"Stuck on 'Update Requested' for iOS 15? Here's How to Fix It!"

If you’ve ever seen the message “Update Requested„ on your iPhone while trying to download or install iOS 15, you’re not alone. This frustrating issue can prevent you from updating your device to the latest supported version of iOS, leaving you stuck in an endless loop of downloads and stalled progress. The “Update Requested„ prompt appears when your iPhone begins to download an update but then stops before installation begins — often due to network issues, storage limitations, or software glitches.

What Does “Update Requested„ Mean on iOS 15?

The “Update Requested„ status simply means that your iPhone has registered the intent to install iOS 15 but hasn’t started the actual download or installation process yet. It’s common during periods of high traffic right after Apple releases a new update, when millions of users are trying to download the same file simultaneously. However, if the status persists for hours or even days, it indicates a deeper problem that requires troubleshooting.

This message is part of iOS’s built-in update mechanism. Normally, once your device starts downloading the update, it transitions automatically to “Verifying Update,„ then “Preparing Update,„ and finally initiates the install. If it remains stuck before any of those stages, you need to intervene manually.

How to Fix the “Stuck on Update Requested„ Issue

1. Restart Your iPhone

The simplest and often most effective fix is to restart your device. Hold down the power button (or power and volume button depending on your model) and slide to power off. Wait 30 seconds, then turn the device back on. This clears temporary glitches that may be preventing the update process from proceeding.

2. Delete the iOS Update and Re-download

Sometimes the partially downloaded update file becomes corrupted. To fix this, go to Settings > General & iPhone Storage and look for the iOS update file in the list. Tap on it and select “Delete Update.„ After removing the corrupted file, restart your phone and go to Settings > General > Software Update to start fresh.

3. Free Up Storage Space

iOS 15 requires a significant amount of free storage to download and install. If your iPhone’s storage is nearly full, the update won’t be able to proceed past the “requested„ phase. Check your available space in Settings > General & iPhone Storage. As a general rule, you should have at least 4–5 gigabytes of free space for a smooth update experience.

4. Use a Stable Wi-Fi Connection

iOS updates require a Wi-Fi connection by default. Make sure you’re connected to a stable network with decent bandwidth. Avoid public or poorly secured networks, as interruptions during the download phase can cause your device to stall at the “Update Requested„ stage. If possible, try connecting to a different network entirely to rule out connectivity problems.

5. Force Restart Your Device

If a standard restart doesn’t work, try a force restart. On an iPhone 8 or later, quickly press and release the volume up button, then the volume down button, then hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. On older models, hold the home and power buttons together. This forcefully resets the device and often clears the stuck status.

6. Update via Finder or iTunes

When all else fails, use a computer to manually update. Connect your iPhone to a Mac or PC, open Finder (macOS Catalina or later) or iTunes (Windows or earlier macOS), select your device, and click “Update.„ This bypasses the on-device download process entirely and is particularly useful if your internet connection or device storage is unreliable.

Understanding Why This Issue Happens

Several factors can contribute to being stuck on the “Update Requested„ screen. Serverside strain is a common culprit, especially within the first 24—48 hours of a public iOS release. Device-specific issues such as insufficient RAM during the download phase, incompatible configuration profiles, or even battery level below 50% can halt the process. Background processes from other apps may consume network bandwidth, silently starving the update download thread.

Preventing Future Update Problems

To avoid similar headaches in the foreseeable future, enable automatic updates by navigating to Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates and toggling on all available options. This ensures your device downloads and installs iOS patches during convenient overnight hours when you’re less likely to notice any delays. Additionally, keeping your iPhone’s storage reasonably free throughout the year prevents most update-related bottlenecks.

If you continue experiencing the “Update Requested„ issue after trying every troubleshooting step listed above, contacting Apple Support or visiting an Apple Store may be your best option. There could be a deeper firmware or hardware issue that requires professional intervention.