How to Update iPhone without iTunes

When it comes to performing tasks like updating the iOS version on an iOS device, iTunes is one possible choice to do the task. If you have been using an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch for yourself, you have likely used iTunes to backup as well as update the iOS version on your devices.

With the macOS Catalina doing away with iTunes, the day is not too far when Apple will discard the iTunes app for Windows machines as well. And if that ever happens, how would you update your iPhone without iTunes? Well, that is exactly the question that the following guide answers. Read ahead to get the answers.

What is the Latest Version of iOS?

Before you proceed, you might want to know the latest iOS version that is available for your device. It makes no sense to try and do the procedure only to realize that you already run the latest version of the operating system on your device.

As of this writing, the latest version of the iOS operating system is iOS 16 which will be rolled out by Apple in September and can be downloaded and installed on a number of iPhone and iPad models. As long as your device supports this version of iOS, you should be able to see the update and get it installed on your phone.

Why is iOS 16 Not Showing Up?

Based on our experience, when the new iOS 16 is out later, many people will find that iOS 16 not showing up on their iPhone. Firstly, make sure your iPhone supports the iOS 16 update (from iPhone 6s to iPhone 12). To fix the iOS 16 not showing up, you can manually check the update:

1. Go to Settings on your iPhone.
2. Tap on General > Then tap on Software Update.
3. It will start to search and check updates, and generally will show you the iOS 16 update.
4. Tap on Download and install.

Update iPhone on Computer without iTunes or WiFi

AnyFix – iOS System Recovery is a one-stop solution to fix various iOS/iPadOS/tvOS/iTunes issues in minutes. It can bring your Apple devices back to normal without data loss. Also, if your iPhone is unable to update, AnyFix can definitely help out the situation.

As a full-way iOS system repairer, AnyFix can solve other problems as iPhone won’t update, iPhone won’t update on iTunes, iPhone stuck on update screen, iPhone stuck on verifying update, etc. You can have a look at some of the main features of AnyFix to get a better understanding of it.

Now, you can follow the steps below to fix iPhone unable to check for updates.

Step 1. Download and install AnyFix on your computer. Then launch it on your computer > Choose Upgrade/Downgrade iOS.

Step 2. Connect your iPhone with Computer and choose 1 click to upgrade iOS/iPadOS > Tap on Start Now.

Step 3. AnyFix will download the latest version of the firmware on your computer. Click on the Download and then tap on Upgrade to go to the next step.

Step 4. Now you need to wait for a while. Once AnyFix finished the update process, you will see the Upgrade Completed on your computer.

Update iPhone without iTunes via Wi-Fi

With all the new exciting features in iOS 16, we are sure you cannot wait to get your device updated to this latest version of the operating system.

One of the ways you can update your iPhone to the latest iOS without iTunes is to update your iPhone over the air. That basically means connecting your iPhone to the Internet over WiFi and then getting the update downloaded and installed on the device directly. You are going to need a stable Internet connection and that is all, really.

1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone and tap on the option that says Wi-Fi. It will open your WiFi settings.
2. If it is the first time you use your iPhone, select the WiFi network from the list, enter the password to connect to it.
3. Head back to the main interface of the Settings app and tap on General. Then tap on Software Update on the following screen.
4. Wait while your iPhone checks for available updates. When an update is shown on your screen, tap on the option that says Download and Install. Your iPhone will automatically download the update for you and get it installed on your device. All you need to do is keep an eye on the update status to see when it finishes.

How to Update iPhone on Computer

There is another way to update your iPhone to the latest iOS version which does not fully depend on the iTunes app. It does use it to accomplish a few steps though so we cannot say that this is a completely iTunes-less method of updating iOS devices.

You are going to need a computer and an Internet connection to do this method.

1. Launch a browser and head over to the IPSW website from where you can download a firmware file for your device.
2. Select your iOS device model on the website and you will be presented with links to download firmware for your device. Click on the latest IPSW file to download it to your computer.
3. Plug in your iOS device to your computer and launch iTunes.
4. Select your device in iTunes and hold down Option (Mac) or Shift (Windows) and click on the Update button.

You will then be asked to choose the location of your IPSW file. When you have done that, your device will automatically begin to update to the latest version of iOS.

Bonus Tip. iOS 16 Troubleshooter

No matter how great the newest iOS system would be, some iPhone users have reported they had encountered some iOS issues after updating their iPhone to the latest iOS system. Therefore, how to fix some small bugs with a few clicks becomes surging.

AnyFix – iOS System Recovery, with professional problems solutions, can fix most iPhone system issues like stuck on a white Apple logo, freeze after the update, and iPhone stuck on verifying update screen, etc. Besides the system issues, it supports getting out of the iTunes issue with your ease.

The Bottom Line

Updating an iPhone without iTunes is totally possible as shown in the above guide. In fact, there are multiple ways to get your iOS device updated to the latest iOS without needing or partially needing the iTunes app. We recommend you download AnyFix and have a try.