If an error occurred when installing iOS 17, the first thing you should do is close all applications on your iPhone and restart it. After restarting your iPhone, navigate to Settings > General > Software Update > and follow the on-screen instructions to download and install iOS 17 from scratch. But this is just one of the few fixes for an “error occurred installing iOS 17” issue. Let’s go over other solutions.
How to Fix “An Error Occurred Installing iOS 17” Issues
There are simple ways to resolve the “Software Update Failed” or “An Error Occurred Installing iOS 17” error on your iPhone when installing iOS 17.
Apple’s servers are busy delivering updates to millions of users worldwide in the early days of a new iOS release. Furthermore, some issues on your device or on Apple’s servers may be preventing you from installing the latest update. Your iPhone will display the “Software Update Failed” error when this occurs. If you’re in a similar situation, we’ll show you how to resolve the “Software Update Failed” error when installing iOS 17 on your iPhone.
#1. Install iOS 17 from the Ground Up:
First, you should close all applications on your iPhone and restart it. After restarting your iPhone, navigate to Settings > General > Software Update > and follow the on-screen instructions to download and install iOS 17 from scratch. Restarting the iPhone may help you resolve any underlying errors in iOS 16 and resolve the “Software Update Failed” error while installing iOS 17.
#2. Wait for it to Pass:
If the above method does not work, you can always wait a few hours and try again. As previously stated, the problem could be caused by excessive downloads, causing server-side delivery issues. Nonetheless, this may help resolve your iPhone’s iOS 17 “Software Update Failed” error.
#3. Update Using iTunes
If you don’t want to use the IPSW method, you can always update to the most recent iOS build using iTunes on Windows or Finder on Mac. Simply connect your iPhone to your Mac or PC and select the Update option from the Summary menu. This will update your iPhone to iOS 17, potentially bypassing the “Software Update Failed” error.
#4. Check the Internet Connection
Ensure you have a fast Wi-Fi connection before updating your device to iOS 17. You may receive the “an error occurred downloading iOS 17” message if you are using cellular data or a cellular hotspot. This keeps you from exceeding your data limit, as iOS 17 consumes approximately 3GB. Also, if your Wi-Fi connection is too slow, the iOS 17 software update failed error can occur, especially if you have random Wi-Fi drops or an intermittent connection. As a result, you can:
Solution 1: Restart your Wi-Fi.
- Navigate to Settings and then Wi-Fi.
- To turn the feature off, toggle the Wi-Fi switch.
- After a few seconds, tap the switch again to reactivate Wi-Fi. You can also do it by turning the Airplane mode on and off.
Solution 2: Forget about the Wi-Fi network and recreate it
- Select Wi-Fi from the Settings menu.
- Select your Wi-Fi network from the list of available networks.
- Tap the “i” icon next to the name of your Wi-Fi network or SSID for more information.
- Then select the Forget this network option.
Solution 3: Reset your iPhone’s network settings.
- Select General from the Settings menu.
- Reset > Reset Network Settings should be selected. It should be noted that this will remove all network passwords and settings.
- Switch off your iPhone. Restart and retry after a few seconds.
#5. Check the Available Space on Your iPhone
The “Software Update Failed” message appeared. If your device does not have enough free storage space, an error occurred downloading iOS 17. The iOS 17 file size is approximately 6 GB. However, to ensure a smooth iOS 17 update and performance, you should have at least 5GB of free space on your device.
Step 1: Check your iPhone’s free storage:
Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and tap it. You can then view the free space on your iPhone and the storage used by various apps.
Step 2: Defragment iPhone storage:
If you don’t have enough free space, you can delete unwanted apps, clean up your photo library, clear app/browser cache, delete messages and junk files, and so on. Because photos and videos consume a lot of storage space on your iOS device, you can transfer them to a computer or an external USB drive.
#6. Reset all Settings
Resetting iPhone settings will not affect any data stored on the device’s memory, but it will remove all of your current settings and personal preferences, as well as any incorrect options and values.
- Select General from the Settings menu.
- Scroll down and select Reset.
- From the available options, select Reset All Settings.
- If prompted, enter your passcode to proceed.
- Tap on Reset All Settings again to confirm the action.
#7. Use IPSW to Update iOS 17 Manually
If the iOS 17 software update failed error occurs when you select OTA update or automatic update overnight, you can try another option: manually download and install iOS 17 using the IPSW firmware file. This method may help you resolve the “an error occurred downloading iOS 17” problem caused by Apple’s server. This method, however, is not recommended for regular users because it requires iTunes/Finder to update.
- Go to https://ipsw.me/ and choose your iPhone model. Then, for your iPhone, download the iOS 17 IPSW files.
- Launch iTunes or Finder after connecting your iPhone to your computer.
- Navigate to the Summary tab in iTunes/Finder and select your iPhone. Hold down the Shift or Option key on Windows or Mac and click on Update.
- Then, select the iOS 17 IPSW file you downloaded to your computer, and the update will begin.
Why Isn’t My iPhone Updating to iOS 17?
Before we get to the solution, let’s look at what might be causing the “unable to install update iOS 17” error. There could be several reasons for this. We’ve listed them below. Examine them and consider what might have gone wrong in your situation.
High Demand on Apple Servers
When a new software update is released, millions of users attempt to install it, causing an overload on Apple’s servers. This can lead to errors such as “unable to install update iOS 17”. However, it is only temporary and usually resolves itself after a while.
Low battery power
When you update your iPhone, the operating system checks the battery percentage for the first time. It helps ensure that the installation is completed within the battery’s remaining capacity. A low battery will prevent you from updating your iOS device and may result in the error “unable to install update an error occurred while installing iOS 17.”
Unreliable Internet Access
Because software update files, such as iOS 17, are typically larger, the device requires a stable and reliable internet connection to download it successfully. If your internet connection is slow, the update will not download and you may encounter an error while downloading.
Will a failed iOS 17 update result in data loss?
Data loss is unlikely if an iOS update fails because the device usually reverts to the previous operating system. To reduce the risk, it is recommended that you back up your device on a regular basis. Severe software issues during the update process may result in temporary or permanent data loss in rare cases. In such cases, contact Apple Support or an authorised service centre for assistance.
Conclusion
When it comes to software updates, Apple is one of the industry’s most recognisable brands. However, users reported a “unable to install update iOS 17” error after the release of iOS 17. We discussed the best ways to resolve the “unable to install update an error occurred installing iOS 17” error in this guide.
- iOS 17.0.1: Everything You Should Know (+ Free Tips)
- How Long the iOS 17.0.1 Update Takes (+ Free Tips)
- BOTTLENECKING PC: What It Is, How to Prevent or Fix It
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- How to Install iOS 17 on Your iPhone 2023: (+ Free Tips)
- How Long Does iOS 17 Take To Download (+ Free Tips)
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