iTunes not updating iPhone SE and iPad

Question

Level 1

4 points

iTunes not updating iPhone SE and iPad

My iPhone SE (2nd Generation) is currently updated to iOS 18.7.2,However, the software update shows that I should update to iOS 26.1. I tried to update my iPhone using i Tunes (version 12.13.9.1) but it says that the iPhone is updated with the latest version 18.7.2. I have had the same problem on my iPAD where iTunes says I have the latest update at 17.7 .2 and does not recognise iPadOS 18.7.2. With only 32GB of storage even stripping back my applications there is no room to update my system without using iTunes. Can someone help this old codger?

iPhone SE (2nd generation)

Posted on Dec 9, 2025 11:27 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 11, 2025 12:35 AM in response to sam4legs

You need to update Apple Device Support on Windows — not iTunes itself.

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Answer 2

Z-Salem

Level 2

221 points

Dec 15, 2025 4:33 AM in response to sam4legs

This is a longstanding issue in iTunes. My phone is on 18.7.2 and iTunes is on 12.13.9.1 and iTunes will not offer up iOS 26.2 (or 26-anything), yet I could update via my phone without issue. It did the same with 18 when I was on 17. and 17 when I was on 16.

iTunes for a few years consistently seems to be unable to update to the next feature version.

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Answer 3

sam4legs Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 14, 2025 4:58 AM in response to azaksalmarzur28

Thank you for your response. I loaded the Apple Device App on my iPad. However it also said the iPad software was up to date at 17.7.2. On my ipad it is saying update iPadOS 18.7.3 is available. It has been unable to download as it says it requires 11.54GB of available storage during installion. I stripped back by 32GB ipad to provide more storage than this, but it proved insufficient - hence the need to update the software using my Windows 11 software. Any suggestions please?

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