How to Turn On Automatic iOS Updates on iPhone 14 (and Other iPhones)

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To turn on automatic iOS updates on an iPhone 14, open Settings, tap General, tap Software Update, then tap Automatic Updates and turn on Automatically Install. When an update is available, your iPhone downloads and installs it overnight while it’s charging and connected to Wi-Fi, and you’re notified before it installs.

These steps are the same on any iPhone running a recent version of iOS, not just the iPhone 14. For the most complete protection, also make sure security updates install automatically, which this guide covers too.

Quick Answer

  1. Open Settings and tap General.
  2. Tap Software Update, then Automatic Updates.
  3. Turn on Automatically Install (and any iOS Updates or security options listed under it).
  4. If you’d rather choose the install time yourself, turn off Automatically Install and turn on Automatically Download instead.
  5. Leave your iPhone charging and on Wi-Fi overnight so the update can install.

In This Guide

Before You Start

These steps follow Apple Support documentation as of September 2026. They apply to the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, and to other iPhone models running current versions of iOS. Menu labels can vary slightly between iOS versions.

What you need:

  • Wi-Fi. Apple’s automatic updates happen over Wi-Fi.
  • A charger. Automatic installs happen overnight while the iPhone is charging.
  • Free storage space. Updates need room to download. Apple notes that if space is short, your iPhone may ask to remove apps temporarily; the apps are reinstalled afterward.
  • A recent backup. Updates normally keep your data and settings, but Apple recommends backing up with iCloud or a computer before you update, just in case.

An iOS update is a new version of the iPhone’s operating system, the software that runs everything on the phone. Updates bring new features, bug fixes and security fixes. To check which version you have, go to Settings, General, About.

Turn On Automatic iOS Updates

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone 14.
  2. Scroll down and tap General.
  3. Tap Software Update. Expected result: your iPhone checks for updates and shows your current iOS version or an available update.
  4. Tap Automatic Updates.
  5. Turn on Automatically Install. If you see separate switches under it, such as iOS Updates and Security Responses & System Files, turn both on. Expected result: the switches turn green.
  6. Go back to the Home Screen. No other action is needed.

From now on, when an update is available, your iPhone downloads it and installs it overnight while it’s charging and connected to Wi-Fi. Apple says you’re notified before an update is installed, so you’ll have a chance to see it coming. Apple describes these settings on its Update your iPhone or iPad page and in the iPhone User Guide.

Tip: Your iPhone restarts as part of installing an update, so the phone is briefly unavailable. See how to turn off or restart an iPhone 14 if the phone seems stuck afterward.

Download Updates Automatically but Install Them Yourself

Some people like updates ready to go but want to decide when to install, for example after reading about a new version or before a trip.

  1. Go to Settings, General, Software Update, Automatic Updates.
  2. Turn off Automatically Install. Apple notes that you need to turn this off first to see the download-only option.
  3. Turn on Automatically Download. Expected result: your iPhone downloads new updates when it’s connected to Wi-Fi, charging and locked.
  4. When an update is ready, go to Settings, General, Software Update and tap the install button when it suits you.

Make Sure Security Improvements Install Automatically

Apple also delivers smaller security fixes between full iOS updates. In iOS 26.1 and later, these are called Background Security Improvements. They patch components such as the Safari browser, the WebKit framework and other system libraries.

  1. Open Settings and tap Privacy & Security.
  2. Tap Background Security Improvements.
  3. Make sure Automatically Install is turned on.

If you remove a Background Security Improvement, Apple says your device reverts to the baseline iOS version without the improvement applied. Details are on Apple’s About Background Security Improvements page.

On earlier iOS versions, a similar option may appear as Security Responses & System Files under Software Update, Automatic Updates. If you see it, keep it on.

Update Your iPhone Manually

You don’t have to wait for the overnight install. You can update any time.

Before you start: back up your iPhone. To back up with iCloud:

  1. Connect to Wi-Fi.
  2. Open Settings, tap your name, then tap iCloud.
  3. Tap iCloud Backup.
  4. Tap Back Up Now and stay connected to Wi-Fi until it finishes. Expected result: the screen shows the time of your last successful backup.

On the same iCloud Backup screen, you can turn on automatic backups (the switch is labeled Back Up This iPhone). Like automatic updates, those backups run when your iPhone is connected to power and Wi-Fi with the screen locked, so the two settings work well together overnight. Apple’s iCloud backup guide has more detail.

Then install the update:

  1. Plug your iPhone into power and connect to Wi-Fi.
  2. Go to Settings, General, Software Update.
  3. If more than one update is shown, choose the one you want.
  4. Tap Download and Install (the button may say Update Now or Install Now if the update has already downloaded).
  5. Enter your passcode if asked. Expected result: the update downloads, your iPhone restarts, and you see the Apple logo and a progress bar while it installs.

You can also update with a computer. On a Mac, use Finder; on a Windows PC, use the Apple Devices app or iTunes, depending on what’s installed. Updating iOS doesn’t update your apps; for those, see how to update apps on an iPhone 14. Safari updates arrive with iOS, as explained in how to update Safari on iOS.

What to Expect When an Update Installs

Knowing what normally happens makes it easier to spot a real problem:

  • A notification first. With Automatically Install on, Apple says you’re notified before an update is installed.
  • An overnight window. The install happens while the iPhone is charging and connected to Wi-Fi, so leaving it plugged in at bedtime is the simplest habit.
  • A restart. During installation, the screen shows the Apple logo and a progress bar, and the phone restarts on its own.
  • Your passcode afterward. After the restart, you’ll usually need to enter your passcode before Face ID works again.

If the progress bar hasn’t moved for a long time, give it more time before doing anything, since large updates can take a while.

Which Setting Should You Choose?

Setting What happens Best for
Automatically Install Downloads and installs overnight while charging on Wi-Fi Most people who want to stay secure without thinking about it
Automatically Download only Downloads in the background; you install when ready People who want to choose the timing
Both off Nothing happens until you check Software Update Rarely recommended; you may miss security fixes
Background Security Improvements on Smaller security fixes install between full updates Everyone on iOS 26.1 or later

Apple calls updating your operating system one of the most important things you can do to protect your device and information, so leaving automatic installs on is a sensible default.

Troubleshooting

The update didn’t install overnight

Check that the iPhone was plugged in, connected to Wi-Fi and locked overnight, and that Automatically Install is still on. Some updates may still need you to tap install yourself, so check Software Update in the morning.

There isn’t enough storage

Go to Settings, General, iPhone Storage to see what’s using space, and delete large items you don’t need. Your iPhone may also offer to remove apps temporarily during the update.

Software Update can’t find or reach the update server

Apple notes that VPN or proxy connections can prevent your device from contacting the update servers. Turn off any VPN, try a different Wi-Fi network, and try again. Some updates also aren’t available wirelessly, in which case you can update with a computer.

Automatically Download doesn’t appear

Turn off Automatically Install first. Apple shows the download-only option only when automatic installing is off.

My iPhone 14 isn’t showing the newest iOS version

Software Update shows the updates available for your model. If a newer version isn’t listed, it may not be released for your device yet, or it may be rolling out gradually. Check again later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will automatic updates erase my data?

Updates are designed to keep your data and settings, but it’s still smart to keep regular iCloud or computer backups.

Do automatic updates use cellular data?

Apple’s automatic updates run while your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi.

Will I be warned before an update installs?

Yes. Apple says you’re notified before an update is installed when Automatically Install is on.

How do I turn automatic updates off?

Go to Settings, General, Software Update, Automatic Updates and turn off Automatically Install and Automatically Download.

Does this also update my apps?

No. App updates are a separate setting in the App Store settings.

Are these steps different on other iPhone models?

No. The path is the same on any iPhone running a current version of iOS.

Summary

  1. Open Settings, General, Software Update.
  2. Tap Automatic Updates.
  3. Turn on Automatically Install, including any iOS and security options under it.
  4. Or use Automatically Download to choose the install time yourself.
  5. Check Privacy & Security, Background Security Improvements on iOS 26.1 or later.
  6. Keep your iPhone charging on Wi-Fi overnight so updates can install.

Next step: open Settings, General, Software Update now to see whether an update is already waiting for your iPhone 14.

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