Fix: iOS 17 Software Update Failed an Error Occurred 

After months of anticipation, leaks, and rumors, iOS 17 was finally announced at WWDC23. It brings several new features, including accessibility features, to the iPhone. The developer beta of iOS 17 is available for installation and can be installed directly from the settings app. However, many users face difficulty installing the iOS 17 software update. You are in the right place if you are one of those users. This post will show you how to fix the iOS 17 “Software Update Failed. An error occurred downloading iOS 17” problem.

How to Fix iOS 17 Software Update Failed an Error Occurred.

Don’t worry; this issue isn’t hard to fix. Several users encounter this error each year when downloading the new iOS update, and this isn’t something new to iOS 17. But before we fix the issue, you must update your iPhone correctly. Here are some things you need to make sure:

1. Ensure your iPhone’s battery has at least 50% charge before continuing with the troubleshooting steps, or keep it plugged in while updating.
2. Turn off power-saving features and update to the latest version of iOS.
3. If you continue to receive an error message when trying to update to iOS 17, try the instructions below.

Fix 1: Use UltFone iOS System Repair [Free Download]

UltFone iOS System Repair is a professional and reliable tool designed specifically to fix 150+ iOS system issues with a single click, including software update failures. It supports a wide range of iOS devices, including iPhones, iPads, and iPods, and is compatible with the latest iPhone 14 series and iOS 17/iPadOS 17.

Here is how to use it:

• Download and install UltFone iOS System Repair from the official website.
• Connect your iOS device to the computer using a USB cable and select “Deep Repair.”
• Follow the on-screen instructions to download the firmware package and start the repair within a few minutes.

Fix 2: Wait and Try Again

“Software Update Failed” is a common error message. Many iPhone users attempting to update to iOS 17 simultaneously can lead to the “An error occurred downloading iOS 17” problem. The Apple server may crash as a result of the heavy load. If this happens, you should give the update a break for a few hours and try again later.

Delete the iOS 17 update that failed to download entirely by going to Settings > General > Storage before attempting the update again. You can then restart your iPhone for it to take effect.

Fix 3: Restart your iPhone

Restarting your iPhone helps clear any software glitches that might prevent your iPhone from installing the iOS 17 update. You can restart or hard reset your iPhone to see if that helps. Here’s how to do it:

1. Quickly press and release the Volume Up key.
2. Quickly press and release the Volume Down key.
3. Now, press and hold the Side key until the Apple logo appears.

Fix 4: Check your Internet Connection

If you have a poor internet connection, the iOS 17 update will not install. You will surely get the “An error occurred downloading iOS 17” error. To fix this, you must check your internet connection and ensure it works properly. The router is the first thing you should inspect when checking your internet connection. Follow these steps:

1. Make sure the router is in range of your iPhone.
2. Make sure there are no obstacles around the router.
3. Restart your router by unplugging it and plugging it back in.

You can also reset the Wi-Fi settings on your iPhone to see if that helps resolve the issue. Here’s how:

1. Select Wi-Fi from the Settings menu.
2. Select your current Wi-Fi network from the list that appears.
3. Tap on the “i” button adjacent to the network’s SSID.
4. Select “Forget this network” and confirm.
5. If prompted, reconnect to the Wi-Fi network by choosing it from a list and inputting the password.

Note: If you are using cellular data, ensure you have not set any data limits on your iPhone.

Fix 5: Reset Network Settings

If the above steps don’t fix the issue, you can try resetting the network settings on your iPhone. Remember that resetting your network settings will delete all your network-related settings, including cellular data, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and VPN settings. Follow these steps to reset the network settings on your iPhone:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
3. Tap on Reset > Reset Network Settings. You might have to enter your passcode to complete the process.
4. Tap on Reset Network Settings again to confirm.
5. Restart your iPhone and try installing iOS 17 again.

Fix 6: Make Sure there is Enough Storage Space

If your device doesn’t have enough storage space, updating the software may fail. This will cause a problem with the download of iOS 17. To ensure a speedy update and the best possible performance after installing iOS 17, you should have at least 6 GB of free space available. If you need to make some room in your storage, check out these tips:

Check the available space on your iPhone:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on General > Storage.
3. In this section, you can check out how much storage is available on your iPhone and how much space individual apps use.

Free Up Storage Space on iPhone:

If you’re low on storage space, try deleting unused apps, sorting through photos, clearing out browser and app cache, deleting old messages, and clearing out unnecessary files. Out of all the files, photos and videos can take up a lot of space, so transferring them to a computer or an external USB drive can help. You can also upload your photos and videos to the Cloud and free up local storage space on your iPhone.

Fix 7: Update To iOS 17 Using iTunes or Finder

Over-the-air (OTA) upgrades are more susceptible to the iOS 17 software update failure. It is faster, safer, and better to upgrade through your computer’s iTunes/Finder. If the over-the-air update fails, you can use iTunes/Finder instead. Follow these instructions:

1. Use a USB to the Lightning connector to link your iPhone to your PC or Mac.
2. Launch Apple’s iTunes/Finder on your computer.
3. Click on Summary from the left panel to go to your iPhone’s summary in iTunes or Finder.
4. Now, click on Check for Update > Download and Update.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the update. You might have to enter your passcode.
6. The program will download iOS 17 for your iPhone and install it.
7. Once everything is done, restart your iPhone, and you should be good to go.

Fix 8: Reset All Settings

If you’re still having problems updating to iOS 17, restoring your iPhone’s default settings may help. Resetting all settings on your iPhone will help fix any software conflicts or incorrect settings preventing the update from being installed. Remember that this will reset all your settings and preferences to their factory defaults, not delete any data. Here’s how to reset all settings on your iPhone:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
3. Tap on Reset > Reset All Settings. You might have to enter your passcode to complete the process.
4. Tap on Reset All Settings again to confirm.
5. Restart your iPhone and try installing iOS 17 again.

Final Words

iOS 17 is undoubtedly an exciting update for all iOS users, and many are eager to try it out. However, it can be frustrating when you see the “An error occurred downloading iOS 17” error on your iPhone. We have compiled a list of solutions to help fix this error. Remember to back up your iPhone data before installing any major software updates. Anyway, that’s all from us. If you have any questions, let us know.

Disclosure: This Post is Sponsored by Ultfone.