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4 Ways on How to Update iPhone without WiFi

By Vernon Roderick, Last updated: March 1, 2020

Often times, we find ourselves suffering from a slow internet connection. Normally, we can tolerate such an issue, but not if you’re trying to update your iPhone. It would take a while to complete the update even with good internet. It will take days if we’re talking about an unstable WiFi.

Fortunately, there are ways to update iPhone without WiFi which will be a lot better than waiting forever to finish the update. But first, what are the situations that you’ll find yourself in where you’ll be forced to update without WiFi?

Why Should You Update iPhone without WiFiMethod #1: Update iPhone without WiFi through iTunesMethod #2: Update iPhone without WiFi via Cellular DataMethod #3: Update iPhone without WiFi via HotspotMethod #4: Update iPhone without WiFi Using Third-Party ToolPrevent Data Loss When Updating iPhoneBottom Line

Why Should You Update iPhone without WiFi

According to the Apple company, there are tons of benefits of updating your iPhone. Of course, this is already common knowledge to most users. However, it doesn’t change the fact that you might still encounter problems that can interrupt your plan to update your iPhone. Here’s a look at a couple of those issues:

  • Insufficient Disk Space. When you don’t have enough space on your phone’s internal or external storage, it would also mean that there’s no place for the update. Thus, it will reject your command to update the iPhone. Though it is a reason for the update to be interrupted, it is not reason enough for you to update iPhone without WiFi.
  • Excessive Update Time. The most common cause of people wanting to update iPhone without WiFi is when it takes too long for the update to finish by normal means. That’s why they look for other ways that might be less time-consuming.
  • Incomplete Update. This is an issue on most Apple products, or any program for that matter, wherein before the update reaches 100%, it will crash or get interrupted so that the update won’t finish completely and you’ll have to do it all over again.
  • Unable to Reach Server. This is the opposite of our third case since instead of stopping at the end, it will not execute the update in the first place saying that your device is unable to reach the server.

Of course, there are different methods to update iPhone without WiFi for each of these cases. However, we suggest that you at least know the prerequisite so you can update iPhone without WiFi, and that would be by removing the update:

  1. On your iPhone, head to the Settings.
  2. Next, go to General then your Storage.
  3. You will see here a list of files including the updates that were pre-downloaded. You will have to tap on Update first to see those kinds of files.
  4. Now select the update that you’re having trouble with, then tap on Delete Update.

This should remove any updates that are giving you trouble. This is crucial as it may deter the updating process that is your sole purpose for heading to this article. Now without further ado, let’s get to our first method.
Why Should You Update iPhone without WiFi

Method #1: Update iPhone without WiFi through iTunes

Our first entry features the use of iTunes in order to update iPhone without WiFi. Perhaps this would be the easiest and fastest out of all the methods as it makes use of a very effective tool, which is iTunes.

We all know of iTunes as the multimedia app. However, it may also be used as a management system. And one of the things it can do is prompt your iPhone to execute commands without directly using iPhone, and that includes doing updates. Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Connect your device to the computer. You may do this with any type of cable, as long as it is compatible with the iPhone and the computer.
  2. Open iTunes on the computer. Using the computer, launch the iTunes program which we will be using throughout the process. It should be the musical note icon on your desktop. Also, make sure that it is up-to-date with the latest version.
  3. Find Your Device. On the left panel of the window, you will see a menu bar filled with names of different devices. Locate your iPhone then click the icon for it.
  4. Check for Update. Now once your device is selected, the right panel will change and it will display information about the device. To proceed, you will have to locate and click on the Check for Update. There should be a prompt message. Simply click on Download and Update. Click on Agree if there’s another confirmation message. This will update your current operating system to the latest version which should take a while.

At this point, your iPhone should already be in its latest version. However, while it is technically a way to update iPhone without WiFi, you will be required to update using the internet connection of the computer. Thus, it is only applicable if your iPhone is the issue instead of the internet connection. If your scenario is of the latter, then the next method would be more suitable.

Method #2: Update iPhone without WiFi via Cellular Data

As said above, method #1 tackles the best action suitable for when your iPhone isn’t cooperating with the update. But what if the problem lies within your slow internet connection due to WiFi? Fortunately, there are other ways to connect to the internet, and that would be via Cellular Data. Here’s how you can use this kind of connection to update iPhone without WiFi:

  1. Turn on Cellular Data. On your device, head to your Settings. Now go to the Cellular and turn on the Data switch by tapping on the toggle. Now scroll down until you see the Use Cellular Data and make sure it is turned on so it may be used for updates.
  2. Conduct Update. Start by heading to your Settings. There, tap on General. Now, look for the option for Software Update then tap it. It will automatically check for updates and if there is an update, simply tap on Download and Install. Now all you have to do now is followed the onscreen instructions and wait for the process

On the other hand, while it may prove to be very effective, you will have to spend money on a data plan in order to pull this off. After all, it would consume lots of data from your plan. Additionally, it would take up more of your device’s battery. Either way, it’s a great way to update iPhone without WiFi in case you don’t have WiFi.
Update iPhone without WiFi via Cellular Data

Method #3: Update iPhone without WiFi via Hotspot

Another way to access the internet and update iPhone without WiFi is through a personal hotspot. This also follows the same concept as with the Cellular Data in a way that you’ll have to use up some of your resources to make this work.

However, this time, you will have to use an extra device which would be where the internet connection would be coming from. Without further ado, here’s how you can set up the hotspot on your other device:

  1. On your extra device, head to Settings.
  2. Now head to Cellularagain but this time, proceed to Personal Hotspot.
  3. Turn on the hotspot by tapping on the toggle for Personal Hotspot. You may also set the name and password of the hotspot here.
  4. Now on your primary phone, connect to the hotspot by heading to Settings
  5. There, go to WiFi this time then tap on the name of the Personal Hotspot that you have set up. Then, enter the password for the said hotspot.

Now you just have to follow the basic instructions for conducting system update. And as you may have already realized, you are still technically using WiFi, but this time it makes use of Cellular Data. Also, while you will have to look for another device, you are able to use any brands of phone even if it’s not another iPhone.

Method #4: Update iPhone without WiFi Using Third-Party Tool

Our last entry involves the use of third-party tools in order to update iPhone without WiFi. Of course, this would be the riskiest option that you may take, but it is still worth a shot if you don’t seem to find the other methods applicable to your scenario.

While we may not have some recommendations for the best apps to conduct the update for you, we suggest getting such apps from the App Store. That way, you won’t make the mistake of installing an app filled with malware and virus.

That’s pretty much everything you need to know in order to update iPhone without WiFi using a third-party tool. Remember that since this is risky, only make it one of your choices if you don’t have any options left.

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Prevent Data Loss When Updating iPhone

Although we’ve already discussed tons of ways to update iPhone without WiFi, you have to always remember that when updating your device, there will be some major changes. One of those changes it the potential deletion of files.

Thus, we suggest that you fulfill your responsibility as a user by preventing those files to be lost through the creation of backups. You can create backups in different ways, but we suggest using either iCloud or your computer.

With iCloud, you only have to go to your Settings and proceed to iCloud. There, you should be able to create backups by following the onscreen instructions. In the case of using your computer, you simply have to connect the device and transfer your files into your computer for safekeeping.

With that, you are now ready to update iPhone without WiFi in any way you want. After all, you are not at any risk of losing files anymore as you may recover them anytime in the event that a file does disappear from your phone.

Bottom Line

It’s not always going to be easy navigating your iPhone and doing things that most people can normally do. One of the things that is normally very doable is doing updates, but in your case, you must be struggling with it.

Unfortunately, this is a very common case and you’re not the only one that experienced this. On the other hand, there are many ways to bypass this and most of them involve ways to update iPhone without WiFi. Hopefully, this helped you with your mission to solve your current issue with your iPhone.

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Vernon Roderick

Technical Expertise for PC/Website Optimization

One of my passion is to develop software of my own

I write articles to share knowledge about IT technology and some experience in developing my own software, and developing my own software is one of my passions for work.

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