If your iPhone 13 is showing a “Unable to Check for Update” error when you try to download the latest iOS version, you’re likely dealing with a network or system glitch. Don’t worry—this is usually fixable without much hassle.
Here’s how to get your iPhone 13 to check for updates again.
1. Close All Background Apps and Restart Your iPhone
Apps running in the background can sometimes cause update-related issues.
To force close apps:
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold to bring up the App Switcher
- Swipe up on each app preview to close them all
Then, reboot your iPhone:
- Press and hold the Side button + Volume Up/Down
- Drag the power slider to turn it off
- Wait 30 seconds, then hold the Side button until the Apple logo shows
After it restarts, go to Settings > General > Software Update and try again.
2. Refresh Your Internet Connection
OTA updates rely on a strong Wi-Fi connection. If your internet is spotty, here’s how to refresh it:
A. Toggle Wi-Fi Off and On
- Go to Settings > Wi-Fi
- Turn it Off, wait 5 seconds, then turn it On again
B. Try the Airplane Mode Trick
- Settings > Airplane Mode > ON
- Reboot your iPhone while it’s on
- After restarting, turn Airplane Mode OFF
C. Switch to Wi-Fi If Using Cellular
OTA updates don’t work over cellular data, so make sure your iPhone is on a Wi-Fi network, not just 5G or LTE.
3. Forget and Rejoin Your Wi-Fi Network
A corrupted Wi-Fi profile might be blocking the update process.
- Go to Settings > Wi-Fi
- Tap the “i” next to your connected network
- Tap Forget This Network
- Reconnect by selecting the network again and re-entering your password
Then try checking for the update again.
4. Reset All Settings (No Data Loss)
This resets system and network settings without deleting your photos or apps.
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone
- Tap Reset > Reset All Settings
- Enter your passcode and confirm
Your iPhone will reboot. Afterward, reconnect to Wi-Fi and try checking for the update again.
5. Double-Check These Settings
A. Set Date & Time Automatically
- Go to Settings > General > Date & Time
- Enable Set Automatically
Incorrect date/time can break Apple’s update checks.
B. Use Google’s DNS
- Go to Settings > Wi-Fi > Tap “i” on your network
- Tap Configure DNS > Manual
- Delete existing entries and add:
8.8.8.8and8.8.4.4
Then retry the update check.
6. Delete Any iOS Beta Profiles (If Present)
Beta profiles can block official iOS updates.
- Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management
- Tap any Beta Profile listed
- Tap Remove Profile, enter your passcode, and restart
Now go back to Settings > Software Update.
7. Try Updating with a Computer
If the problem seems specific to your iPhone:
- Connect your iPhone to a computer using a Lightning cable
- Open Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows)
- Select your iPhone and click Check for Update
This will download the update directly from Apple servers and install it.
8. Check Apple’s Server Status
Sometimes Apple’s update servers are down or overloaded. Visit Apple’s System Status page and look for iOS Software Update.
If it’s yellow or red, it’s a server-side issue. You’ll need to wait it out.