iOS 18 Update Not Showing Up: Why & How to Fix

Here comes iOS 18, the latest system for your iPhone. Although Apple released it not long ago, it re-launched iOS 18 shortly, focusing on fixing bugs and improving security. Tested to be stable and effective, iOS 18 has caught lots of attention. However, some users, particularly those who are running older iPhone models such as iPhone 12, 11, etc., are having trouble with the iOS 18 update not showing.

By default, Software Update in Settings will notify the latest iOS update, so why isn't iOS 18 showing up? Read on to find out why you are unable to update iOS and solutions to address this issue.

Why Isn't iOS 18 Showing Up?

There are a few reasons why you don't have the iOS 18 update. To start with, like all iOS 17 updates, iOS 18 is compatible with all iPhones released in 2018 or later. If your device is below the range, there’s nothing you can do. Make sure your iPhone makes its debut after 2018 and let’s explore the reasons.

Did you disable the Automatic Updates? If you have manually turned off the automatic update, you may miss the update alert and the following process. Secondly, a stable internet connection is highly important for your iPhone to check for updates. iOS update not showing up may result from a weak Wi-Fi or cellular connection.

Sometimes, VPNs or security software can also block the update notifications. If you have any of these third-party tools, check if they are misbehaving. Last, although it doesn’t happen often, there’s a slight chance that Apple Server is down. In this case, there’s not much you can do.

How to Fix the "iOS 18 Update Not Showing Up" Issue

Based on the causes above, you can address iOS 18 not showing up with the following solutions. Let’s start with easy ones.

Check Apple Servers Status

As we said before, it’s rare but Apple Servers do get shut down. To figure out if it’s Apple’s fault, check its official page to see all system status.

Enable Automatic Updates

To ensure that automatic updates are enabled, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates. Make sure both Download iOS Updates and Install iOS Updates are toggled on. Go back to the Software Update panel, can you see the notification now?

Check for Internet Connection

When checking for the iOS 18 update, make sure you have a well-connected internet, preferably a strong Wi-Fi connection with 3-bar signals. If there’s no stable internet available, wait till you have the chance.

Turn off VPN or Third-party Security Software

By temporarily disabling VPN or security software services, you allow your iPhone to connect directly to Apple’s servers without any interference, which can help in receiving update notifications. To turn off a VPN on an iPhone, Go to Settings > VPN, and toggle the VPN switch to off. As for security tools, you may want to uninstall them for a smooth iOS 18 update.

Use BuhoRepair to Fix the iOS Update Not Showing

The final stop to fixing the iOS update not showing up issue lies in upgrading the system. What if you are allowed to bypass this problem and find another way to upgrade iOS? That’s when BuhoRepair comes in to help. Never heard of it? Take your time to explore this all-in-one, Apple-notarized iOS repair tool.

BuhoRepair is a versatile iOS system recovery tool designed to resolve all your iOS-related issues, including common problems like a bricked iPhone, a frozen iPhone, a fast battery drain, and more. Additionally, as a system recovery tool, it handles everything related to iOS—whether you need to perform a system repair, reset your device, or upgrade/downgrade iOS, BuhoRepair has you covered.

When encountering the iOS 18 update not showing, BuhoRepair can be your lifesaver. Simply download and launch this iOS system recovery software on your problematic iPhone, then connect it to a computer, the rest is to upgrade iOS as you wish.

Bonus: Unable to Install iOS 18 Update, What to Do

In addition to the iOS update not showing, one more common scenario users run into when it comes to Apple’s new system is that they fail to install it. How’s that happening? Here’s a list of quick diagnoses and fixes that might help you in the near future.

• Device compatibility: Similarly, your iPhone has to be in the supported device range.
• Internet connection: Be it a Wi-Fi or cellular connection, make sure it’s stable and strong, though Wi-Fi is preferable for updates.
• iPhone capacity: An iOS upgrade requires ample capacity to finish. For example, if you want a smooth update to iOS 18, your iPhone should ideally have around 5 to 10 GB of free space.
• Battery level: If your battery is below 50%, you can’t download the update. You can either finish the update when it’s fully charged or charge your iPhone while updating.