iPhone 8 needs iTunes to install iOS 16

By Dominic, 8 September, 2023

Forum
iOS and iPadOS

Has an iPhone 8 that has functional home button.
I tried to updated to iOS 16 C if I can do anything about any problems on the device, but when I open software update, I need to connect my computer to download and install, meaning it won’t let me do a otao, a updates
The device is running iOS 12
I don’t want, I shouldn’t need my computer to install the new iOS update, but I can’t do anything until I install it please help

Options

Comments

By Panais on Saturday, September 23, 2023 - 15:10

Hello dear Dominic!
What exactly do you need help with? Are you having problems downloading iTunes on your PC, or has it anything to do with the process using iTunes? or is it something else entirely?

By Dominic on Saturday, September 23, 2023 - 15:10

What it is is when I open software update on the iPhone 8, it says that I need to install the update using iTunes, so I can’t do it via wireless

By Dominic on Saturday, September 23, 2023 - 15:10

But it’s my cousins iPhone 8, she lives in Tiley different house than mine and there’s no way I’m bringing a MacBook just to update an iPhone...

By Panais on Saturday, September 23, 2023 - 15:10

You have two options buddy.
For one if your cousin has a computer at her place, you can have her download iTunes on her computer.
Second, you can tell her to remind you to bring your MacBook when you’ll next visit her and wait until then to check the phone.

By Dominic on Saturday, September 23, 2023 - 15:10

What does it want me to use iTunes Stho

By Panais on Saturday, September 23, 2023 - 15:10

There’s probably a good reason. Can’t say since I’m not an expert.
Might also be that Apple is stupid and we know better. can’t really tell which of the two. Although I know where I would bet if I was a betting man, which I am not because betting is only good for the bookie.

By Andy Lane on Saturday, September 23, 2023 - 15:10

It might be that there isn’t enough space to unpack the update. As Panais said though, it might be something else. I’d start with the storage checking though. You might need a good 7 or 8 GB to install that update. I’m sure you can google how much space it needs. I’d probably just go with the MacBook option though.

By Brian on Saturday, September 23, 2023 - 15:10

Hey Dominic,

So, this will be a tricky explanation, but bare with me.

iPhone 8 is essentially no longer supported by Apple, at least in terms of the latest Over The Air (OTA) update system. If I understand correctly, that iPhone is currently running iOS 12? Back then iTunes was a thing on Macs, and so a simple plug phone into Mac, and run iTunes to update was all easy peasy like.

Nowadays, iTunes is built into MacOS, although its not really called iTunes. Its not really called anything, its just part of the OS. So you can still update old outdated iPhones to the latest version.

Interestingly enough, once it is updated to iOS 16, assuming you can even put iOS 16 on it, OTA should become available again.

Hope you find this info useful. 😃