Running into trouble when updating your iPhone XR? Even if everything seems to meet all the usual requirements, some devices just refuse to play ball and won’t let you install the latest iOS version. Happens more often than you’d think—especially if the update is a major one or if someone’s been tinkering with beta profiles or settings. The good news is, there are a few quick tricks to get around the stubbornness. This stuff’s been tested across different setups, so hopefully one of these fixes gets you back on track without too much hassle.
How to Troubleshoot and Fix iPhone XR Update Problems
Fix 1: Update via Finder or Apple Devices on Mac/PC
This method is kind of weird, but sometimes connecting the iPhone to a computer via Finder (on Mac) or a dedicated app on Windows can bypass some glitches in the OTA update process. For instance, if the update refuses to initiate directly on the device, updating through a computer can do the trick. On some setups, this works after a reboot or two, on others… not so much. Anyway, here’s how to try it.
For MacBook users ~
- Plug in the iPhone to your MacBook using a Lightning cable.
- Open Spotlight Search (⌘ + Space) and type Finder, then launch the app.
- In Finder’s sidebar, find and select your iPhone. If prompted with a trust message, confirm it on both the Mac and the iPhone.
- With your iPhone connected, in Finder, go to the General tab and click Check for Update.
- Click Download and Update—this sometimes triggers the update process when direct OTA fails.
Note: On some machines, this process might not work on the first try. Reboot the Mac and/or iPhone if necessary, then give it another shot.
For Windows PC users ~
- Download and install the Apple Devices app from Microsoft Store. This is a new-ish way to manage iDevices on Windows.
- Connect your iPhone XR to the PC using a Lightning or USB-C cable.
- Open the Apple Devices app — you might need to trust the connection on your iPhone (tap Trust when prompted).
- Once connected, select your device from the list and go to the General tab or look for an update section.
- Hit Check for Update and see if the app allows you to install the latest iOS version directly from there.
This approach can sometimes bypass issues that block OTA updates on the device itself. Of course, sometimes it’s just… hit or miss.
Fix 2: Free Up Your iPhone’s Storage and Retry
Seems obvious, but if your iPhone XR doesn’t have enough free space, it’s like asking a full belly to do some heavy lifting—won’t happen smoothly. Usually, you want at least 5-10 GB free for a major update. Check out Settings > General > iPhone Storage and see what’s hogging space. Clear out old pics, apps you don’t use, or even delete some large files from Photos or Files. Once you’ve got enough space, give the update another shot.
Fix 3: Force Restart and Retry
This one’s a classic, but honestly, sometimes just hard-resetting the device can nudge the update along if it’s stuck. It’s not foolproof, but it’s easy enough. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button, then do the same with Volume Down. Next, hold the Power button until the Apple logo pops up. You might see this as a last-ditch effort when the update is being stubborn. After that, try again—fingers crossed it works now.
Fix 4: Disable iOS Beta Updates
If your iPhone is enrolled in a beta program, sometimes it causes conflicts or bugs that prevent successful updates. To fix this, head to Settings > General > Software Update, then scroll down to check if you’re on a beta profile. If so, turn off the beta updates—go to Profile > iOS Beta Software Profile and remove it. Reboot your phone and try the update again. Maybe Apple broke something in the beta cycle, and switching back to the stable release clears the path.