How to update your iPhone

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Apple releases updates for the iPhone throughout the year, with a major update every fall. The major update is timed with the release of that year’s iPhone range.

Well, iOS 17.4 is here, with tweaks to autocorrect, and many other requested features.

This begs the question: How do you update your iPhone to iOS 17.4, and what do those updates do?

The smaller updates introduce new features that didn’t make it into the major release, as well as security patches and bug fixes.

Major updates, on the other hand, provide a comprehensive overhaul, transitioning your iOS from an older version to the latest one.

You can manually update iOS on your iPhone or let the iPhone do it automatically. The best way to keep your iPhone secure from attack is to keep it updated, so we’ll show you how.

How to update your iPhone

If you are ready to update your iPhone, follow the steps below. This works for any update, whether it is a minor update or a major one.

Before you start, it’s worth checking if your iPhone is compatible. Every iPhone since the iPhone X is compatible, so think about possibly upgrading if you are on an older model.

1. Open Settings Tap on the Settings app.

2. Navigate to General Tap on the General category.

3. Open Software Update Tap on Software Update.

4. Select the update Upgrade to iOS 17.4 Apple decoupled major updates from security ones, so tap the Upgrade to iOS 17.4 banner at the bottom.

5. Download the update A smartphone displaying the ios 17. 4 software update screen with the option to ‘download and install’. The update offers improvements to phone, messages, facetime, and other features. The phone is centered on a purple background. Tap on the Download and Install button.

6. Confirm the install Tap on Install, then wait for the iPhone to finish updating and reboot itself.

7. And you’re done An iphone displaying its software update settings screen with ios 17. 4 downloaded, and a message indicating that “ios is up to date” on a purple background. Once the iPhone reboots, you should be on iOS 17.4.

Pro Tip

While you’re still on the update menu, tap on Automatic Updates and make sure that both toggles next to Download iOS Updates and Install iOS Updates are green. By doing this, you’ll never have to update your iPhone again manually.

Now you’ve got your iPhone updated to the latest version, iOS 17.4, patching out those nasty vulnerabilities that could have let attackers get into your device and bringing all the latest features.

That wasn’t hard, was it? Are there any other iPhone tips and tricks you’d like to see? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Joe Rice-Jones

Maker, meme-r, and unabashed geek with nearly half a decade of blogging experience at KnowTechie, SlashGear and XDA Developers. If it runs on electricity (or even if it doesn't), Joe probably has one around his office somewhere, with particular focus in gadgetry and handheld gaming. Shoot him an email at joe@knowtechie.com.