iPadOS 15.0.1 "Software Update Failed"

[taxet]

Here’s how I finally updated my iPad Pro 2nd gen to 15.0.1 last week and to 15.0.2 today…was having same issues as everyone else here; stuck on “verifying update” part no matter what I tried to make it update. I have a cellular model but no active plan on it currently…had an old SIM card laying around and figured what the heck, let me put it in and see what happens…I toggled the cell data button on and went to download the 15.0.1 again, and guess what, actually updated this time!!! (turning on cell data, even with a non working sim, somehow triggered something to update the OS 🤷🏾‍♂️

There’s one thing I should clarify: you have to delete the previously failed download by going to settings>general>iPhone storage and manually delete the 15.0.1 file as rebooting will not automatically delete it

Hope this works for y’all, as it did for me!

I really wasn't ready to believe that this would do anything but since I also had an old sim card laying around, when I came across your post I thought there's probably no harm to give it a go at least. I didn't toggle the cell data on though, just shoved an old sim card in and hit install. I have a iPad Pro 9.7" and now it's updated from 15.0 to 15.0.2 without issues.

Hopefully this won't become a habit, but I'm definitely keeping this whole sim card thing as a regular troubleshooting tool to these issues from now on.

 

[barrong06]

I really wasn't ready to believe that this would do anything but since I also had an old sim card laying around, when I came across your post I thought there's probably no harm to give it a go at least. I didn't toggle the cell data on though, just shoved an old sim card in and hit install. I have a iPad Pro 9.7" and now it's updated from 15.0 to 15.0.2 without issues.

Hopefully this won't become a habit, but I'm definitely keeping this whole sim card thing as a regular troubleshooting tool to these issues from now on.

Hey - the SIM card idea was all it needed. I don't even have a SIM card in my ipad BUT I ejected the card holder and the download started successfully and is installing as I type this. Super - it installed properly on my ipad. So all you need to do is pop out the SIM card holder and it will load. Strange but it worked!! Thanks for your help!!

 

[Jeff Flowerday]

Makes sense, mine is a cellular version as well without a sim card. I think @Phillyphil0302 found the root problem. Good Work!

 

[Legendts]

Had the same issue with my 10.5 as 15.0.1 update so did the same this time by installing my modem sim. Downloaded OK then. This seems to be the fix until Apple get their act together.

As a matter of interest is everyone with a cellular iPad and no sim the only ones having the issue?

 

[schlepprock250]

My wifes iPad Pro 9.7 has had issues trying to update to 15.0.1, and then the same with 15.0.2. Hers is a cellular version that also doesn't have active service. However my iPad Pro 9.7 updated to 15.0.1 just fine, but mine is BT only.
I haven't tried the Sim thing on hers yet.

 

[Legendts]

Sounds like it might only be no sim equipped iPads then. Drop the sim into it and I bet it downloads OK.

 

[sroal]

I've been able to update to iOS 15.0.1 on my iPhone just fine, but I've attempted to update to iPadOS 15.0.1 on my iPad ten times now and it always ends in "software update failed." Restarting doesn't help. Anyone else seeing this?

It happened to me on the iPhone when I was trying to update from my Mac. In the end I had to do it through Wi-Fi.

 

[Jeff Flowerday]

I have a iPad Air without sim that updated fine. Ipad Pro 2 didn’t without sim.

FWIW

 

[98lilgary]

This worked for some iPad Pro 2 users. It appears to be an issue with the Sim. Download your update. Then click on install update. Open up the sim holder. Sometimes opening it will trigger the install.

If not try using iTunes on your PC to update the iPad Pro 2. Shutdown your Touch ID and passcode before starting the process. This worked for my husbands iPad Pro 12.9 second generation.

Good luck! Hopefully Apple does their job and gets this fixed.

 

[Legendts]

I’ll try opening just the sim holder next update if it doesn’t download out of curiosity and see if that works for me.

 

[HarshaniS]

One of the most common reasons an iOS update might fail is because of a lack of storage space. This is easy to resolve, so long as you're willing to make some short-term sacrifices by deleting music, apps, photos, or videos. You only need to delete enough stuff to free up the storage required by the iOS update.

 

[Legendts]

Definitely no shortage of storage on my devices but could be an issue for some.

 

[JessicaTree]

I had the same problem with 15.02 as I had with 15.01 - my iPhone updated in a matter of minutes, but the iPad Pro 12.9 2nd gen would not install, even when I removed the empty SIM card tray as others had advised doing. I‘ve managed to update it by connecting the iPad to a windows desktop and going through iTunes for windows again. It was fairly straightforward apart from itunes saying it couldn’t sync with the iPad at first, I disconnected and turned the iPad on and off, connected again and it installed after a couple of hours.

 

[Pdb0001]

Thank you so much, I can't believe this worked. Same issue, cellular iPad (Pro 10.5 inch) with no SIM installed. 15.0.0 went on fine but 15.0.1 and 15.0.2 would NOT install, kept getting stuck on Verifying Update every time. Popping out the SIM holder didn't seem to do much, maybe it would have worked if I persisted, but I borrowed the SIM out of my phone, put it in the iPad, turned mobile data on and back off, and 15.0.2 then installed first time.

 

[Legendts]

Good to hear most seem to be able to download the updates by putting a sim in the holder. Pity this wasn’t seen by Apple and fixed. They have now had enough time to rectify the issue.

 

[Banglazed]

Certainly a unique issue and may possibly affect iPhone as well. Hope those experience the issue report it either using the feedback app by entering this below in Safari URL:

applefeedback://

or https://www.apple.com/feedback/

 

[Legendts]

Have already reported it mentioning several users having the issue. Good point as it is easy to forget the feedback forms when rarely having issues and relying on the forums to do the work.

 

[jamesdean74]

My 2020 12.9 pro updated no problem, but my old 9.7 pro gets stuck in the “verifying update” like many of you.

 

[Legendts]

Is your 9.7 cellular and if so is a sim card inserted?

 

[jamesdean74]

Is your 9.7 cellular and if so is a sim card inserted?

It is cellular but there is no SIM installed at the moment

 

[Legendts]

Thanks. If you insert a sim and then try I believe the update will download. It really is looking like cellular and no sim won’t allow the download and inserting a sim will.

 

[jamesdean74]

Thanks. If you insert a sim and then try I believe the update will download. It really is looking like cellular and no sim won’t allow the download and inserting a sim will.

Thanks! I’ll give it a try tomorrow and post the results.

 

[re5i5tor]

Sheesh. Popped in an old iPhone SIM on my 10.5 iPad Pro — 15.0.2 installed immediately.

 

[Legendts]

Looks like that is the thing to do and only happens when no SIM is in cellular iPads.

 

[Tritto]

I previously had a failed update to 15.0.1 on my Air2 (wifi). Today I attempted to update via iTunes (windows). Plugging in I was notified that 15.0.2 was available, would I like to download and update? Yes. You must be on the latest version of iTunes to perform this update! Check for updates - you're on the latest version of iTunes.
Apple really has messed up this time.