Apple’siOS 15.7.3 update is a small maintenance upgrade, but it could take quite a bit of time to install on your iPhone.
The company’s pushed its iOS 15.7.3 update and the software delivers a short list of changes to select iPhone users. Apple’s latest firmware brings important security patches with it. It doesn’t have any new features on board.
If you’re moving your iPhone from iOS 15.7.2 to iOS 15.7.3, you get the shortest list of changes and the smallest download size. If you’re upgrading from an older version of iOS, your iOS 15.7.3 download could be much larger because the changes from the update(s) you skipped are baked in.
While some of you might want to skip the iOS 15.7.3 download for the time being, most people should install the software right now, or, at some point in the near future.
If you decide to install iOS 15.7.3 on your iPhone, you’ll want to set aside some time to get the upgrade properly installed on your device.
Moving a device from one version of iOS to another often causes problems so you’ll want to monitor the download, the installation, and your phone’s performance once the installation is complete.
We can’t tell you exactly how long the process will take because it will vary. That said, we can help you approximate how much time you should set aside should you choose to install the new software on your iPhone.
| Task | Time |
|---|---|
| Sync (Optional) | 5-45 Minutes |
| Backup and Transfer (Optional) | 1-30 Minutes |
| iOS 15.7.3 Download | 5 Minutes to 15 Minutes |
| iOS 15.7.3 Installation | 7 Minutes to 12 Minutes |
| Total iOS 15.7.3 Update Time | 12 Minutes to 1 Hour+ |
Pre-Installation
Before you start the iOS 15.7.3 download make sure you’re prepared.
If you don’t know how to properly prepare for an iOS upgrade, take a look at our pre-installation guide. It’ll walk you through the most important steps to take before you start the installation process.
You should be able to get through these steps in 30 minutes, but it all depends on your skill level and the current state of your iPhone.
If you haven’t backed up your data in awhile or if you aren’t familiar with iOS 15.7.3’s changes, the pre-installation process could take you a longer.
You don’t need to follow every single step in the guide, but at the very least you’ll want to make sure your phone’s data is backed up properly.
Data loss issues are pretty rare, but if you store sensitive data (photos, videos, etc) on your device, it’s always better to err on the side of caution.
iOS 15.7.3 Download
Once you’ve prepared, it’s time to start the download process.
Again, the exact size of your iOS 15.7.3 download will depend on your iPhone model and the version of iOS it’s currently running.
If your iPhone is currently on iOS 15.7.2 you’ll, again, see the smallest download size. If you’re running an older version, your download could be larger.
If you’re on a fast Wi-Fi network, the download should finish up in less than 10 minutes. If your connection is slower, or you’re downloading during peak hours, you might be looking at 10 minutes or more.
iOS 15.7.3 Installation
Once your device is done pulling iOS 15.7.3 from Apple’s servers, the installation process will begin. This could take longer than the download.
If you’re moving up from iOS 15.7.2, the iOS 15.7.3 installation should take 10 minutes or less to complete. It took about seven minutes to install on an iPhone 7 that was previously running iOS 15.7.2.
Your iPhone might reboot itself a couple of times during the installation process, but this is perfectly normal. Your device should boot up normally once the installation process completes.
Post-Installation
After the installation finishes up, you might need to spend time logging into your iCloud account, signing into your device’s various apps and services, and/or setting up Apple Pay.
You also might want to spend some time checking your important data (photos, music, etc) to make sure everything carried over properly.
After you do that, make sure you test your core applications and services to ensure they’re working normally. New iOS software can cause apps to go haywire.
If you notice an issue with one or more of your apps, try downloading the latest version. Developers are still rolling out iOS 15 support updates.
You’ll also want to poke around your phone for bugs and performance issues. If you notice something take a look at our list of fixes for common iOS 15 problems.
4 Reasons Not to Install iOS 15.7.3 & 11 Reasons You Should
Install iOS 15.7.3 for Better Security | ||||||||||||||||
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If security is important to you, you'll want to think about installing Apple's iOS 15.7.3 update right away. iOS 15.7.3 brings a new batch of security patches to iPhone. They are essential if you want to keep your device and its data safe from harm. You can learn more about these changes right here. As for older updates, iOS 15.7.2 brought numerous patches along with it. For more about them, head over to Apple's website for more details. iOS 15.7.1 update brought 17 security patches with it while iOS 15.7 delivered 11 security patches to iPhone. If you want a look at the details, head over to Apple's security site for more information. If you missed iOS 15.6.1, it had two security patches on board. You can read more about the pair on Apple's website. If you missed Apple's iOS 15.6 update, it had 30+ security upgrades on board. You can learn more about them right here. If you missed iOS 15.5 it brought 27 new security patches to the iPhone. You can learn more about these patches over on Apple's security site. If you missed iOS 15.4.1, it had one new security patch on board. You can read more about it over on Apple's website. If you missed the iOS 15.4 update, it had a whopping 36 new security patches on board. If you want to learn more about these patches, head on over to Apple's security site for the particulars. If you missed iOS 15.3.1, it had one security patch on board. For more about it, head over to Apple's security page. If you missed iOS 15.3, you'll also get its patches with your upgrade. iOS 15.3 brought 10 new security patches to iPhone users. If you're interested in the details, you can read more about them right here. If you missed iOS 15.2.1, you'll get its security patch with your upgrade. You can learn more about the change over on Apple's website. If you missed Apple's iOS 15.2 update, you'll get its 30+ security patches with your upgrade. You can read all about them over on the company's security site. iOS 15.2 also included some important upgrades to privacy. The software brought the company's App Privacy Report to Settings. This lets you see how often your apps have accessed your location, photos, camera, microphone, contacts and more during the last seven days. You can also see their network activity. In addition, iOS 15.2 brought Apple's communication safety features for kids. You'll find these features in the Messages app, in Siri, in Spotlight, and in Search. If you missed iOS 15.1, iOS 15.7.3 will bring its security patches to your iPhone. You can read more about them on Apple's website. If you missed iOS 15.0.2 you'll also get its security patch with your upgrade. You can learn more about it right here. iOS 15.0 also brought numerous security patches to your iPhone. If you'll be moving up from iOS 14 and you're interested in the exact nature of these improvements, you can read about them over on Apple's security website. Apple's updated its website with new information about iOS 15's batch of security patches. The company now says the software patched up an issue that could have exposed a user's private Apple ID information and in-app search history. It also says iOS 15 patched up an issue that allowed apps to override Privacy preferences. If you skipped iOS 14.8 or any older versions of iOS, you'll get the security patches from those updates with your iOS 15.7.3 update as well. In addition to those patches, iOS 15 comes with some security and privacy upgrades including improvements to Siri. Requests made to Siri are now processed on the device itself using Neural Engine. This makes it more secure. If you're an Apple Card user, you'll now get a security code that changes regularly to use when you make online transactions. Apple's also included a built-in authenticator that's similar to Google Authenticator. This will let you generate verification codes for enhanced sign-in security under your Passwords. There's also a Mail feature that hides your IP address. | ||||||||||||||||
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FAQs
How long should iOS 15.7 update take? ›
| Task | Time |
|---|---|
| Sync (Optional) | 5-45 Minutes |
| Backup and Transfer (Optional) | 1-30 Minutes |
| iOS 15.7.5 Download | 5 Minutes to 15 Minutes |
| iOS 15.7.5 Installation | 7 Minutes to 12 Minutes |
The internet speed and the quality of your hardware will influence the process. Updating to the latest iOS takes about 30 minutes on average. Before you update iOS, it is suggested to save important data like photos to a computer or iCloud.
Why is the iOS 15.5 update taking so long? ›The reason can be unstable network settings which probably cause the screen stuck at estimating time remaining iOS 15.5. So, it's better to have a stable Wi-Fi network, you can also disconnect other devices linked with the Wi-Fi for the time you are installing iOS 15.5 update.
Can I skip iOS 15.7 and go right to 16? ›If you plan to go straight to iOS 16, you don't need to download iOS 15.7 first. The bug fixes mentioned within the release notes are all contained within iOS 16 too. You can just hit the Upgrade to iOS 16 option that sits below iOS 15.7.
Why is my iOS 15.7 update so slow? ›Make sure you have enough storage
You can check your device's storage in Settings > General > [Device] Storage. For best performance, try to maintain at least 1GB of free space.
1, making it the obvious choice for anyone who is concerned abouts security or might be a target. “If your device can run the latest iOS then iOS 16.1 is your best bet,” says Jake Moore, global cybersecurity advisor at ESET. If your device is older he says, you may not have a choice, and iOS 15.7.
Will iOS 15.6 slow down my phone? ›Even with older devices such as the first-generation iPhone SE, iOS 15 can be safely installed. Safari gets faster and the overall performance is not slowed down by the latest system.
Is iOS 15.6 safe to update? ›The flaws allow hackers to execute potentially malicious code on iPhones, iPads, Macs and MacBooks. This makes the releases critically important and priority updates for all users. At this stage, iOS 15 has proved itself to be consistently reliable, and iOS 15.6.
Is 15.6 iPhone update good? ›This update provides important security updates and is recommended for all users.
Can I update from iOS 15.5 to 16? ›Make sure your device is plugged in and connected to the internet with Wi-Fi. Then follow these steps: Go to Settings > General > Software Update. Tap Install Now.
Why is my iPhone slow after 15.6 update? ›
Restart Your Phone
If you start noticing UI lag or another performance issue after install the latest version of iOS 15, try restarting it. Power it down, leave it off for a minute, and the turn it back on.
As a rule of thumb, your iPhone and your main apps should still work fine, even if you don't do the update. If you do find your apps slowing, though, try upgrading to the latest version of iOS to see if that sorts the problem. Conversely, updating your iPhone to the latest iOS could cause your apps to stop working.
Should iOS 16 be installed? ›The main reason to update to iOS 16 for most users will be to gain a host of new features, such as Lock Screen customization and widgets, iCloud Shared Photo Library, Passkeys, Shared Tab Groups, and enhancements to Live Text, Visual Look Up, and Dictation, as well as significant updates for Messages, Mail, Home, ...
Is it worth upgrading to iOS 16? ›Apple's iOS 16 is a superb enhancement of the iPhone operating system with deep Lock Screen customization options, significant Live Text improvements, and support for physical security keys.
When should I update to iOS 16? ›iOS 16: When is the best time to upgrade
We recommend waiting for the first big update to iOS 16 before upgrading. The good news is that iOS 16.1 was released back in October 2021, so we would suggest that most users, with compatible iPhones, should now upgrade from iOS 15.
Apple simply says that iOS 15.7.5 “provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users.” You can update your iPhone to iOS 15.7.5 by heading to the Settings app, choosing General, then choosing Software Update.
Is 15.7 iOS update good? ›iOS 15.7.
This update provides important security updates and is recommended for all users.
- Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap General.
- Tap iPhone Storage.
- Locate and tap the iOS software update in the app list.
- Tap Delete Update and confirm the action by tapping it again in the pop-up pane.
Unlike the extensive array of new features in iOS 16.1, Apple's iOS 15.7. 1 release notes contain only a single line: “This update provides important security updates and is recommended for all users.”
Should I update from iOS 15.7 to 16.3 1? ›Apple iOS 16.3.1 Verdict: Upgrade
Given the importance of the CVE-2023-23529 security fix in iOS 16.3. 1 / iPadOS 16.3. 1, I recommend all iPhone and iPad users upgrade. Yes, there are isolated reports of bugs in the release (notably signal strength complaints), but the security of your device comes first.
Why is iOS 15.6 failing to install? ›
You might be unable to update your iPhone or iPad wirelessly — or over the air — for one of these reasons: Your device doesn't support the latest software. There isn't enough available storage space on your device. The update takes a long time to download.
How many GB does iOS 15.6 take up? ›Check that you have enough available storage
iOS 15 will take up about 3.24 GB of storage space, but you'll need more than that to successfully install the update.
The current list of iOS 15.6. 1 problems includes abnormal battery drain, installation issues, UI lag, issues with Touch ID and Face ID, and issues with first and third-party apps.
How long does iOS 15.6 1 take to install? ›DO NOT forget to create a full backup of your device before updating its operating system, and keep in mind that, depending on the available storage on your device and/or on your wifi network speed, it might take 30-60 minutes to complete the entire update process.
Does iOS 16 drain battery? ›And although they haven't been released yet, Live Activities and the iCloud Shared Photo Library are two iOS 16 features that may also drain your battery, so look out for an update to this story on how to disable them.
How long does it take to update from iOS 15.6 to 16? ›| Operation | Time |
|---|---|
| Device Backup (optional) | > 5 mins |
| iOS 16 Installation | 8~20 mins |
| iPhone Setup | < 5 mins |
| Total | 20 mins~1 h |
iOS 15.6 Problems
Some of these problems are brand new, others have carried over from iOS 15.5 and older versions of iOS 15. The current list of problems includes installation issues, UI lag, issues with Touch ID and Face ID, issues with first and third-party apps, and abnormal battery drain.
However, there is always a risk of data loss when upgrading system software. Therefore, it's important to backup before upgrading your iPhone or iPad.
When should I stop my iPhone from updating? ›...
Last expected update per model.
| Expected last iOS update | Year introduced | |
|---|---|---|
| Refurbished iPhone 12 | September 2025 | 2020 |
| Refurbished iPhone 12 Mini | September 2025 | 2020 |
| Refurbished iPhone 13 (Mini, Pro, Pro Max) | September 2026 | 2021 |
You are also exposed to the risk of losing your data while downgrading from iOS 16 to iOS 15. Another disadvantage is that if you upgrade a jailbroken device to iOS 16, the jailbreak will be lost for quite a long while. Moreover, there is no support for iOS 16.
Can I use iPhone without updating? ›
The answer is yes! There are several ways to do so, including using the recovery mode and using a previous backup via iTunes or iCloud. In this article, you can learn all the details about how to restore your iPhone without updating it.
What phones is iOS 16 recommended for? ›Basically, if you have an iPhone 8 (2017) or newer (including the second- and third-gen iPhone SE), you can download and run iOS 16.
Will iOS 16 slow down older iPhones? ›There are many users who have reported that iOS 16/15 slowed phones. As the new beta versions of iOS 16/15 is released for iOS device, you might see that your iPhone is running slower.
How to downgrade iOS 16 to 15? ›- Notably, the backup of the iOS 16 is not compatible with iOS 15. So, you need to change certain things. ...
- Scroll down and locate info. plist. ...
- Look for 16.0 . Now, you need to change 16.0 to 15.0. ...
- Go back to iTunes and tap “Restore Backup”. ...
- Finally, your iPhone will restart itself.
iOS 16 introduces redesigned, customizable Lock Screens with widgets, the ability to edit and delete messages, improved Focus modes, an iCloud Shared Photos Library for families, major improvements for apps like Mail, Home, and Wallet, and much more. The Lock Screen is fully redesigned in iOS 16.
Do you have to download iOS 15.6 before iOS 16? ›Unfortunately, you can't downgrade to anything older than iOS 15.6. 1 because Apple's closed off the downgrade path to iOS 15.6 and below. If you haven't already, we recommend getting familiar with the downgrade process before you download the iOS 16 beta.
What happens if you don't update your iPhone to iOS 16? ›You miss bug fixes and general performance improvements
However, if you don't update your iPhone for months, you'll start coming across a lot of bugs and performance issues. Let's browse through the latest iOS versions and check what bug fixes or improvements you might have missed.
iOS 16.4 update is set to bring 31 new emojis to your iPhone. From shaking face, and pink heart to many more - check the full list here. Apple has officially released the iOS 16.4 beta update and it will bring many new features.
How long does it take to update from iOS 15.7 to iOS 16? ›iOS 16 Download- 10 to 40 Mins
If your device is running on the latest version, the size of the update will be smaller, and the download will finish in 10 minutes. On the other hand, if you are running an older version, your download will be larger, and it might take longer than that.
iOS 16: Why you should wait
No iOS release is bug-free, and it's always possible that you're going to run into problems you didn't have before. That said, between the new features and security updates present in iOS 16.1 and beyond, we really think most users will be much better off if they grabbed the latest version.
Is it worth iOS 16? ›
The main reason to update to iOS 16 for most users will be to gain a host of new features, such as Lock Screen customization and widgets, iCloud Shared Photo Library, Passkeys, Shared Tab Groups, and enhancements to Live Text, Visual Look Up, and Dictation, as well as significant updates for Messages, Mail, Home, ...
Does iOS 15.7 take up storage? ›Check that you have enough available storage
iOS 15 will take up about 3.24 GB of storage space, but you'll need more than that to successfully install the update.
If you can't install iOS 16 or iPadOS 16.1 on your iPhone or iPad. You may be unable to update your iPhone or iPad wirelessly — or over the air — for one of these reasons: Your device doesn't support the latest software. There isn't enough available storage space on your device.