Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Mobile
  3. Guides

How to download iOS 15 right now

Mark Jansen
By
Promotional logo for WWDC 2023.
This story is part of our complete Apple WWDC coverage

iOS 15 has finally hit its final release, so if public betas weren’t your thing, now is the time to update your iPhone. A solid upgrade for iOS, iOS 15 brings big FaceTime improvements, a new Focus mode with upgraded notifications, and a deeper embedding of artificial intelligence (A.I.) to your Apple iPhone.

Now that iOS 15 is available to everyone, you probably want to know how to download it. Here’s how you can download iOS 15, including the best practice steps and which phones are actually eligible.

Recommended Videos

Compatible devices

The good news is that you don’t need a particularly new iPhone to get access to iOS 15. True to form, the iOS 15 upgrade encompasses a broad number of devices, with the iPhone 6S continuing to impress with its longevity. You can download iOS 15 on the following devices:

Back up before you begin

So, you’ve got your eligible iPhone ready — but before you start on the iOS 15 road, make sure to back your device up first. That way, if data is lost, you can quickly and easily restore it with your backup. We have a guide on how to back up an iPhone, but we’ve also put these instructions down below.

Related

Backing up using iCloud

iCloud is probably the easiest way to back up your iPhone because you don’t need to attach any cables. All you need is an internet connection.

Step 1: Connect to a Wi-Fi network.

Step 2: Head to your Settings app, then select your name.

Step 3: Tap iCloud. If you’re on iOS 10.2 or earlier, you’ll have to scroll down and tap iCloud.

Step 4: Scroll down and select iCloud Backup > Back Up Now. If you’re on iOS 10.2 or earlier, just tap Backup and it’ll work its magic.

You can check the backup by heading to Settings, hitting iCloud > iCloud Storage > Manage Storage, and tapping on your device from the list.

Backing up on a Mac running MacOS Catalina and newer

MacOS Back Up iPhone Now
Image used with permission by copyright holder

MacOS 10.15 Catalina did away with iTunes, but backing up on Mac is still easy.

Step 1: Connect your iPhone or iPod Touch to your Mac.

Step 2: Follow the on-screen instructions to enter your device passcode or Trust This Computer.

Step 3: Open Finder, and use the sidebar to select your iPhone.

Step 4: Hit General > Back Up Now to manually back up.

Backing up on a Mac or PC with iTunes

iTunes Windows 10 Back Up Now
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you’re using an older Mac or a Windows PC, you’ll have to use iTunes to back up your iPhone or iPod Touch.

Step 1: Make sure iTunes is up-to-date and connect your device.

Step 2: Follow the on-screen instructions to Trust This Computer or enter your device passcode.

Step 3: Select your iPhone or iPod Touch from the iTunes menu.

Step 4: Hit Back Up Now to save your data.

Downloading and installing iOS 15

iPhones with ios 15.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Done all of that? Good job, you’re now ready to get started downloading and installing the new update. Thankfully, that’s not hard at all.

Step 1: Go to Settings > General > Software Update.

Step 2: Tap Download and Install, enter your passcode, and wait for the update to download and install.

Step 3: Your device will restart during the process, so make sure to keep an eye on it and follow any prompts it brings up.

Congratulations! When your phone restarts, you’ll be running iOS 15. Have fun, and enjoy exploring all of the new features. Interested to know what to expect? Here’s our dive into all the new features of iOS 15.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Mark Jansen
Mark Jansen
Contributor
Mark Jansen is an avid follower of everything that beeps, bloops, or makes pretty lights. He has a degree in Ancient &…
We now know when Apple is adding RCS to the iPhone
The iPhone 14 Plus held in a man's hand.

Last November, Apple made a surprise announcement when it confirmed that RCS was coming to the iPhone in 2024. It's something iPhone and Android phone users alike have been waiting years for, but there was just one small problem: Apple never said when in 2024 RCS was coming. Thanks to Google, of all companies, we now have a better idea of when RCS is heading to the iPhone.

As spotted by 9to5Google, the Android website was recently updated with a new page dedicated to Google Messages. If you click on the "See more features" button for the section talking about RCS, there's a section titled "Better messaging for all" with the following text: "Apple has announced it will be adopting RCS in the fall of 2024. Once that happens, it will mean a better messaging experience for everyone."

Read more
The most common iPhone 15 problems and how to solve them
The iPhone 5 and iPhone 15 Pro Max volume buttons.

Apple iPhone 15 Plus (left) and Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

You rely on your iPhone 15 for everything. That includes music, movie, and TV show streaming, banking, smart home controls, calendars, reminders, and timers — which is only scratching the surface. Apple’s iOS namesake is faster, more durable, and packed with plenty of power, but that doesn’t mean it can’t run into trouble now and then. Not to worry though: for when a smartphone presents an issue, there’s usually a way to fix it. 

Read more
iOS 18 could add a customization feature I’ve waited years for
iOS 17 interactive widgets on an iPhone 15 Pro Max.

iOS 18 is coming later this year, and all signs point to it being a dramatic iPhone update. Now, thanks to one new report, it looks like iOS 18 could add a customization feature I've been waiting years and years and years for: better home screen customization.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, iOS 18 will introduce a "more customizable" home screen. More specifically, iOS 18 will allow you to place app icons and widgets anywhere you want. If you want a space or break between an app icon or your widget, welcome to the future: iOS 18 may finally let you do that. MacRumors corroborated this report with its own sources, too.

Read more