How to Update Your iPhone in 6 Steps

Three things to handle before you touch a single setting. Back the phone up to iCloud or your computer so nothing is lost if the update hiccups. Plug it into a charger or wall outlet because iOS will refuse to install if the battery is low. And make sure you are on Wi-Fi, not cellular - the download can be several gigabytes.

Watch at 0:13 for the prep checklist Apple shows on screen.

From the home screen, tap the gray gear icon labeled Settings. If a red badge with a number is sitting on top of the icon, that is iOS telling you an update is already waiting. You can tap straight into it from the badge if you want, but going through Settings the regular way works the same.

Watch at 0:40 to see where the Settings icon lives.

Inside Settings, scroll down and tap General. On the next screen, Software Update sits near the top with a small red badge if an update is ready. Tap it. The phone will check for the newest iOS version and show you what is available.

If you see a Software Update alert at the very top of the Settings screen (above your name), you can tap that instead and skip General entirely.

iOS now checks for the latest update and shows two ways to install it: a blue Update Now button and an Update Tonight link just below. Update Now downloads and installs right away. Update Tonight waits until your iPhone is plugged in and locked overnight, then handles the whole thing in your sleep. Both end with the same updated iOS, just different timing.

If you don't have time for a 15-20 minute restart, Update Tonight is the easy call. Watch at 1:12 to see Apple show the two options side by side.

Tap the blue Update Now button. Choose Update Tonight instead if you would rather let it run while you sleep - same result, no waiting. iOS will ask for your passcode, and then it may show terms and conditions to scroll through and accept. After that the download starts and the phone takes over.

The whole install runs about 15 to 20 minutes. Your iPhone will restart by itself once it is finished. Do not unplug it during the restart.

While you are still on the Software Update screen, tap Automatic Updates at the top. Flip both toggles on - Download iOS Updates and Install iOS Updates. From now on, your iPhone downloads new iOS versions in the background and installs them overnight when it is plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi.

You will still get a notification before anything installs, so nothing happens behind your back. This is the setting that means you will not be reading this guide again next year.