Upgrading an iPhone 4 to the latest operating system, iOS 9, can seem like a daunting task for some. However, with a few simple steps, anyone with an iPhone 4 can easily upgrade to iOS 9 and enjoy the new features and improvements it has to offer. In this article, we will outline the steps and provide tips on how to safely and successfully upgrade your iPhone 4 to iOS 9.
What You Need to Know Before Upgrading
Before upgrading your iPhone 4 to iOS 9, there are a few things you should know. First, iOS 9 is not compatible with all iPhone 4 models. Only the iPhone 4s and later models are compatible with iOS 9. Second, upgrading to iOS 9 may cause your iPhone to run slower due to the increased demand on the device’s hardware. Finally, upgrading to iOS 9 may also cause some apps to stop working properly.
Check Your iPhone Model
To check your iPhone model, go to Settings > General > About > Model. If your model number begins with A1332, then your iPhone 4 is compatible with iOS 7 or 8, but not iOS 9. If your model number begins with A1387, then your iPhone 4s is compatible with iOS 9.
Backup Your iPhone
Before upgrading, it’s important to backup your iPhone to avoid losing any important data. You can backup your iPhone using iCloud or iTunes. To backup using iCloud, go to Settings > iCloud > Backup > Backup Now. To backup using iTunes, connect your iPhone to your computer, open iTunes, and click on the iPhone icon. From there, click on “Back Up Now.”
Check App Compatibility
Some apps may not work properly after upgrading to iOS 9. Before upgrading, check the App Store to see if any of your apps have updates available. If an app has not been updated in a while, it may not be compatible with iOS 9.
How to Upgrade to iOS 9
To upgrade your iPhone 4s to iOS 9, follow these steps:
- Connect your iPhone to Wi-Fi and a power source
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update
- Your iPhone will automatically check for updates. If an update is available, click “Download and Install”
- Enter your passcode if prompted
- Agree to the terms and conditions
- Your iPhone will begin downloading the update. This may take a while depending on the speed of your internet connection
- Once the download is complete, your iPhone will begin installing the update. This may take up to 30 minutes
- Your iPhone will restart once the installation is complete
Key takeaway: Upgrading an iPhone 4 to iOS 9 may cause the device to run slower due to increased demand on its hardware, and some apps may stop working properly. Before upgrading, it’s important to check the iPhone model compatibility, backup important data, and check app compatibility. If issues are encountered during the upgrade, restarting the iPhone, freeing up space, updating iTunes, or contacting Apple support may help. If upgrading from iOS 7 or earlier, the upgrade must be performed using iTunes.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter any issues while upgrading to iOS 9, here are some troubleshooting tips to try:
Restart Your iPhone
Sometimes, simply restarting your iPhone can fix the issue. To restart your iPhone, hold down the power button until the “slide to power off” option appears. Slide the button to power off your iPhone, then hold down the power button again to turn it back on.
Free Up Space
If you receive an error message saying that there is not enough space to install the update, try deleting some apps or files to free up space. To see what is taking up the most space on your iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
Update iTunes
If you are updating your iPhone using iTunes and encounter an error, make sure that you have the latest version of iTunes installed. To check for updates, go to Help > Check for Updates in iTunes.
Contact Apple Support
If none of these troubleshooting tips work, contact Apple support for further assistance. You can contact them through their website, by phone, or in person at an Apple Store.
Upgrading from iOS 7 or Earlier
If you are upgrading to iOS 9 from iOS 7 or earlier, you will need to use iTunes to perform the upgrade. Follow these steps:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer
- Open iTunes and click on the iPhone icon
- Click on “Check for Update”
- If an update is available, click “Download and Update”
- Enter your passcode if prompted
- Agree to the terms and conditions
- Your iPhone will begin downloading the update. This may take a while depending on the speed of your internet connection
- Once the download is complete, your iPhone will begin installing the update. This may take up to 30 minutes
- Your iPhone will restart once the installation is complete
FAQs: How to Upgrade iPhone 4 to iOS 9
Can I upgrade an iPhone 4 to iOS 9?
No, you cannot upgrade an iPhone 4 to iOS 9. The highest supported version of iOS for the iPhone 4 is iOS 7.1.2. Apple discontinued software updates for the iPhone 4 in 2014, so it is not possible to install or update to a later version of the operating system.
Why can’t I upgrade my iPhone 4 to iOS 9?
The iPhone 4’s hardware is not capable of supporting iOS 9. iOS 9 requires more processing power and RAM than the iPhone 4 has, so it is not compatible with the device. Apple stopped providing software updates for the iPhone 4 in 2014, and it is unlikely that the company will release any updated software for this device in the future.
What are the alternatives to upgrading an iPhone 4 to iOS 9?
If you want to use features that are available on iOS 9, but not on iOS 7, you can try downloading older versions of apps that support your version of iOS. This will allow you to continue using your device with some updated features, even if you can’t update the operating system itself. Alternatively, you can consider upgrading to a newer iPhone model that supports iOS 9 or later.
Can I jailbreak my iPhone 4 to upgrade to iOS 9?
It is not possible to jailbreak an iPhone 4 to upgrade to iOS 9. Even if you could jailbreak the device, there is no current way to install iOS 9 on an iPhone 4. Attempting to jailbreak your iPhone 4 may also void your warranty and result in security vulnerabilities.
Should I upgrade to a newer iPhone model?
If you need some of the features that are only available on iOS 9 or later, upgrading to a newer iPhone model may be the best choice for you. Apple continues to release new iPhone models with improved hardware and software, so you can enjoy more features and a better user experience. However, if you only need the basic features of a smartphone, an iPhone 4 running iOS 7 may still be adequate for your needs.