How to find updates for your Apple devices in iOS: here’s where to go

Updates for all your Apple devices

Of course, you need to be on the iPhone to check for an update for iOS. But you can also check for software updates for the Apple Watch, AirPods, HomePod and other devices on the iPhone. You do need to look in different places for this: in no less than six (!) different apps. Below we discuss where you can find the updates for iPhone and iPad, App Store apps, Apple Watch, AirPods, HomePod and AirPort. You can find them all in iOS, but you need to know where to look.

For all of these updates, you’ll need to look in multiple places in iOS. This is a big difference from macOS, where all updates can be found in just two places: app updates in the Mac App Store and macOS updates in System Preferences.

How can I update iPhone and iPad?

To update your iPhone or iPad, of course, look in the Settings app:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to General > Software Update.
3. If an update is available you will see it here.

We have a separate tip about updating your iPhone or iPad.

How can I update iOS apps?

If you want to update apps, you obviously need to be in the App Store app, but you can also update iPhone apps via iTunes.

1. Open the App Store app on your device.
2. Tap your profile picture at the top right.
3. Scroll down and you will see an overview of the updates.
4. Tap Update All to install all updates immediately. If you only want to update one specific app, tap Update.
5. If you see an open circle behind an app, it means the app is currently updating. You can pause it by tapping the circle.
6. Once the update is complete, the Open button will appear behind the app.

You can read more about this in our tip on updating apps on iPhone and iPad. If you have automatic app updates turned on, you don’t have to do anything and the apps will be updated automatically. If not, you will have to start the update manually, as explained.

How do I update Apple Watch?

If you want to update your Apple Watch, you have to go to a completely different place: the Watch app on your iPhone. If you are using watchOS 6 or later, you can also install updates without your iPhone nearby. You will have to make sure that the Apple Watch is connected to a trusted Wi-Fi network. Open the Settings app on the Apple Watch and go to General > Software Update. Make sure the battery of your Apple Watch is at least 50% charged and put it on the charger.

It also works on the iPhone:

1. Go to the Watch app on your iPhone.
2. Go to the My Watch tab, then to General > Software Update.
3. Start the update and then wait patiently. This can take half an hour or longer.

How do I update AirPods?

To update your AirPods, you’ll need to go into your Bluetooth settings. There’s no button to update your AirPods, but you can force the update by doing the following:

1. Place the AirPods in the charging case and connect it to a power cable.
2. Open the charging case.
3. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth.
4. Tap the AirPods and connect.
5. Close the charging case again.

You can now see from the version number whether the latest firmware is installed via Settings > General > About > AirPods. If not, you can repeat the steps above. But there is no other way to manually start the update.

How do I update HomePod?

If you have a HomePod, it will also receive regular firmware updates. You can install these HomePod updates via the Home app. The HomePod will appear there as one of the many HomeKit devices you have in your home.

1. If a software update is available for the HomePod, you will receive a notification on your iPhone.
2. You’ll go to the Home app to install the update.
3. You can also use a switch to indicate that you want to install the update automatically, as shown in the image below.

How do I update AirPort?

The AirPort is a router for your wireless network. Apple no longer sells them, but there are still people who use them to their complete satisfaction. Very sporadically, software updates are still released. If you have such an AirPort, you can also update it via your iPhone. To do this, you must be in the separately available AirPort Utility, which you install from the App Store:

Update third-party accessories through your iPhone

If you have third-party devices, such as printers and smart home accessories, you can often update them via your iPhone. To do this, you will need the manufacturer’s app. Manufacturers regularly release firmware updates, in which any bugs are fixed and new functions are added. How this works varies per device, so check the manual for the product in question.

In addition to updating all sorts of devices and accessories via your iPhone, you will of course also want to update your Mac. Fortunately, installing a macOS update is a piece of cake.