storage on your iPhone.
Fix 6: Update to iOS 17 Using iTunes or Finder
You can also update to iOS 17 beta through iTunes or Finder. Besides that, the iTunes approach is quicker, safer, and more secure, thus it is less likely to result in errors like “Software Update Failed.” You should be fine if you own a computer, be it a PC or a Mac. Follow these steps to update to iOS 17 using iTunes or Finder:
- Use a USB to the Lightning connector to connect your iPhone to your PC or Mac.
- Open the iTunes or Finder application on your computer.
- Click on the “Summary” option from the left panel. This will take you to your iPhone’s summary page.
- Look for the “Check for Update” option and click on it. iTunes will then search for the latest iOS 17 update. If it’s available, you’ll see the option to “Download and Update.”
- Follow the on-screen prompts to install the update on your iPhone. You may be prompted to enter your passcode during the update.
- iTunes will download the iOS 17 update specifically for your iPhone and install it on your device.
- Once the update process is complete, restart your iPhone to install iOS 17.
Fix 7: Reset All Settings
If you can’t use iTunes/Finder to update your iPhone and none of the previous solutions helped, you can try resetting all your iPhone settings to default. All your configurations will be deleted and restored to factory defaults. Here’s how to reset all settings on your iPhone:
Note: Resetting all settings will restore your iPhone to its default configuration, erasing any personalized preferences, but it will not delete your data.
- Open your iPhone’s Settings app.
- Then, select General.
- Scroll down to find “Transfer or Reset iPhone” and tap on it.
- Then, tap on “Reset” and choose “Reset All Settings.” You may need to enter your passcode to proceed.
- Confirm your selection by tapping on “Reset All Settings” again.
- Restart your iPhone and try installing iOS 17 again after the restart.
Fix 8: Restore iPhone to Factory Settings
If all other troubleshooting steps have failed, restoring your iPhone to factory settings is your last bet to resolve the iOS 17 “Software Update Failed” error. Restoring your iPhone to factory settings provides a clean slate and resolves any software-related issues hindering the update.
However, backing up your important data before proceeding with this method is crucial. Follow these steps to restore your iPhone to factory settings:
- Open your iPhone’s Settings app.
- Then, select General.
- Scroll down to “Transfer or Reset iPhone” and tap on it.
- Then tap “Reset” and choose “Erase All Content and Settings.”
- If prompted, enter your passcode and Apple ID password to confirm the action.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to proceed with the erasure process. This will delete all data and settings from your iPhone.
- After the reset process is complete, follow the on-screen instructions to set up your device.
Fix 9: Use third-party software– Tenorshare ReiBoot
Since the reasons for iOS 17 Software Update Failed are complicated, you may have to spend more time troubleshooting the reasons. Therefore, reliance on a third-party toll, such as Tenorshare ReiBoot, that enables one-click resolution of the iOS 17 software update failed problem becomes essential as a result. Tenorshare ReiBoot is a versatile tool that can be used to resolve a wide range of iOS issues.
In addition, it can help you directly update iOS 17 without jailbreak.
Follow these steps to quickly fix iOS 17 “Software Update Failed”:
1: Connect your iDevice to the computer and launch Tenorshare ReiBoot. Click on the “Standard Repair” button to begin the process.
2: The software will automatically download the required firmware package for your iPhone.
3: After the firmware package is downloaded successfully, click on “Start Repair” to start fixing any system issues.
4: Wait until the repair process is complete, which may take a few minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can download and install the iOS 17 beta?
While the iOS 17 Developer beta is intended for developers, anyone can register as a developer and enjoy using the latest iOS 17 beta.
Is the iOS 17 beta available for public download?
Not as of now. The iOS 17 beta is currently only available for developers. The public beta will be released next month, i.e., in July 2023.
How can I participate in the iOS 17 beta testing program?
You can participate in the iOS 17 beta program from the Beta Updates tab in Settings > General > Software Updates. Select the developer beta and follow the on-screen instructions to complete installing the update.
Can I install the iOS 17 beta on my primary device?
Yes, you can surely install the iOS 17 beta on your primary device. However, it is not recommended since it is a beta update which might contain severe bugs that will make your phone unusable. Talking about the iOS 17 Developer beta, there are no major bugs reported yet.
Will my data be safe if I install the iOS 17 beta?
We can’t say for sure. Although, in most cases, your data should be fine but if the update is buggy, you might lose your data. So, it is always safe to back up all your iPhone data before installing the update.
Can I downgrade from the iOS 17 beta to a stable iOS version?
Yes, you can. The procedure is simple and will not result in any data loss. All you need is a computer with iTunes, and you should be ready. Your iPhone will revert to the latest iOS 16 build.
When can we expect the stable release of iOS 17?
You can expect the stable release of iOS 17 with the launch of the iPhone 15 series in September 2023. The stable software will be released for all eligible iPhones simultaneously.
Final Words
iOS 17 brings some exciting new features to the iPhone, and users can’t wait to try them out. Unfortunately, when trying to install the iOS 17 beta, users face the “Software Update Failed” error. The error is pretty common as we have seen the same error when installing earlier versions of iOS as well. We hope this guide has helped you resolve the error and install the iOS 17 beta seamlessly. If you have any further questions, let us know. Thanks for reading!
