If you're having trouble installing iOS 17.3, try these steps

Apple released iOS 17.3 earlier this week, and it includes features like Stolen Device Protection, collaborative Apple Music playlists, and more. However, some users are reporting issues installing the update, and they documented their problems on Apple’s community forums and Reddit. Pop-up error messages include “unable to verify update” and “iOS 17.3 is temporarily unavailable. If you’re having trouble installing iOS 17.3, there may be more at stake than missing out on a few features.

There are 16 total security fixes included in the iOS 17.3 update, as detailed in an Apple support document and first spotted by PhoneArena. The vulnerabilities span from Apple’s Neural Engine to Safari, to Shortcuts. For example, a security flaw in WebKit that allows a bad actor to run code on your device has been actively exploited. So, there are good reasons to update your iPhone as soon as possible.

Easy ways to fix issues with iOS 17.3 installing

Depending on the underlying issue causing your iOS 17.3 update to fail, it could require a simple or complicated fix. The first thing to try is to press the “retry” button in the error message that appears. For some users, the iOS 17.3 update is installed normally after trying it a second time. The next step is to check your network connection because Apple always validates software updates before installing them. If the issue persists, forgetting and reconnecting to your WiFi network might help. If you want to get really creative, USB-C iPhones can actually connect to Ethernet with an adapter.

After that, you’re going to want to try and restart your iPhone. You can do a “soft reset” first, which is just powering down your iPhone as usual and then starting it up again. Then, check to see if you still have trouble installing iOS 17.3. If that doesn’t work, a “hard reset” is next. Press and quickly release the volume up button first, and the volume down button next. Then, press and hold the power button until the Apple logo pops up. Once your phone restarts, try installing the update another time.

The last thing to try if you’re still having trouble installing iOS 17.3

If all else fails, there is a little-known way to re-download the iOS 17.3 update. This could fix your problem if the download got corrupted during the download process. The iOS 17.3 download will show up as an app in your iPhone’s storage so that you can go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to find it. It should be at the top of the list due to its size. Finally, tap the update, delete it, and start the download over again. This is a good step to leave for last because you’ll have to wait for iOS 17.3 to download all over again.

Hopefully, these steps have resolved your iOS 17.3 installation issues. If not, it’s probably time to contact Apple Support.