Trying to update your iPhone XS Max wirelessly but nothing happens? Whether the update fails to download, gets stuck, or never shows up at all, there are a few common culprits — most of which you can fix yourself.
Here’s how to troubleshoot your iPhone XS Max if it won’t install the latest iOS update via OTA.
Check If You Have Enough Free Storage
Even though the iPhone XS Max has plenty of storage, a nearly full device can block an iOS update from installing. Some apps may even misreport available space.
- Go to Settings → General → iPhone Storage and check if you have at least 5–6 GB free.
- If not, delete unused apps, large videos, or offload unused data.
Toggle Wi-Fi Off and Back On
A quick Wi-Fi refresh often clears minor connection bugs that interfere with OTA updates.
- Go to Settings → Wi-Fi.
- Turn Wi-Fi off, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.
- Reconnect to your network and try updating again via Settings → General → Software Update.
Reboot Your iPhone (Soft Reset)
Sometimes the system just needs a quick reboot to clear glitches.
- Hold the Side button + Volume Up/Down until “Slide to Power Off” appears.
- Slide to turn off your iPhone.
- After 30 seconds, turn it back on by holding the Side button.
Forget Your Wi-Fi Network and Reconnect
A corrupted network profile can block updates. Forget and reconnect to reset the Wi-Fi handshake.
- Go to Settings → Wi-Fi.
- Tap the “i” next to your network.
- Tap Forget This Network → Confirm.
- Restart your phone.
- Reconnect to Wi-Fi from Settings → Wi-Fi.
Then try the update again.
Reset Network Settings
If you’re still having issues, reset all network settings to eliminate conflicts.
- Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Network Settings.
- Enter your passcode and confirm.
Your iPhone will reboot and remove all saved Wi-Fi networks, VPNs, and cellular settings. Reconnect to Wi-Fi and check again for updates.
Use iTunes to Update Your iPhone Instead
If OTA updates just won’t work, update via iTunes (or Finder on Mac).
- Open iTunes on a PC or Finder on macOS Catalina or later.
- Connect your iPhone using a Lightning cable.
- If prompted, tap Trust This Computer on your phone.
- Select your iPhone → In the Summary tab, click Restore iPhone (or Update, if available).
- Follow the prompts to install the latest iOS version.
This method also resets your device, so back up your data first.
Still Can’t Update?
If none of these steps work, here are a few possibilities:
- The iOS update hasn’t rolled out in your region yet.
- Apple’s update servers might be down or congested.
- There could be a carrier restriction affecting your OTA update.
Reach out to Apple Support or your carrier to verify if the update is available for your area and model.