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How Long Does iOS 18 Take to Install [NEW]

Here in this post, we are going to focus on how long does it take to update to iOS 18/17 and what to do if the update process is taking too long. If you want to update your iPhone/iPad, you can refer to this post and make your decision.

Author Avatar Joy Taylor Last Updated: Sep. 13, 2024

AnyFix – Update iOS 18 with Ease

If you are taking too long to update iOS 18, you can try AnyFix – iOS System Repair. It allows you to upgrade and downgrade your iOS 18 without iTunes quickly. Besides, AnyFix can get your iPhone back to normal from iOS update issues.

Free Download100% Clean & Safe

Free Download100% Clean & Safe

The latest iOS 18 released by Apple, is empowered with several AI features. Compared with the previous iOS versions, iOS 16/17 has packed other new features such as the customized iPhone lock screen, Focus schedules, Recover recently deleted messages, etc. Moreover, this new iOS version concentrates more on the apps that play a great role in our daily lives.

Update to a New iOS Version

Update to a New iOS Version

About the updating process, one issue that is questioned most is that some users reported that it takes forever to download the update. Then how long does it take to download iOS 18? Here in this post, we would like to focus on this issue. Telling you how long the iOS 18 update takes and what to do if your iPhone/iPad is stuck in downloading the update.

You May Like: How to Move Contacts to Your New iPhone >

How Long Does it Take to Update to A New iOS?

It is a little bit difficult to answer this question because the time it spends varies from device to device. We noted download the time it takes to update to iOS 18 and came up with the numbers below. Generally, updating your iPhone/iPad to a new iOS version takes about 30 minutes, the specific time is according to your internet speed and device storage. The sheet below shows the time it takes to update to the new iOS version.

Update Process Time
iOS 18 download 5-15 minutes
iOS 18 install 10-20 minutes
Set up iOS 18 1-5 minutes
Total update time 16 minutes to 40 minutes

If it takes too long for you to download an iOS update or the procedure is getting frozen midway, there might be some problems during the updating process. We answered the question – why is my update taking so long and listed some solutions for you, keep reading and learning more about it.

Certainly, every iPhone will not take the same time depending on different conditions. Still, we will show you how long the latest iOS 18 update takes, just as a reference only.

iOS 18 Software Update

iOS 18 Software Update

  1. Once I click the Download button, it will start estimating the time remaining, and then the progress bar shows. After the new iOS is downloaded, the Install Now button will be available. As you can see, the whole download process took me 15 minutes.
  2. Next, it took another 13 minutes to finish the update from clicking Install Now till the iPhone restarted, including setup. Total 28 minutes for this whole iOS update.

Why is My Update Taking so Long

When you’re preparing iPhone for a software update, you must make sure that you have a stable Wi-Fi connection and that cellular data is not working for an iOS software update. At the same time, you must keep the battery full or keep the USB cable connected. So if your iPhone is taking so long to update, here are some possible reasons listed below:

  • Unstable even unavailable internet connection.
  • USB cable connection is unstable or interrupted.
  • Downloading other files while downloading the iOS update files.
  • Unknown system issues.

For the above issues, you can check the following methods to fix whether the iPhone update is taking so long or can’t download the new iOS.

Also Read: How to Fix an Error Occurred after Installing New iOS >

How to Fix Unknown System Issues When iPhone is Taking Forever to Update

When an iPhone update takes forever to download, it means that you can’t update your iPhone normally. You might face iPhone won’t update problems as stuck on verifying update, stuck on preparing update, or iOS update requested, etc. Then, you can’t miss this complete iOS repair tool, which is AnyFix – iOS system repair. It can help you repair most system issues, update or downgrade iOS, including all these update problems to solve iPhone updates taking forever to download.

  • It can fix multiple iPhone problems, covering any type of stuck issue,  iPhone frozen & crashes, or others you may encounter.
  • 3 repair modes are provided to choose from based on how severe your problem is.
  • Update/downgrade iOS quickly without iTunes.
  • It’s compatible with all iPhone models and iOS versions, including the latest iPhone 16 series and iOS 18/iPadOS 18.

So now, just download AnyFix and update iOS 18 quickly and easily. Follow the steps below:

Free Download

Free Download

* 100% Clean & Safe

Update iOS 18 Quickly Using AnyFix

Step 1: Download and launch AnyFix on your Windows or Mac computer > Then choose Update/Downgrade iOS.

AnyFix Upgrade/Downgrade iOS Option

AnyFix Upgrade/Downgrade iOS Option

Step 2: Connect your iPhone to the Computer using a USB cable. Choose 1 Click to Update iOS/iPadOS from the screen and click Start Now.

AnyFix Upgrade iOS

AnyFix Upgrade iOS

Step 3: Then you can follow the on-screen instructions to update iOS 18 with AnyFix in a few minutes.

Upgrade Completed

Upgrade Completed

After updating, your iPhone will restart and perform data recovery to complete the system update.

Fix iOS 18 Taking Too Long to Install Due to System Issues

The iOS 18 taking too long to install can be caused by some system-related issues. In this case, you can use the AnyFix system repair feature to fix iPhone system in clicks. To fix iOS 18 taking to long to update issues:

Step 1. Launch AnyFix and choose System Repair. Connect your iPhone/iPad with a USB cable.

AnyFix System Repair Option

AnyFix System Repair Option

Step 2. Click Update Issues in the list.

AnyFix System Repair Update Issues

AnyFix System Repair Update Issues

Step 3. Choose Standard Repair to fix iPhone update issues, which will not cause data loss.

AnyFix Standard Repair

AnyFix Standard Repair

Step 4. Follow the instructions to finish the system repair on your device.

Repair Is Completed

Repair Is Completed

After repairing, your iPhone system will update to the latest version it supports. And you will not encounter the update issues next time.

Further Reading: How to Stop iPhone Update >

What to do Basically if iPhone Update Taking Forever to Download

Method 1. Force Restart Your Device

When your iPhone/iPad is stuck in the update process, your device might not get smooth by itself. This problem is usually caused by some tricky tweaks, simply force restart your iPhone could fix this out.

  • If you are using an iPhone 8/X/XS (Max)/XR/11, press and release the volume up key first, and then press and release the volume down key, at last press the power key until you see the Apple logo.

    iPhone 8/X/XS/XR Force Restart

    iPhone 8/X/XS/XR Force Restart

  • If you are using an iPhone 7/7 Plus, to force restart your iPhone, just press and hold the volume down key and power key at the same time until you see the Apple logo.

    iPhone 7/7 Plus Force Restart

    iPhone 7/7 Plus Force Restart

  • If you are using an iPhone 6/6 +/6s/6s + or an earlier model, you need to press and hold the home button and sleep button for at least ten seconds until the Apple logo appears.

    iPhone 6 Series and Earlier Model Force Restart

    iPhone 6 Series and Earlier Model Force Restart

Method 2. Check Your Internet Connection

Sometimes, an unstable network could make your iOS update process take too long. You must connect to a strong and stable network when you decide to start updating. So, what you must do is check the network settings very thoroughly right before the installation.

Check Wi-Fi Connection

Check Wi-Fi Connection

Go to Setting > WLAN, turn on your Wi-Fi if it is off; turn off, wait for a while and then turn it on again if it is on.

Method 3. Reset Network Settings

You can also reset the network to remove all the glitches that might have been creating hindrances in the network connection. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings to reset your internet. If asked, enter the passcode to confirm the selection. After that, restart the iPhone and download the update again.

Reset Network Settings

Reset Network Settings

Method 4. Check and Free Space on iPhone/iPad

Another possible reason why your iOS 18 update downloading process is frozen is that there is no enough space on your iPhone/iPad. The iOS 18 update requires at least 2GB storage, so if you find it is taking too long to download, go to check your device storage.

Go to Setting > General > iPhone Storage to check your storage, if you are low on storage, you can offload unused apps to free some space. After finishing free up space, try to download the iOS update file once again.

Check Storage Space

Check Storage Space

Method 5. Check Problems with the Apple Server

If the above 4 methods can’t fix the update taking so long or the update still isn’t complete, maybe you need to check problems with the Apple server. Generally, when new software is released, some stuck issues could happen. So you can wait, then remove and download the update again. Or, you can contact Apple Support to ask whether your device has a problem with the Apple server.

Bonus Tip: Backup your iPhone Before Updating to New iOS Version

If you decide to update your device to the new iOS version, please backup your data first to protect you from unexpected data loss. Then you can have a try with AnyTrans, which is a comprehensive iPhone data management software:

If you want to ensure some special data are safe, you can choose and transfer them to another iPhone/iPad, or Mac/Windows. Learn how to transfer your content from iPhone to iPhone.

If there isn’t enough empty storage space available on the device to install the update, it also can help you back up your iPhone completely. Then you can delete unnecessary data to free up space. Learn how to back up your iPhone with ease.

Back Up your Device with AnyTrans

Back Up your Device with AnyTrans

Now download AnyTrans, and make sure your iOS 18 is successfully updated.

Free Download

Free Download

* 100% Clean & Safe

The Bottom Line

That’s all about how long does the iOS 18/17 update take and what should you do if the updating process is taking too long. Hope that you can solve your problem and enjoy your iPhone/iPad with the newest iOS features.

Author Avatar
Joy Taylor Twitter Share Facebook Share

Senior writer of the iMobie team as well as an Apple fan, love to help more users solve various types of iOS & Android-related issues.

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