iOS 16 compatible devicesThings to know before upgrading to iOS 16 through cellular/mobile dataHow to install iOS 16 with cellular/mobile DataChange the date to download an iOS updateUpdate your iPhone to iOS 16 through Mac or PCShare iPhone cellular data to Mac and use it as a Hotspot
iOS 16 compatible devices
List of eligible iPhones for iOS 16 update:
iPhone 13 Pro Max iPhone 13 Pro iPhone 13 iPhone 13 mini iPhone SE 2022 iPhone 12 Pro Max iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 12 iPhone 12 mini iPhone SE 2020 iPhone 11 Pro Max iPhone 11 Pro iPhone 11 iPhone XS Max iPhone XS iPhone XR iPhone X iPhone 8 Plus iPhone 8
Things to know before upgrading to iOS 16 through cellular/mobile data
There is a high chance that the Wi-Fi hotspot hosted from your Mac will be slower than your cellular/mobile data speeds. Please ensure you have fast, stable, and unlimited cellular/mobile data. If you have any existing updates or downloads happening in the background on Mac, please pause those downloads so that you do not exhaust your data limits. It’ll also ensure you get higher speeds if the bandwidth isn’t shared elsewhere. As long as you are using your Mac as a Wi-Fi hotspot host, AirDrop won’t be available on Mac. Also, the same applies to the iPhone being used to share mobile data via USB to Mac. For large software updates, we recommend you connect to a Wi-Fi network.
How to install iOS 16 with cellular/mobile data
A couple of iPhones with support for 5G (iPhone 12 and above) can download the iOS 16 update through Cellular/Mobile Data without any issues. All you need to change are these settings: You can now download and install iOS 16, as following these steps would remove the data cap limits. However, ensure you have enough data left before you proceed so that you do not get stuck in between.
Change the date to download an iOS update
In this method, you need to trick your iPhone into believing it is living in the future. I’m not certain how changing the date allows you to bypass the data cap set on iPhone, but it works. If the Download and Install option still appears grey, even after changing the date, try to switch the date a couple of times, and the option will be available.
Update your iPhone to iOS 16 through Mac or PC
There is a possibility that you do not have a Wi-Fi connection but rather have an active internet connection on your Mac or PC. In this scenario, you can download and install iOS 16 by connecting your iPhone to a Mac or PC through a compatible Lightning cable. Here’s how: It is a possibility that if you have an unstable internet connection, the download will fail. In such cases, you will need to re-download the file. You can download the iOS update through a third-party website to prevent all this hassle. It is an especially useful method for users with unreliable internet connections. Follow these steps to download the iOS 16 update file. Your iPhone will restart once the iOS 16 update is installed.
Share iPhone cellular data to Mac and use it as a Hotspot
This method will work for a specific group of people who own an iPhone and a Mac. All you need to do is connect your iPhone to the Mac and change a couple of settings. There’s no need to rely on third-party applications to perform any of the steps. This works by sharing your iPhone’s cellular/mobile data to Mac via USB. Then, after tweaking some settings, the Mac will act as a Wi-Fi hotspot and share cellular/mobile data. Once the hotspot is set up, you can connect your iPhone to the Mac’s Wi-Fi hotspot, which is your iPhone’s mobile data. All the steps mentioned in the steps are native Mac settings. Before we proceed with the guide, make sure to do the following.
Disconnect your Mac from Wi-Fi: On the Menu Bar, click the Wi-Fi icon → click your current Wi-Fi network to disconnect it. The idea is to disconnect from any active connection, but Wi-Fi is still enabled. On your iPhone: Turn on mobile data. Ensure you have ample or unlimited cellular/mobile data allowance.
Let’s begin. Note: If you do not see an option to set a password in step 11, it means you have accessed this feature in the past. To change the settings, click Wi-Fi Options… and set your password. Finally, click inside the small Internet Sharing box to start sharing your iPhone Mobile Data Hotspot via Wi-Fi. Now, you need to connect your iPhone with the Wi-Fi hotspot shared by your Mac and install the iOS update. To do this:
For users who did not have the iPhone USB option in step 11
Wrapping up… I am still unaware why Apple doesn’t allow users to download iOS updates through cellular/mobile data with a 4G network connection. The above-listed methods will help you upgrade from iOS 15 to iOS 16 and work for other incremental updates. However, whenever you have the chance, please try and connect to a Wi-Fi network to update iOS on your iPhone. If you’re a beta user, you can easily uninstall iOS 16 beta and install the stable build of iOS 16. If you have any questions regarding the steps mentioned above, leave a comment below, and we will try to resolve your query as soon as possible. Other interesting reads about software released:
25 Best iOS 16 hidden features for iPhone27 Best macOS Ventura hidden featuresNotifications not working on iPhone in iOS 16? How to fix it?
