12 Tips to Fix Unable to Install Update. An Error Occurred Installing iOS 16

User Concern

“Anyone else getting an error when trying to install iOS 16? I got an error saying 'Unable to Install Update. An error occurred installing iOS 16'. I retried like 5 times and always got the same error. Any suggestions?”

Apple regularly releases iOS updates to fix bugs, add additional features or improve functions of iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. You can easily update your device wirelessly by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

Recently, when installing the iOS 16 or iPadOS 16 update, some users got the error of "Unable to Install Update. An error occurred installing iOS 16". Don't panic. This is one of the most common iOS update issues and there are are several ways to fix the problem on your own.

Why Does iPhone Say Unable to Install Update?

First, let's see why you are getting the error "Unable to Install Update. An error occurred installing iOS 16". Usually, the following issues may prevent you from updating your iPhone or iPad:

• Your iPhone or iPad is not compatible with the iOS 16 or iPadOS 16.
• Your device battery is very low.
• Your WiFi connection is weak or not working at all.
• The iPhone does not have enough free space for the update.
• iPhone/iPad cannot connect to the Apple update server.

Back Up Your iPhone/iPad First

Before troubleshooting the error, make sure you backup the iPhone or iPad in case something goes wrong during the iOS update process:

• Use iCloud: on your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.
• Use iTunes/Finder: Connect iPhone or iPad to your computer and open iTunes or Finder, select your device and click "Back Up Now".
• Use Third-party Tool like FoneGeek Backup & Restore (iOS) to backup data on your iPhone or iPad more flexibly.

Once you made the backup, try out these solutions introduced below to resolve the Unable to Install Update error.

Tip 1. Essentials to Install iOS 16 Update

1.1 Check If Your iPhone is iOS 16 Compatible

Please note that iOS 16 is no longer compatible with the iPhone SE, iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. If you're unable to install iOS 16, please first check if your iPhone or iPad are on the supported devices list.

• iOS 16 Supported Devices: iPhone 13 series, iPhone 12 series, iPhone 11 series, iPhone XS and XS Max, iPhone XR and X, iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, iPhone SE (2nd generation or later).
• iPadOS 16 Supported Devices: iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air (3rd generation and later), iPad (5th generation and later), iPad mini (5th generation and later).

1.2 Ensure That iPhone Battery is Over 50%

To install an iOS update, you must ensure that the device battery is more than 50%. If the battery is less than 50%, you'd better connect the device into charging and download the iOS update again when the battey is over 50%.

1.3 Check Network Connection

You need a good and stable internet connection to do the iOS update. Poor internet connection may interrupt the update process. So, check your network connection before installation:

• Make sure you're on Wi-Fi and it is actively online. You can test this by opening Safari and visiting any website.
• If possible, try to update your iPhone or iPad using a different Wi-Fi network.
• Also, you can try to turn off WiFi and then turn it back on to refresh the internet connection
• You can also try to reset network settings on your device by going to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

1.4 Check Your iPhone Storage

The iOS 16 installation process may also be interrupt due to insufficient storage space on your iPhone. In this situation, you should check the iPhone storage and make sure there is enough space to download and install an iOS update.

• Firstly, go to iPhone's update page by clicking Settings > General > Software Update. Then the required storage to install iOS 16 will be displayed. You should ensure that the free space on your iPhone is more than the data size of the iOS update file.
• Then go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to check the used and free storage on your iPhone. You can clear iPhone caches, junk files and uncessary data if you found that there is no sufficient storage to update iOS 16.

1.5 Wait for a While and Try Again

Once the new iOS 16 version is released to all Apple users, tens of thousands of users can hardly wait to have the new version downloaded and installed immediately. Then the problem arises.

Too much traffic on Apple server will definitely result in the failure of installing iOS update file. So we suggest you be patient to try again several hours or several days later.

Tip 2. Force Quit the Settings App

Try to quit the Settings app if you cannot install the iOS 16 update on your iPhone.

1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and drag the Settings app card up to force quit it.
2. Then open the Settings app again and go to General > Software Update to check if the new iOS update is listed here.

Tip 3. Restart Your Device

Restarting your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch sometimes does work to fix the issue of an error occurred installing iOS 16. And it can be the easiest step for you to take. Simply power off your device and then power on to see if it helps to solve the update problem. If not, keep reading.

Tip 4. Force Restart iPhone

If a somple restart don't work for you, do a force restart may be your best bet. Here's how to force restart your iPhone or iPad:

• Preas and quickly release the Volume Up button.
• Then press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
• After that, press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.

Tip 5. Remove and Download the Update Again

If you still fail to install the iOS 16 update, try simply removing and downloading the update again. Here's how:

1. On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and locate the update in the list of apps.
2. Tap on the update and choose the option of "Delete Update".
3. Restart the device and then go back to Settings > General > Software Update to download the latest update again.

Tip 6. Fix iOS Update Error without Data Loss

If "Unable to Install Update. An error occurred installing iOS 16" issue still appears after trying all the tricks, the best solution that is 100% work for you is using FoneGeek iOS System Recovery. It is easy to use and will never deleted or damage the current data stored on iPhone.

Besides the iOS update issue, a wide range of other iOS issues can also be resolved, such as iPhone stuck on Apple logo, black screen, boot loop, etc.

This program is 100% secure to use and highly recommended by GetDroidTips, Timebusinessnews, Techjury, Techstory and many other media sites. Advanced technology is also used to support all models of iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.

Step 1: After you have downloaded FoneGeek iOS System Recovery on your computer, launch it and connect your device with a USB cable. Then click "Standard Mode".

If your iPhone or iPad is not detected by the program, you can put the device into DFU/Recovery mode as the instructions on the interface.

Step 2: Once the device is successfully detected, the program will display the device information and provide the newest firmware package. You can select the firmware of iOS 16 and click on "Download".

Step 3: Click on "Fix Now" and the program will begin to install the newest iOS firmware. Keep the device connected with the program and do no use it until the installation process is completed.

Tip 7. Update iOS 16 with iTunes/Finder

You can also connect your device to a Mac or Windows PC and install the iOS update through iTunes or Finder. Here's what you need to do:

1. Connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer using USB cable and launch iTunes or Finder.
2. When iTunes/Finder detects the device, click on the device icon and tap "Check for Update" to install the new iOS update version.

Tip 8. Use IPSW to Install the iOS Update

You can also use the iOS IPSW file to update your iPhone or iPad. However, this method is only for those who are technologically advanced as the process is a bit more complicated.

1. Download the IPSW file for your iPhone/iPad on your computer.
2. Connect your iPhone or iPad to the computer and launch iTunes or Finder.
3. Hold down the Shift key in Windows or Option key on Mac and then click "Update".
4. Then find and choose the IPSW file you just downloaded and let the device update as usual.

Conclusion

We have listed the 12 simple solutions above. Compared with other complicated tips, FoneGeek iOS System Recovery will be quite easy to remove the issue of an error occurred installing iOS 16.

What's better, if you have any other errors after updating to iOS 16, you can also downgrade iOS 16 to iOS 15 without iTunes via this tool. If you have any better ideas or have opinions with this article, you can leave your comment below.