iOS updates don't land all too often, but when they are doing, users out there rush to set up them on their own iPhones as soon as Apple starts the rollout

While you probably have no doubt about, manually going to the software update section in your iPhone triggers a manual check for updates, whereby the unit is automatically provided with the most recent iOS version, if your newer version is obviously available.

In other words, if you manually check for updates, you will get the most recent version of the operating-system without waiting. However, should you don't worry about software updates and don't manually look for updates, it requires up to 4 weeks for an iPhone to notify you in regards to a new version of iOS.

The phased rollout

Just in case you're wondering why the device needs a lot time to let you know an update can be obtained, Craig Federighi, Apple's senior VP of software engineering, has got the answer. Inside a mailed response offered to a reddit user, Federighi explains it's all due to the phased rollout that Apple uses for software updates.

"We incrementally rollout new iOS updates by first which makes them readily available for the ones that explicitly seek them out in Settings, and then 1-4 weeks later (after we've received feedback around the update) increase to rolling out devices with auto-update enabled," he said.

The phased rollout isn't new things within the software world, and for example, Microsoft uses a similar system for major operating-system updates, including the rollout of Windows 11.

The biggest benefit for the parent company and users themselves would be that the phased rollout assists you to find bugs and issues in early phases, and for that reason prevent them from hitting a bigger quantity of devices. Consequently, the rollout can also be suspended if your significant problem was discovered.