No, an iPhone 6 can't update to iOS 15, because Apple supports iOS 15 only on iPhone 6s and later; the newest software for an iPhone 6 is iOS 12.5.8, installed from Settings > General > Software Update.
This guide covers the wireless update, updating from a Mac, a Windows PC or iTunes, telling an iPhone 6 from an iPhone 6s, and fixes when the update fails.
How to update iPhone 6 to the latest iOS in Settings
The wireless update is the fastest route and needs no computer. It installs the newest iOS 12 release the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus can run.
- Back up the iPhone 6 to iCloud or your computer.
- Plug the iPhone into power and connect it to Wi-Fi.
- Open Settings, then tap General.
- Tap Software Update. The installed iOS version appears, along with any available update.
- Tap Download and Install, then follow the onscreen instructions.
- Enter your passcode when asked and keep the iPhone on power until it restarts.
If a message asks to remove apps temporarily for space, tap Continue. iOS reinstalls those apps automatically after the update finishes, and your data and settings stay unchanged.
Can iPhone 6 update to iOS 15 or iOS 16?
No. iOS 13 dropped the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, so neither model can install iOS 13, iOS 15, iOS 16 or anything later.
| iOS version | Available on iPhone 6? | Oldest supported iPhone |
|---|---|---|
| iOS 12 (latest 12.5.8) | Yes | iPhone 5s |
| iOS 13 | No | iPhone 6s and iPhone SE (1st generation) |
| iOS 15 (latest 15.8.8) | No | iPhone 6s and iPhone SE (1st generation) |
| iOS 16 | No | iPhone 8 |
| iOS 27 | No | iPhone 11 |
Software Update on an iPhone 6 never offers iOS 13 or later. To run iOS 15 you need an iPhone 6s or newer, and iOS 16 needs an iPhone 8, which you can update to iOS 16 the same way.
iPhone 6 vs iPhone 6s model number
Many readers asking about iOS 15 actually own an iPhone 6s, which can run it. Check the model before you assume the update is missing.
| Model | Model number on the back | How to spot it | Newest iOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 6 | A1549, A1586, A1589 | 4.7-inch display, plain aluminum back, IMEI etched on the back cover | iOS 12.5.8 |
| iPhone 6 Plus | A1522, A1524, A1593 | 5.5-inch display, plain aluminum back, IMEI etched on the back cover | iOS 12.5.8 |
| iPhone 6s | A1633, A1688, A1700 | 4.7-inch display, laser-etched "S" on the back, IMEI on the SIM tray | iOS 15.8.8 |
| iPhone 6s Plus | A1634, A1687, A1699 | 5.5-inch display, laser-etched "S" on the back, IMEI on the SIM tray | iOS 15.8.8 |
To see the model and iOS version on the phone itself, open Settings > General > About.
Update iPhone 6 with a Mac using the Finder
Use this on a Mac running macOS Catalina or later when the wireless update does not appear or keeps failing. If the Mac is using the iPhone's Personal Hotspot, connect the Mac to another Wi-Fi or Ethernet network first.
- Open a Finder window on your Mac.
- Connect the iPhone 6 to the Mac with a cable.
- Select the iPhone in the Finder sidebar.
- Click General, then click Check for Update.
- Click Download and Update and follow the onscreen instructions.
- Enter your passcode on the iPhone when prompted.
Update iPhone 6 using iTunes on a PC or older Mac
iTunes handles updates on a Windows PC and on a Mac running macOS Mojave or earlier.
- Open iTunes on the Windows PC or the Mac.
- Connect the iPhone 6 to the computer.
- Click the device button in the iTunes toolbar.
- Click the Summary tab.
- Click Check for Update, then click Download and Update.
- Follow the onscreen instructions and enter your passcode if asked.
Update iPhone 6 from Windows with the Apple Devices app
The Apple Devices app from the Microsoft Store backs up, updates and restores an iPhone on Windows.
- Connect the iPhone 6 to the PC with a USB cable, or over Wi-Fi if you set up Wi-Fi sync.
- Open the Apple Devices app and select the iPhone in the sidebar.
- Select General in the sidebar.
- Select Check for Update if the Update button is not showing.
- Select Update and follow the prompts.
If the iPhone does not appear in the sidebar over USB, try the iTunes route above or a different cable and USB port.
Update iPhone 6s to iOS 15
An iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus can run iOS 15, and iOS 15.8.8 from 11 May 2026 is the newest release Apple lists for it.
- Back up the iPhone 6s, then connect it to power and Wi-Fi.
- Open Settings > General > Software Update.
- Tap Download and Install for the newest iOS 15 release.
- Enter your passcode and wait for the iPhone to restart.
- Open Software Update again and install any later iOS 15 update it offers.
iOS 16 and later need an iPhone 8 or newer, so an iPhone 6s stays on iOS 15 and receives only its security updates.
See which iOS version your iPhone 6 is running
- Open Settings after the iPhone restarts.
- Tap General, then tap About.
- Read the model and the iOS version listed on the About screen.
- Go back and tap Software Update to see whether iOS reports the iPhone as up to date.
An iPhone 6 on iOS 12.5.8 has the newest software Apple lists for it. A later iOS 12 security update would appear in Software Update too.
Turn on automatic updates on iPhone 6
iOS 12 has a single switch for automatic updates rather than the separate download and install options on newer iPhones.
- Open Settings, then tap General.
- Tap Software Update.
- Tap Automatic Updates.
- Turn on Automatic Updates.
The iPhone then installs updates wirelessly and notifies you before each install. Turn the same switch off to install updates yourself.
Why won't my iPhone 6 update?
Apple lists four needs for any update: a compatible device, an internet connection, enough storage and, ideally, a power source. The common iOS update errors on newer iPhones follow the same causes.
Why won't my iPhone 6 update to iOS 15
iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are not on the compatible device list for iOS 13 or later.
- Open Settings > General > Software Update.
- Install any iOS 12 update offered there.
- Expect no iOS 13, iOS 15 or later option on this model.
Why won't my iPhone 6s update
An iPhone 6s gets iOS 15 updates only, so iOS 16 and later never appear.
- Check the model number on the back against the table above.
- Install the newest iOS 15 update in Software Update.
- If the iOS 15 update itself fails, work through the storage and server fixes below.
Not enough storage for the update
The update needs free space to download before it installs.
- Open Settings, then tap General.
- Tap iPhone Storage.
- Tap Enable next to Offload Unused Apps, or delete apps you no longer use.
- Return to Software Update and try again.
Unable to Check for Update or Unable to Download
The iPhone cannot reach Apple's update server, often because of the network, a VPN or a proxy.
- Try the update again on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Turn off any VPN or proxy on the iPhone.
- Try a different Wi-Fi network.
- If the alert keeps appearing, update with the Finder, the Apple Devices app or iTunes.
How to force update iPhone 6 when the update keeps failing
The downloaded update file may be damaged.
- Open Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
- Find the update in the list, tap it, then tap Delete Update.
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update and download it again.
- If it fails again, update with a Mac or iTunes.
If the computer does not recognize the iPhone, or the screen shows the Apple logo for several minutes with no progress bar, Apple's next step is recovery mode.
iPhone 6 iOS update FAQ
How can I update my iPhone 6 to iOS 15?
You can't. Apple supports iOS 15 on iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE (1st generation) and later models. An iPhone 6 stays on iOS 12, and iOS 12.5.8 is the newest release Apple lists for it.
How do I update my iPhone 6 to iOS 16?
iOS 16 is not available for iPhone 6. Apple lists iOS 16 for iPhone 8 and later. Install the newest iOS 12 update in Settings > General > Software Update instead to keep the iPhone 6's security fixes current.
Does the iPhone 6 still get updates?
Yes, security updates only. Apple released iOS 12.5.8 for iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus on 26 January 2026. New iOS features stopped with iOS 12, so the iPhone 6 never receives iOS 13 or later.
How to update iOS on iPhone 6?
Back up the iPhone, connect it to power and Wi-Fi, then open Settings > General > Software Update and tap Download and Install. Enter your passcode when asked and leave the iPhone on power until it restarts.
Can I update my iPhone through my computer?
Yes. On a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, select the iPhone in the Finder and click Check for Update. On Windows, use the Apple Devices app or iTunes, or iTunes on macOS Mojave and earlier.
How to update apps on iPhone 6?
App updates come from the App Store, not Software Update. Open the App Store, search for the app and tap Update on its page if one is offered. Some newer app versions require a later iOS than iPhone 6 can run.
Why won't my iPhone 6s update?
An iPhone 6s runs iOS 15 at most, so iOS 16 and later never appear. If an iOS 15 update fails, free up storage, try another Wi-Fi network, turn off any VPN, or delete the update and download it again.
How to force update iPhone 6?
Delete the downloaded update in Settings > General > iPhone Storage, then download it again in Software Update. If that fails, update with the Finder, the Apple Devices app or iTunes. Recovery mode is the last step when the computer can't see the iPhone.
Can I update my iPhone 7 to iOS 17?
No. Apple lists iOS 17 for iPhone XS and later. An iPhone 7 runs iOS 15 at most, and iOS 15.8.8 is the newest release on Apple's list for it.
