Is it better to update using Finder/iTunes vs over the air?

[blj3303]

Just curious. What method do you all use to update your phones to the new iOS? iTunes/Finder or over the air? I'm a bit old school and still update my phone using Finder on my Mac. I usually wait about a month or so after the release to update and opted for 18.7.

There have been several posts where people are finding iOS 26 laggy while others find it smooth and better, so I'm curious if the update method has much of an impact on performance.

 

[rowi1de]

I'm also old school.
In theory, it should result in the same outcome.
However, I also trust it more to do it via the Mac for Major Upgrades.

OTA feels like replacing the ladder you are standing on while changing a light bulb.
Probably not true as the iPhone goes into the Install mode (Apple Logo, Progress Bar) in both case.

 

[Mike Boreham]

Just curious. What method do you all use to update your phones to the new iOS? iTunes/Finder or over the air? I'm a bit old school and still update my phone using Finder on my Mac. I usually wait about a month or so after the release to update and opted for 18.7.

There have been several posts where people are finding iOS 26 laggy while others find it smooth and better, so I'm curious if the update method has much of an impact on performance.

My understanding is that OTA is a delta update and Finder would be a full installer, but would like to see that confirmed or otherwise.

 

[addamas]

Going Beta or updating to new main release (so iOS 17.0.0, 18.0.0) I have always did via cable with full backup before that - so it was easier to just plug phone to Mac / Windows to do this backup and then update.

So yeah, really good question to be answered by someone knowing it from kitchen - for sure in each cases checksums of installers are checked before that as I had once issues with OTA leading to updating it once again on iPhone...

 

[BigBlur]

My understanding is that OTA is a delta update and Finder would be a full installer, but would like to see that confirmed or otherwise.

Yes, that's correct. When doing OTA, there's no need to redownload files that haven't changed. The end result is exactly the same either way. Apple seals and signs the OS volume and checks to make sure it matches the hash of what they know it should be. If it doesn't match, the phone won't boot and will tell you to connect it to a computer to restore it.

Just curious. What method do you all use to update your phones to the new iOS? iTunes/Finder or over the air? I'm a bit old school and still update my phone using Finder on my Mac. I usually wait about a month or so after the release to update and opted for 18.7.

If your phone supports iOS 26, then iOS 18.7 is an OTA-only update. There is no IPSW (full installer) to do it through Finder. Finder will install iOS 26. Also, I believe Apple will only sign 18.7 for a limited time. Waiting a month might be too late, and iOS 26 will become your only option.

There have been several posts where people are finding iOS 26 laggy while others find it smooth and better, so I'm curious if the update method has much of an impact on performance.

This is why I always upgrade to the RC. It gives me extra time to try things out for myself, and have a longer opportunity to downgrade back to the previous OS if needed. I've never had to do this though.

 

[blj3303]

Yes, that's correct. When doing OTA, there's no need to redownload files that haven't changed. The end result is exactly the same either way. Apple seals and signs the OS volume and checks to make sure it matches the hash of what they know it should be. If it doesn't match, the phone won't boot and will tell you to connect it to a computer to restore it.


If your phone supports iOS 26, then iOS 18.7 is an OTA-only update. There is no IPSW (full installer) to do it through Finder. Finder will install iOS 26. Also, I believe Apple will only sign 18.7 for a limited time. Waiting a month might be too late, and iOS 26 will become your only option.


This is why I always upgrade to the RC. It gives me extra time to try things out for myself, and have a longer opportunity to downgrade back to the previous OS if needed. I've never had to do this though.

Thanks. I updated my devices to iOS and iPadOS 18.7 via ota until I’m ready to update to iOS/iPadOS 26 via Finder

 

[nikster21]

How do you get finder to update to IOS26? when I hit update, it says you are onteh latest update with 18.7. My phone is a 15 pro and I am on a mac mini m4 running Tahoe

 

[Nozuka]

OTA is likely their most tested method, because that is what most people will be doing.

 

[rowi1de]

Well, the fact that Apple considers iOS 26 Production Ready ... I hope they are still able to implement checksums correctly

 

[S.B.G]

I hadn't thought about updating an iDevice via iTunes for years. I guess I didn't think that was a thing anymore. That said I have been doing OTA updates for a long time now and in my experience I've no trouble with it.

 

[blj3303]

How do you get finder to update to IOS26? when I hit update, it says you are onteh latest update with 18.7. My phone is a 15 pro and I am on a mac mini m4 running Tahoe

I noticed that as well. Perhaps Finder will give the option for iOS26 when there's a new update. That's just a guess.

 

[Corpuscle]

How do you get finder to update to IOS26? when I hit update, it says you are onteh latest update with 18.7. My phone is a 15 pro and I am on a mac mini m4 running Tahoe

I noticed that as well. Perhaps Finder will give the option for iOS26 when there's a new update. That's just a guess.

Same here for my iPhone and 2 iPads. This is the first time I haven't been able to update via Finder. I wonder if it's related to having 18.7 vs an earlier version. Anyone go from 18.6 to 26 via Finder?