iOS 17 is here!

Read through my iOS 17 Pre-Update Checklist for a seamless install experience. More tips and tricks coming soon!

1. Make sure your iPhone is compatible with iOS 17

   You’ll need one of the following devices. It’s easy to find out which device you own, simply unlock your iPhone and navigate to the Settings app > General > About > Model Name.
   • iPhone 14
   • iPhone 14 Plus
   • iPhone 14 Pro
   • iPhone 14 Pro Max
   • iPhone 13
   • iPhone 13 mini
   • iPhone 13 Pro
   • iPhone 13 Pro Max
   • iPhone 12
   • iPhone 12 mini
   • iPhone 12 Pro
   • iPhone 12 Pro Max
   • iPhone 11
   • iPhone 11 Pro
   • iPhone 11 Pro Max
   • iPhone XS
   • iPhone XS Max
   • iPhone XR
   • iPhone SE (2nd generation or later)

2. Create a Backup of Your iPhone (Pick 1 of 2 Options)
   
   Option 1 - Back Up Your iPhone to iCloud

   1. Before initiating an iCloud backup I recommend plugging your iPhone into a power source.

   2. Open the Settings app.

   3. Tap on your Apple ID profile at the top and tap iCloud.

   4. Scroll down and select iCloud Backup.

   5. If it's not already enabled, tap the Back Up This iPhone toggle. The toggle will be green when enabled.

   6. If you haven’t previously enabled iCloud Backup, you may receive a warning message that your device will no longer automatically back up when connected to your computer.

   7. If this warning message pops up, tap OK.

   8. Enter your iCloud password if prompted.

   9. It’s best to use a stable and trusted Wi-Fi connection for iCloud backups, since they are large files. If your iPhone is not connected to Wi-Fi (and you don’t have cellular backups enabled) the Back Up Now option will be gray, and you won’t be able to back up your iPhone to iCloud.

   Option 2 - Back Up Your iPhone to Your Computer

   1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac computer using the charging cable and click Allow to allow access. (If you have a Windows computer you can contact me for more info.)

   2. Unlock your iPhone using Face ID or your device passcode.

   3. Open a Finder window, and under Locations in your sidebar, click on your iPhone.
   4. Click Trust.
   5. Make sure you are on the General tab.

   6. Your iPhone backup will not include Health and Activity data unless you check Encrypt local backup.

   7. Click Back Up Now to initiate a manual, local backup of your iPhone to your Mac. This will not interfere with your automatic backup settings or change them.

   8. Watch the status indicator next to your iPhone in the sidebar. Don't unplug your iPhone until the process is complete!

3. Free Up Storage Space On Your iPhone
   Updates usually take between 2-5 gigabytes of storage space. I recommend clearing at least 5 gigabytes so you have plenty of room. iPhones perform poorly when they’re very full, so it’s worth clearing out some space.

   To see how much space you have, navigate to: Settings > General > iPhone Storage.

4. Charge Your iPhone and Leave It Plugged In

   It’s best to have a full battery or a stable power supply when installing an update. It would be very bad for the device if the battery died while in the middle of an operating system update!

5. Connect to Wi-Fi with a Stable Internet Connection

   The update is usually about 2-5 gigabytes, which can take 20 minutes to several hours to download depending on your network connection. During the download you can continue using your iPhone (though you should stay connected to Wi-Fi) but once it’s finished downloading it will need to be installed, and during the install process the iPhone can’t be used.

6. You’re Ready! Initiate the Update

   Navigate to Settings > General > Software Updates. If you have Automatic Updates toggled on, Apple claims it will install software updates at night if you’re connected to Wi-Fi and a power source. However, I recommend manually installing iOS 17 by tapping Install Now and then following the on-screen prompts. I usually wait a day or two after it is available to make sure there are no glitches. Manually updating ensures you get the update as soon as you want it, as Apple tends to wait weeks or even up to a month to roll out the new iOS to devices with auto- update enabled.

7. Expect It to Take a While!

   iOS updates usually take around half an hour, but might go much slower than that if you have to download the update over a spotty connection, or if your device is one of the older models that support the update. Expect to leave your phone alone for a while. Also, expect that your device will reboot automatically during the update.
   
   
   Just remember, if you find all this a little too overwhelming or you don’t know where to start, I am always here to help.