Essential iPhone Pre-Update Checklist: 11 Steps to Protect Your Data Before Installing iOS Updates

Installing an iOS update without proper preparation can lead to data loss, app compatibility issues, or device problems that take hours to fix. This 15-minute checklist ensures your iPhone is ready for a smooth update, protecting your data and preventing common installation problems.

What is Pre-Update Preparation?

Pre-update preparation is the process of backing up your data, checking compatibility, and optimizing your iPhone’s settings before installing a new iOS version. This involves creating backups, freeing storage space, updating apps, and ensuring your device has sufficient battery and a stable internet connection. Proper preparation prevents the most common update failures and ensures you can recover your data if something goes wrong during installation.

[Current as of: iOS 17 - January 2024]

Why Follow This Pre-Update Checklist?

• Prevents permanent data loss - Backups let you restore photos, messages, and app data if the update fails or causes problems
• Avoids installation failures - Ensuring sufficient storage space and battery prevents interrupted updates that can brick your device
• Identifies compatibility issues early - Checking app compatibility before updating helps you plan for essential apps that might break
• Saves troubleshooting time - A prepared device updates smoothly in 20-45 minutes versus hours spent fixing problems from rushed updates

Important Considerations

• Time investment - The complete checklist takes 10-15 minutes, plus backup time (10-30 minutes for iCloud, potentially longer for computer backups)
• Storage requirements - You need 5-10GB of free space for the update file itself, which may require deleting content first
• App compatibility risks - Some older apps may stop working after major iOS updates; critical apps like banking or work tools should be verified beforehand
• Update size and duration - iOS updates typically download 3-6GB and take 20-45 minutes to install; plan accordingly and don’t interrupt the process

Pre-Update Checklist: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

1. Check device compatibility and current iOS version Go to Settings > General > About and note your current iOS version. Then visit Apple’s official iOS page (apple.com/ios) to confirm your iPhone model supports the latest version. Older models like iPhone 8 and earlier may not support the newest iOS releases.

2. Free up storage space for the update Navigate to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Check the available space at the top—you need at least 5-10GB free. If storage is insufficient, tap on large apps to delete them, enable “Offload Unused Apps,” or move photos to iCloud Photo Library.

3. Update all apps to their latest versions Open the App Store, tap your profile icon (top right), and scroll down to see pending updates. Tap “Update All” to install the latest versions. This prevents compatibility issues after the iOS update, as app developers often release updates specifically for new iOS versions.

4. Verify critical app compatibility For essential apps (banking, authenticators, work apps), visit their App Store pages and read recent reviews. Look for comments mentioning the new iOS version. If you see widespread compatibility complaints, consider delaying your update until the app is patched.

5. Create an iCloud backup Connect to Wi-Fi, then go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup. Tap “Back Up Now” and wait for completion (10-30 minutes depending on data volume). Verify the backup completed successfully by checking the date and time under “Last Backup.”

6. Alternative: Create a computer backup (recommended for complete protection) Connect your iPhone to a Mac or Windows PC using a USB cable. On Mac (macOS Catalina or later), open Finder; on Windows or older Macs, open iTunes. Select your device, click “Back Up Now,” and check “Encrypt local backup” to include passwords, Health data, and HomeKit settings. Wait for completion.

7. Charge your iPhone to at least 50% Check your battery level in Settings > Battery or in the status bar. iOS updates require at least 50% battery to begin installation. Ideally, connect your iPhone to a charger and keep it plugged in throughout the entire update process to prevent interruption.

8. Connect to a reliable Wi-Fi network Go to Settings > Wi-Fi and ensure you’re connected to a stable, private network (not public Wi-Fi). The update download is typically 3-6GB and can take 10-30 minutes depending on your connection speed. Cellular data updates are not available for major iOS versions.

9. Disable Low Power Mode temporarily Navigate to Settings > Battery and turn off “Low Power Mode” if it’s enabled (the toggle will be green when on). Low Power Mode can interfere with the update installation process by restricting background activities needed for proper installation.

10. Document your important settings Take screenshots of your home screen layout, widget arrangements, and any custom settings in frequently-used apps. Press the Side button and Volume Up simultaneously (iPhone X and later) or Home and Side button together (iPhone 8 and earlier) to capture screenshots. This helps you restore your preferred setup if the update resets anything.

11. Install the iOS update Go to Settings > General > Software Update. If the new version is available, tap “Download and Install” (or “Install Now” if already downloaded). Enter your passcode when prompted, agree to the terms, and let the process complete—typically 20-45 minutes. Your iPhone will restart several times; don’t interrupt it.

Post-Update Success

After completing this checklist and installing your iOS update, your iPhone will restart with the new version fully installed and your data intact. Take a few minutes to explore new features, verify your important apps work correctly, and confirm your settings remain as expected. If you encounter any issues, you can restore from the backup you created in steps 5 or 6. Most users experience smooth updates when following this preparation process, avoiding the common pitfalls that affect rushed installations.

Following this 11-step checklist before updating iOS protects your data, prevents installation failures, and ensures a smooth upgrade experience. The 15-minute preparation time is a small investment that can save hours of troubleshooting and prevent permanent data loss from update problems.