Why are cellular updates not an option?

Since you can't what you want and since the cellular providers put the limitation on this (with the exception of the new iPhone 12 using unlimited 5G data), if you don't want to use Wifi (something most of us have wide access to), you can connect your iPhone to your computer and update your phone using iTunes.

See this link --> Update software on iPhone, iPad or iPod touch in iTunes on PC - Apple Support

I was going to add that to my previous response, this has not been a problem for Android phones as updates and few and far between often leaving a large percentage of the user base unable to update as their hardware won't support it and they generally don't make a release announcement so you don't have everyone trying to update at one time.

So your options at this point would be:

1. Get a MiFi device from your cell service provider and connect to that to update.
2. Go back to an Android phone.
3. Wait until the iPhone 13 is released (event is September 14, 2021 at 10:00am PDT) and get one of those and a 5G plan and then update using cellular.

v131c wrote:

In your reply: Ask your cellular carrier. Are you suggesting that my cellular carrier controls the option to get system updates on my phone?

Are you asking about updating your cellular or asking why you can't update the ios over cellular? IF the latter wifi is required to update over the air. If neither is the question then explain it better.

You didn't ask about system updates in your original post.

Cellular updates and system updates are two completely different things.

System updates (iOS) updates for an iPhone X can only be done on a computer with an Internet connection (not a hotspot)

No, what he is telling you is that when Apple originally released the iPhone cell service providers requested the OS downloads and Apps over 100MB not be allowed as when they were released they would tie up all the available bandwidth and people would complain about their service. Since that time Apple has increased the app size you can download but held to restricting iOS update downloads.

It is now allowed on 5G if you have a plan that supports it and you make one change to your settings. Same for iCloud backups. While Apple limits it on the device it was requested by cell service providers.

Glad you solved your own problem.

You could go to an Apple Store or Best Buy and use their internet, it is protected. Any coffee shop that uses a passcode will also work if you connect, go immediately to the update and let it download and update. It is inaccessible when you tap Install.

v131c wrote:

Why are cellular updates to system on iPhone not an option? My phone is my internet service.

ASk your cellular data provider that quetsion.

Technically the cell service providers don't put this limitation on, Apple and iOS do that. Some just requested it in the past.