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How to perform the most stable and trouble-free iPhone update?

A

aaasss

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 8, 2025
15
7
Hi everyone,

I have an iMac at home and I use an iPhone, but I have a question. How can I update my iPhone via my iMac in the most stable and trouble-free way without deleting my data? I've heard that updating via phone isn't a reliable method, is that true?
 
Your iPhone can update OTA (over-the-air) just fine without any issues. You don't need a Mac to own an iPhone. Most of the world still uses Windows and many of those still use iPhones every single day with zero update concerns. Adding a Mac to the mix means you doubled the possible issues since now you could have two devices that could be at fault instead of just one. The more complicated you make updating, the more likely you will end up with a headache at one point or another.

Back up your data to iCloud and stay away from betas if you have data loss concerns. And if you want to be extra careful (paranoid?), just don't update on day 1 of an update's release--there have been a couple cases of updates being pulled, but it is very uncommon.
 
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HouseLannister said:
Your iPhone can update OTA (over-the-air) just fine without any issues. You don't need a Mac to own an iPhone. Most of the world still uses Windows and many of those still use iPhones every single day with zero update concerns. Adding a Mac to the mix means you doubled the possible issues since now you could have two devices that could be at fault instead of just one. The more complicated you make updating, the more likely you will end up with a headache at one point or another.

Back up your data to iCloud and stay away from betas if you have data loss concerns. And if you want to be extra careful (paranoid?), just don't update on day 1 of an update's release--there have been a couple cases of updates being pulled, but it is very uncommon.
Click to expand...
Would updating through Finder be completely sufficient? I'm a bit picky about this.
 
The Update Process, regardless of how you do it, will consist of the iOS/iPadOS files/package being downloaded and then applied. So, either downloading the .ipsw file and moving forward on macOS or Windows SHOULD be the same, as the file would be the same. Updating OTA still downloads the same files, but sometimes does so like how a "delta" update would as opposed to downloading the entire file. Some updates OTA DO download the entire file, usually on the main upgrades and then corresponding "point" updates like the upcoming 26"point"2 update.

If you're wanting to be "sure" about things and you're using an iMac, it'd be done from within the Finder app. You can either then download the .ipsw file manually from Apple and then press Option + 'Check for Update' and then browse to that downloaded file, or you can simply press the Update option in Finder and let Finder download that same .ipsw file (to a buried temp folder).

If you're following along, there is an Apple Devices app for Windows, too, but ... yeah. That's mainly hit or miss, and I'm sure that has nothing to do with the iDevice or .ipsw file, and more of how crappy Windows has become when using Apple devices...
 
If you update with a computer make sure to encrypt your backup so you don't lose sensitive data.
 
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gank41 said:
The Update Process, regardless of how you do it, will consist of the iOS/iPadOS files/package being downloaded and then applied. So, either downloading the .ipsw file and moving forward on macOS or Windows SHOULD be the same, as the file would be the same. Updating OTA still downloads the same files, but sometimes does so like how a "delta" update would as opposed to downloading the entire file. Some updates OTA DO download the entire file, usually on the main upgrades and then corresponding "point" updates like the upcoming 26"point"2 update.

If you're wanting to be "sure" about things and you're using an iMac, it'd be done from within the Finder app. You can either then download the .ipsw file manually from Apple and then press Option + 'Check for Update' and then browse to that downloaded file, or you can simply press the Update option in Finder and let Finder download that same .ipsw file (to a buried temp folder).

If you're following along, there is an Apple Devices app for Windows, too, but ... yeah. That's mainly hit or miss, and I'm sure that has nothing to do with the iDevice or .ipsw file, and more of how crappy Windows has become when using Apple devices...
Click to expand...
Is it possible to perform a clean install, a DFU restore to the latest iOS version, using a Windows machine? How? I’ve always done it through my Mac, but I think soon I’m gonna need to do it using a Windows 10 or 11 PC. Should I install iTunes on the Windows PC?
 
Populus said:
Is it possible to perform a clean install, a DFU restore to the latest iOS version, using a Windows machine? How? I’ve always done it through my Mac, but I think soon I’m gonna need to do it using a Windows 10 or 11 PC. Should I install iTunes on the Windows PC?
Click to expand...
The MS App Apple Devices is supposed to be the way now.
 
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aaasss said:
Hi everyone,

I have an iMac at home and I use an iPhone, but I have a question. How can I update my iPhone via my iMac in the most stable and trouble-free way without deleting my data? I've heard that updating via phone isn't a reliable method, is that true?
Click to expand...

The process is different but the end results are identical. Part of the update process is verifying this bit for bit parity.

If you just prefer using a Mac all you do is open finder and press 'check for updates', then update iPhone. You won't lose any of your data regardless of how you update. However that said, make sure you have a back up prior to updating regardless of how you do it.
 
I finally used the Apple Devices app on the Windows machine. It worked great!

ifxf said:
Last five years, I have exclusively used OTA. Never had an issue.
Click to expand...

Good for you, but if anything goes rogue or wrong, the protocol to fix it is always a deep clean install. There are already posts on this forum about the upgrade from iOS 18 to 26 going not so well, so in case of doubt, I always perform a clean install using the IPWS file, something that has always given me good results.
 
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