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Why won't iOS 11 download?

Apple's iOS 11 came out yesterday, but for whatever reason I couldn't get it on my iPhone. Here's how I fixed it.

Jason Parker Senior Editor / Reviews - Software
Jason Parker has been at CNET for nearly 15 years. He is the senior editor in charge of iOS software and has become an expert reviewer of the software that runs on each new Apple device. He now spends most of his time covering Apple iOS releases and third-party apps.
Jason Parker
2 min read

iOS 11 was making me crazy, but not for the reasons you might think. It wasn't crashing or glitching out or erasing my contacts or anything like that. 

ios1033

What I saw. Every. Time.

Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

I simply couldn't get it.
Starting at 10 a.m. PT yesterday, the latest version of Apple 's iPhone software became available to everyone. Everyone, that is, except for me. No matter how many times I refreshed, restarted, rebooted or wished with the fervent hope of a slot-machine addict, my phone simply wouldn't say "iOS 11 is ready to download." 

I googled, I read forums, I talked to all the great tech minds here at CNET, and yet when I hit that "Software Update" button in the system settings, it said I was up to date. 

Up to date with iOS 10.3.3.

Update: Here's how to fix it.  

Here's what I didn't know. The reason why I wasn't getting the iOS 11 update was because I was still on Apple's beta program -- a toggle flipped almost absentmindedly 15 months ago so I could try iOS 10 early. It never occurred to me to switch it off.

If you're experiencing the same thing, here's how you fix it:

  • Go to Settings > General, then scroll down to Profile.
  • Tap on your Beta Software Profile.
  • Tap Delete, then enter your passcode if necessary and tap Delete again.
iphone-ios-beta-unenroll
Apple/Screenshot by CNET

Now, all you need to do is restart your iPhone and the iOS 11 update should be available to download.

I wasn't the only one having this problem, so I hope this helps!

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