Apple is making the next version of its mobile operating system. Find out how to add it to your iPhone.

Are you all set? Apple aims to give iOS 17, the latest version of the iPhone’s operating system, to everyone who has an iPhone that can use it today.

Most of the work of updating to iOS 17 will be done by your iPhone, but you can do a few things to get ready before you run the latest version of iOS. Follow the steps below to install the new iOS 17 on your iPhone.

Read our review of iOS 17 to learn more about the brand-new iPhone OS and check out some of the coolest features of iOS 17.

Find out if your iPhone can run iOS 17 before you start installing it

The new iOS 17 update won’t be sent to every iPhone. You’ll need an iPhone that’s at least as new as the iPhone XR or XS, which came out in 2018.

iOS 17 will work with the iPhone 11, iPhone SE (from the second version and up), iPhone 12, iPhone 13, and iPhone 14. It will also work with the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max. iOS 17 will already be on the new iPhone 15, which can be preordered now and will be in stores on September 22.

The iOS 17 will come pre-installed on the new iPhone 15
The iOS 17 will come pre-installed on the new iPhone 15

Next, back up your iPhone before running iOS 17

It can be exciting to try out all of iOS 17’s new features, but before you update to the new operating system, there are a few simple steps you should take. Before you update your iPhone, you should back it up so that all of your personal and phone info stays safe. This will also give you the choice of going back to iOS 16 if you don’t like iOS 17.

If your iPhone is connected to power and Wi-Fi and set to its usual settings, it will back up your info every time it goes to sleep. But if you turn off regular backups, you can directly back up your device by going to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and then tapping Back Up Now.

If iCloud Backup isn't set up automatically, make sure to manually back up your iPhone.
If iCloud Backup isn’t set up automatically, make sure to manually back up your iPhone.

You can also use Finder on a Mac to back up your iPhone. Connect your iPhone to your computer, open Finder, choose your device, and then make a backup. Apple also suggests that you archive your backup so that it doesn’t get replaced by other copies.

Before you load iOS 17, do these three things after you’ve backed up your iPhone

To make the download and installation process go as quickly as possible, it helps to take a few steps to get ready:

  • Make sure that your iPhone is plugged in. If your phone’s power is below 50%, you won’t be able to download iOS 17, so it’s best to plug it in while you update. Even if your phone is plugged in, the battery must be at least 20% full to run iOS 17.
  • Connect a Wi-Fi network. You won’t be able to download iOS 17 using your cell data, so connect to a stable Wi-Fi network before you start the update.
  • Clear out enough space to store things. The iOS 17 file size will be several gigabytes, so you’ll need to make space on your device before you can download and install it. To delete big files and apps from your iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.

Check out these easy tips for getting the most out of your iPhone’s storage and making more room.

How to get iOS 17 and run it when it comes out today

Once you’ve done everything you need to do to get ready, you can download and install iOS 17. Open your iPhone and go to Settings > General > Software Update when the final version of iOS 17 is out. Wait a few seconds (or minutes) for the update to show up, and then tap Install Now for iOS 17 (or Install Tonight if you want to install iOS 17 later).

If you see the opportunity to download and install iOS 16.6, click the Upgrade to iOS 17 button at the bottom of the page and then click Download and Install for iOS 17. Enter your password to start the update process.

After you start the update, you should see a waiting bar and an idea of how long it will take to download. When the download is done, turn off your iPhone, turn it back on, and wait for iOS 17 to run. Follow any on-screen instructions when your iPhone starts up, and iOS 17 should then be downloaded to your device.

When will iPhone users be able to get the iOS 17 update today?

Apple announced at its “Wonderlust” event on September 12 that iOS 17 will be available for all eligible iPhones today, September 18.

Apple usually releases big changes to iOS at 10 a.m. PT, so most iPhone users in the US will be able to download iOS 17 later this morning or early this afternoon. Here’s when we think iPhone users will be able to download iOS 17:

  • Hawaii iPhone users: 7 a.m.
  • Alaskans with iPhones: 9 a.m.
  • PT users with an iPhone: 10 a.m.
  • MT users with an iPhone: 11 a.m.
  • Users of iPhones on CT: 12 p.m.
  • ET users with an iPhone: 1 p.m.
  • Users of the iPhone on BST: 6 p.m.
  • iPhone users in AEST: Tuesday, September 19 at 3 a.m.

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