How to update from iOS 13 to 15 with iPhone 8?

[Thierrysn]

Hello people,

I have an iPhone 8 with an old 13.5 iOS which I want to update. I want to update because many apps I use requier iOS 14 or higher. I was thinking of updating for a longer time and now I decided to do it, I saw iOS 16 just came out. But I don't want a .0 version, so I think I want the latest iOS 15 version. When I check my Phone for an OTA update OR when I plug in my phone at my Windows pc and start iTunes, I only have the option to update to iOS 16. iOS 15.7 is not an option, unfortunately.
Which options do I have to update my iPhone to iOS 15.7?
Thanks in advance!

 

[kitKAC]

Download the correct IPSW file for your iPhone 8 from here:

https://ipsw.me/

In iTunes, I think you hold down the SHIFT key while clicking on the Update button and that should give you a file picker to select the IPSW file to update your iPhone with.

 

[Thierrysn]

Thanks! I just tried it, but I've got the message that it will erase my iPhone completely. Can't I just update my iOS where everything stays? I don't want a complete new install, I just want to update the iOS.

 

[kitKAC]

You're definitely SHIFT-clicking the Update button and not Restore? Updating should work....

Can you update an iPhone from an .ipsw without losing all settings?

I want to upgrade an iPhone SE (1st gen) from iOS 14.3 to 14.8, not iOS 15. (Evidently, Apple added the code that allows you to stay on the iOS 14 track at a later date, as it only shows options for

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