Fixed: Unable to Check for Update on iPhone

The “Unable to Check for Update” message doesn’t tell you much. It simply says an error occurred and asks you to try again. You do and the same message returns.

Here, you’ll learn why you see “Unable to Check for Updates” on iPhone and how to fix it easily. We’ll explore both simple fixes and advanced solutions (like Passvers iOS System Recovery). By the end, you’ll be able to check for and install updates directly on your iPhone without interruptions.

Why Is iPhone Showing Unable to Check for Update

There are actually several reasons for the “Unable to Check for Update” error to show up:

• Poor or no internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular).
• Apple’s update servers also goes down. Their backend sometimes faces short maintenance or downtime. When that happens, the update screen simply shows this message.
• Device compatibility is also a cause. You will see news of a new iOS version online, but it may not support your model. For example, the latest iOS 26 only works on iPhone XR and newer. Models like iPhone 8, X, or earlier won’t receive this update.
• Your iPhone is jailbroken.
• Incorrect date or time settings. When your regional clock or network settings are corrupted, the update request can’t reach Apple’s servers.
• VPNs, proxies, or restricted Wi-Fi networks block those connections altogether.
• A bad or incomplete leftover update file saved in storage.

Necessary Checks Before Fixing iPhone Unable to Check for Update

Before doing anything complicated, verify the basics:

1. Check Apple Server Status

If Apple’s update servers are down or under maintenance, your iPhone won’t be able to check for updates, which is completely outside your control. You’ll just have to wait for Apple to fix it.

To Confirm Apple Server Status:

• Go to the official Apple System Status page.
• Look for Software Update under the list of services.

It should show “Available” in green. If it’s orange or yellow, it means there’s an outage on Apple’s end.

2. Check iPhone Network Connection

Next, check your iPhone’s network connection. Keep in mind that many older iOS versions do not allow updates over mobile data. So, a stable Wi-Fi connection is far better for both checking and downloading updates. Go to Settings › Wi-Fi and make sure:

• Wi-Fi is turned on.
• You’re connected to a working network — a blue check mark should appear next to it.

On iOS 17 and later, Apple lets you use Cellular Data to check and install updates. So, ensure cellular data is turned on when you don’t have WiFi.

3. Check Date & Time on iPhone

Incorrect date or time settings can block Apple’s server communication entirely. You can set it to automatic.

To do this:

• Go to Settings.
• Tap General.
• Select Date & Time.
• Turn on the switch for Set Automatically.

How to Fix Unable to Check for Update on iPhone

If the issue isn’t fixed after trying the quick checks, follow the solutions below to get your iOS update check back to normal.

Fix 1. Force Reboot iPhone

At times, iPhone’s background systems, like network checkers or cache, get stuck. That’s when you see the Unable to Check for Update error.

A force reboot or hard restart allows the device to momentarily shut down everything and clear such hung tasks. You will have to use your iPhone’s physical buttons to trigger the force reboot. The steps will depend on your model:

For iPhone with Face ID(iPhone 8 or Later):

• Quick tap Volume Up.
• Quick tap Volume Down.
• Then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.

For iPhone 7/7 Plus:

Hold the Side and Volume Down buttons together for about 10 seconds. When the Apple logo appears, release right after.

For iPhone 6s or Older (Including SE 1st Generation):

Keep both the Home and Top/Side buttons pressed until the Apple logo flashes.

When the device powers back up, revisit the update screen to check once more.

Fix 2. Disable VPN and DNS

If you have installed VPN or configured DNS on your iPhone, you could try to turn off or clear them. Some Reddit users reported that this fixed the issue.

If there’s a VPN profile, you can disable it temporarily. For this: tap its name in the VPN & Device Management menu and toggle the switch off.

If the issue still persists, delete the VPN app itself for a while so it doesn’t reinstall the configuration after reboot. Here’s how:

• Long-press the VPN icon on the home screen.
• Select Remove App. 
• Tap Delete App to confirm.

You can also adjust your DNS manually. Sometimes, custom settings don’t play well with Apple’s servers. To change it to “Automatic”:

• Go to Settings and open the Wi-Fi section.
• Next to your connected network, tap the info icon.
• Select Configure DNS.
• If it’s set to Manual, switch to Automatic.

Fix 3. Reset iPhone Network

If there are deeper problems, such as Wi-Fi authentication bugs and DNS conflicts, it’s better to reset all network settings.

This acts like a master solution for the Unable to Check for Update error because it resets most things that could be causing it, including the current Wi-Fi and DNS settings, VPN profiles, and other such configurations.

However, remember that along with that, other saved connections will also go, such as paired Bluetooth devices. Your carrier settings and personal data, though, will remain intact. Here’s the method you have to follow:

• Open Settings.
• Tap General.
• Scroll down and select Transfer or Reset iPhone.
• Choose Reset. From the list, tap Reset Network Settings.
• Enter your device passcode when asked.
• Tap Reset Network Settings again to confirm.

Your iPhone will reboot normally. Once it starts up, reconnect to your Wi-Fi network and check for software updates again. It should now detect the available version without trouble.

Fix 4. Troubleshooting iOS

When the issue runs deeper than network or cache errors, you can use an iOS repair tool like Passvers iOS System Recovery. It repairs the internal firmware components that block iOS updates and trigger the “Unable to Check for Update” error.

Passvers offers three modes of repair. The Quick Fix and Standard Mode — for lightweight repair. Both handle system-level faults without affecting your data. When Passvers detects a more serious issue, you can use Advanced Mode which handles stubborn faults.

The best part is that Passvers automatically scans and detects the errors behind the update failure. With just one click, it will solve the problem. After it completes, your iPhone can reconnect to Apple’s update servers without any errors.

Fix with Passvers iOS System Recovery

Step 1 Install and Run Passvers on Computer

Download and install Passvers iOS System Recovery on your Windows or Mac computer. Open the tool and click Start.

Step 2 Fix iOS with Basic Mode

Connect your iPhone to the computer. Once detected, its model and iOS details will appear. Click Free Quick Fix to begin.

Step 3 Proceed with iOS Repair with Advanced Mode

If the issue persists, you can move on to Standard Mode and Advanced Mode.

1. Enter Recovery Mode as shown on the screen.

2. Next, download the correct firmware package. This will repair the software issue.

3. Allow the repair to start.

Once the process completes, your iPhone powers back on. From there, you can continue checking for updates directly on your iPhone.

Fix 5. Delete iOS Update Files

Sometimes, previously downloaded iOS updates can get stuck and these leftover files can block new update checks. You can safely delete these old installers. Here’s how to do it:

• Open Settings.
• Tap General > iPhone Storage.
• Scroll down and find the downloaded iOS software update file.
• Tap it and select Delete Update.
• Confirm when prompted.

Afterward, return to Settings > General > Software Update and tap Check for Update. Your iPhone will scan again and display the latest iOS version.

Fix 6. Turn off iPhone Passcode

iPhone’s passcode can also interfere and trigger the Unable to Check for Update message. Many users on Apple Communities have shared that turning the passcode off helps, especially when it’s been changed recently. So, you can momentarily turn it off:

Step 1: Open Settings.

Step 2: Tap Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode/Passcode on older iPhones).

Step 3: Enter your current passcode.

Step 4: Scroll down and select Turn Passcode Off.

Step 5: Confirm when prompted.

Once done, check for updates again. It often clears the error instantly. You can enable the passcode again right after the update check succeeds.

Fix 7. Update iOS with iTunes/Finder

iTunes or Finder also lets you update iOS. As they connect to Apple’s servers through your computer, they can sidestep glitches on the phone.

Of course, this isn’t a long-term fix. Ideally, you’d want on-device updates to work normally. That’s why Passvers iOS System Recovery is recommended: it fixes the underlying software loop for good.

Still, you can use iTunes/Finder right now. So, do this:

• On your computer, open iTunes or Finder.
• Connect your iPhone with a cable.
• Select your device by going to the General (Finder) or Summary (iTunes) tab.
• Click Check for Update.



• You’ll see a pop-up showing the latest iOS version available for your iPhone model. That’s the update check. If you want to go ahead and install it too, click Download and Update.

  

• The process will begin right away. Once it’s completed, your iPhone will restart with the latest version installed.

  

How to Install iOS After Checking for Updates on iPhone

Your iPhone should be able to check for updates normally now. Here’s how to manually check and install them:

Preps:

• Connect to a stable Wi-Fi.
• Keep at least 5–10 GB of free storage.
• Battery above 50%.
• Confirm that Screen Time (especially Content & Privacy Restrictions) is not limiting system changes.

Steps to Manually Install the Update in Settings:

• Open Settings.
• Go to General > Software Update.
• This time, the screen will show the available iOS version instead of the “Unable to Check for Update” error.
• You’ll see two options — Install Now or Install Tonight. Choose your option and enter your device passcode.
• Accept the Terms and Conditions.

After a few restarts, go back to the Software Update menu — it will now show the iOS is up to date message.

Conclusion

Now that the “Unable to Check for Update” error is fixed, you can install updates directly on your iPhone without issues. We’ve shown you every reliable method.

Passvers iOS System Recovery is helpful when you wan to fix “update errors” for good. It can identify and resolve the issue on its own. Beyond this, Passvers can handle over 50 iOS-related problems and remains simple enough for anyone to operate.