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How to fix iOS 15 update not showing up: 9 methods to try

It's annoying when iOS 15 is not showing up on iPhone or iPad. Here're some of the reasons, plus a few routes to get the iOS update installed and enjoy latest features.

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Elena Spencer Updated on Jul 26, 2022 7:28 PM
  • When iOS 15 update is not showing up, try checking update via Software Update in Settings, and then updating your iPhone to iOS 15.
  • An overcrowded Apple server, iOS 15 Beta Software Profile, or bugs with iOS device will prevent you from receiving an update with iOS 15.
  • Restarting iOS device, deleting beta profile, checking Apple system status and finding out if iOS 15 will work with your phone are some basic steps to get the update to show up.
  • You can also employ iOS System Recovery application when you don't see iOS update release, as it will find the system errors and correct your iPhone or iPad.

Have not enough space to update? Check your storage space in Settings > General > iPhone Storage.

iOS 15 has been rolled out to bring lengthy list of improvements for users to be able to enjoy a much better iPhone experience. Chances are you're going to migrate to iOS 15 but only to find that you're not seeing any of the latest iOS software update on your device. Some users reported that their iOS devices currently only have iOS 14.7 or 14.8 stating 'Your iPhone is up to date', and iOS 15 not showing up as an option to update.

There are several potential reasons update might be not available. Understanding what those causes are will help you determine what troubleshooting technique(s) to use, so you can avail the update on your device. In this article, we'll go over how to fix iOS 15 update not showing up issue on iPhone or iPad.

Why is iOS 15 update not showing up on iPhone or iPad?

Let's first find the root of your problem. Why won't the iOS update show up in Software Update? It could be that Apple server is down or crashed, or is too busy temporarily due to the heavy traffic. You can also look through everything from internet connection to random glitches in the device system to find the real ghost.

  • Apple server gets overloaded when millions of Apple users start installing the update at once, and thus it's often a delay for some devices receiving the newest software update.
  • Random system bugs appear from nowhere in an iPhone can cause this problem.
  • Apple delays sending updates or cut it off if your device stays with a poor network connection.
  • The presence of the beta version of iOS on your Apple device can also hinder the update from showing up.

How To Fix iOS 15 not showing up issue?

Before you do the fix, you'd better have your iPhone or iPad backed up. It's essential to preserve your important data before updating a new iOS on the device to safeguard against data loss during or after the update.

Follow these steps, in the order presented, to troubleshoot the problem with iPad or iPhone not showing its update and then install the latest update for your device.

Option 1: Check for iOS updates manually

The first step you need to work on is manually checking for iOS updates. Go to Settings > General > Software Update. Your phone starts searching for the latest updates and show you the iOS 15 update on your screen. Click on Download and install. Make sure your device is connected to Wi-Fi network.

Option 2: Reboot your phone

Performing a regular restart is a common solution for minor bugs. If this does not work, try to force restart the device to see if this could fix iOS 15 not showing up. iPhone 6, SE (1st gen) and other older models are not mentioned here as they're not compatible with iOS 15 software.

Force restart iPhone 8, SE (2nd, 3rd gen), and iPhone with Face ID:

Quickly press and release volume up button and do the same for volume down button, then press and hold the side button until Apple logo appears to restart.

Force restart iPhone 7 and 7 Plus:

Press and hold both volume down and sleep/wake buttons. Don't release them until you see the Apple logo appear on the screen.

Force restart iPhone 6s and 6s Plus:

Press and keep holding Home button and sleep/wake button at the same time until the screen flashes Apple logo.

Option 3: The ultimate solution to fix iOS 15 not showing up in iPhone & iPad

If the latest iOS version is still not showing up on your iPhone regardless of multiple manual checks, there might be some hidden bugs causing the mess.

iOS System Recovery is what you need at the moment. The tool is designed to eliminate all such glitches resulting in the absence of the update and best of all, it could install the latest firmware so your device runs the latest iOS 15.

The program comes with a user-friendly interface to be easily used by all Apple users. All you need to do is connect your device to computer, and with a few button commands, the software show a great efficiency on download the update for iPhone or iPad. You won't lose any data.

Download Now!

for Windows | for MacOS

Do the following:

  • Download iOS System Recovery and install it. Launch it.
  • Choose "More tools" at the bottom left corner, and then click on "iOS System Recovery" tab. Click Start button to proceed further.
  • Plug your Apple device into your computer. When it's detected, choose "Standard Mode", followed by Confirm button.
  • Choose the latest version of iOS from the list and download it.
  • Once downloaded, click Fix button to complete the rest of the job of solving iOS 15 update not showing up. Beware, the process can take several minutes, so patience is definitely required!

Video Tutorial:

Option 4: Remove Beta profile

Beta Profile is another cause the public iOS version not to show up. This appears that Software Update screen is saying your iPhone is up to date, but it's in iOS 14.7.

If you ever downloaded a beta version, you have to remove the beta profile, restart the phone and then check again for the proper update. To do this:

1. Open Settings. Tap General > VPN & Device Management.

2. Tap the iOS Beta Software Profile.

3. Tap Remove Profile. Don't forget to restart your phone.

Once iOS beta is cleared, you can easily update your iPhone when iOS 15 is available.

Option 5: Check if your device is compatible with iOS 15

This might be a little disappointing for some users, as whether or not you are able to update any iPhone or iPad to a newer version of iOS or iPadOS will be dictated by the device model. So, if you are waiting for the notification about the iOS 15 updates to pop up on your device, but it's not happening, make sure that your device is compatible with the latest update.

You can find which phone do you have here: Settings > General > About, and here's also a list of devices that iOS 15 is compatible with.

Option 6: Check the Apple server via System Status page

The issue isn't down to you, and your best option is to wait.

There's problem with the Apple server being overloaded. When millions of users download the update as soon as it's been newly released, outages for Apple Server will happen due to excess traffic. The software update will likely reach to you soon. Otherwise, you should try other solutions to bring back the update.

Option 7: Check network connection and turn off VPN

It may take up to two days for the Apple phones and tablet to receive the update. So don't worry if you do not see the update being available on its release date. Make sure you're not connected to a VPN network, and try updating again over Wi-Fi only.

[Don't Miss: The Tips on iPhone Disconnecting from Wi-Fi Network]

Option 8: Reset network settings

Every time you have update issue, resetting network settings to its default state might be helpful.

In Settings app, tap general, tap Transfer or Reset iPhone, tap Reset and choose Reset Network Settings. After, you need to configure your Wi-Fi network again to let the update show up.

Option 9: Connect your device to a computer to update manually

If that still does not help, try connecting to a computer to update manually.

In iTunes on PC or Mac with macOS 10.14 or earlier:

Step 1: Make sure you have the latest version of iTunes. Open it.

Step 2: Connect your device to computer.

Step 3: Once connected, click the tiny device icon at the top-left corner.

Step 4: Press Summary from the sidebar on the left.

Step 5: Click Check for Update to get the latest iOS version.

[Read Also: What to Do When iPad Won't Update]

In Finder on Mac with macOS 10.15 Catalina or higher:

Step 1: Open the Finder window on a Mac.

Step 2: Hook up your Apple device with the computer.

Step 3: Find your device on the left sidebar.

Step 4: Under General, hit Check for Update to download and install the latest update available.

The best ways to get iOS 15 update to show up when it's not

Updating iOS device to a newer iOS version is easy, but you don't have to be a tech savvy when you're not receiving this update or when there are no updates available. The basic techniques above are simple to operate and are effective to fix iOS 15 version not showing error on iPhone 6s and later.

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