6 Fixes! An Error Occurred Installing iOS 16/17/18

Problem: Unable to Install Update An Error Occurred Installing iOS 16/17/18

You are trying to update to the latest version, however, a message pops up and saying that “Unable to Install Update - An error occurred installing iOS 16” just like the user asked above.

Well, this is a quite common problem that happens each year. Here in this guide, I’ll detail all methods that can help you troubleshoot the “An error occurred installing iOS 16” issue. Keep reading.

Note: These methods also apply to fix the error when installing iPadOS 16.

►Important:
Have you backed up your iPhone? If haven’t, please do it now!
Be aware that there is always a risk of data loss when upgrading to new iOS. You definitely do not want to find that you lose contacts, photos, or any other files after the update. Refer to this How to Backup iPhone Before iOS 16 Update guide to backup your important data.

How to Fix Unable to Install Update An Error Occurred Installing iOS 16/iPadOS 16 Error

The following are all the potential solutions you can try to troubleshoot the unable to install iOS 16/iPad OS 16 problem.

Solution 1. Check If Your Device Supports iOS 16/17/18

If your device is not compatible with iOS 16, then you may get the “Unable to Install Update - An Error Occurred Installing iOS 16” message. So first make sure that your device is on the supported list.

iOS 16 Supported Devices:

iPhone 13 Pro/Pro Max13/mini/iPhone 12/12 Pro (Max)/12 mini, iPhone SE 2020, iPhone 11/11 Pro (Max), iPhone XS Max/XS/XR/X, iPhone 8/8 Plus, iPhone 7/7 Plus, iPhone 6s/6s Plus, iPhone SE, iPod touch 7

iPadOS 16 Supported Devices:

12.9-inch iPad Pro, 11-inch iPad Pro, 10.5-inch iPad Pro, 9.7-inch iPad Pro, iPad (7th gen), iPad (6th gen), iPad (5th gen), iPad mini (5th gen), iPad mini 4, iPad Air (3rd gen), iPad Air 2

Solution 2. Force Restart Your Device

A force restart can help you dump all junk files of your device and to refresh its memory. It’s a quick trick to fix minor system glitches to get rid of any iOS error. So you can try to force restart your iPhone or iPad when meeting the unable to install iOS 16/17/18 error.

Force restart iPhone 8 and later:

Quickly press and release the Volume Up button > Quickly press and release the Volume Down button > Press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.

Force restart iPhone 7/7 Plus:

Press and hold Power button and Volume Down button together > Release both buttons when the Apple logo appears.

Force restart iPhone 6s, SE and earlier

Hold down the Home button and the Power button at the same time > Release both buttons when the Apple logo appears.

Force restart iPad with Face ID:

Press and hold either Volume button and the Top button until the power off slider appears > Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off > Press and hold the Top button until you see the Apple logo.

Force restart iPad with Home ID:

Press and hold the Top button until the power off slider appears > Drag the slider, then wait for 30 seconds for your device to turn off > Press and hold the Top button until you see the Apple logo.

Solution 3. Free Up Space

The iOS update requires quite a little free storage space. And the“Unable to Install Update - An Error Occurred Installing iOS 16” message usually pops up due to insufficient memory. You can go to have a check whether there is enough storage space to complete the update. You’d better make sure there is at least 5 GB of available storage space.

Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to check and delete some useless files. You can also delete some old photos, messages, songs, or infrequently used apps to free up more space.

Solution 4. Delete Downloaded Firmware

The update will be interrupted because of insufficient space, poor network condition, etc. In this case, to let the update complete smoothly, you should delete the incomplete iOS 16 software update file and then restart the iOS update again.

Go to Settings > General > iPhone/iPad Storage > Find and tap the update file > Click Delete Update to make it.

Solution 5. Check Network Connection

The iOS update also requires a stable network connection. The update download may get interrupted because of the poor Internet connection so you get the “Unable to Installing iOS 16” error message.

You can turn off/on Wi-Fi or turn off/on Airplane Mode to refresh the Internet. Besides, you can also try to reset network settings by going to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Then re-enter the password to join the Wi-Fi and try updating again.

Solution 6. Update Your Device via iTunes

If all the above methods cannot help you get rid of the “Unable to Install Update - An Error Occurred Installing iOS 16” message, you may try to update your iPhone or iPad via iTunes.

1. Download and install the latest version of iTunes on your computer.

2. Run iTunes and plug in your device.

3. Click the Device tab > Summary > Click Check for Update button.

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Conclusion

That’s all about how to fix the “Unable to Install Update - An error occurred installing iOS 16”. Did any of these solutions help solve your problem? If so, just share it to help more people. Or if you still have any questions about this issue, just leave a comment to let us know.

FAQs about unable to install iOS

What are the common causes of this error?

• Common causes of this error include insufficient storage space on the device, unstable internet connection during the download or installation process, software conflicts, corrupted update files, or issues with the device's hardware.

Why does this error occur during iOS updates?

• Errors during iOS updates can occur due to various reasons, such as network interruptions, software glitches, incompatible software, insufficient storage, or hardware issues. Sometimes, it's also related to Apple's servers experiencing high traffic during update releases.

Should I try updating again immediately after encountering this error?

• It's advisable to wait for a while before attempting the update again, especially if the error occurred due to server issues or network congestion. Give it some time and try updating later to see if the issue resolves itself.

Is there a specific error code associated with this issue?

• Sometimes, "An Error Occurred Installing iOS" may be accompanied by an error code, such as Error 3194, Error 9, Error 4013, etc. These error codes can provide more specific information about what went wrong during the update process and can be useful for troubleshooting.

Is there a way to avoid encountering this error in the future?

• To minimize the chances of encountering this error in the future, ensure that your device has enough storage space, maintain a stable internet connection during updates, keep your device and software up-to-date, and avoid installing unofficial or beta versions of iOS updates. Regularly backing up your data can also help mitigate the impact of any future issues.