Why iOS update is 75MB but requires 1.5GB to install?
Because that 75 MB contains 3kb of changes to make to this 1MB file, and 2kb of changes to make to this 2MB file, etc etc. when it installs, it has to load the original file, duplicate it, apply the changes, and then return the file to its original place and delete the original. So why don't they…
The Short Answer
Because that 75 MB contains 3kb of changes to make to this 1MB file, and 2kb of changes to make to this 2MB file, etc etc. when it installs, it has to load the original file, duplicate it, apply the changes, and then return the file to its original place and delete the original. So why don't they just do this one file at a time, instead of doing them all at once? I am guessing this has to do with safety. If you do it one file at a time and the process gets interrupted, you can end up with a half-applied update and completely bricked phone. OTOH, if you store all the modified files until the last second, there is a much smaller chance of the process being interrupted at a crucial point, and he phone can more easily fall back to its previous functional state.
Analysis
Key Concepts: File, changes, original
This explanation focuses on file, changes, original and spans 147 words across 6 sentences. At 116% above the average General Knowledge explanation (68 words), this is one of the more thorough answers in this category, reflecting the complexity of the underlying question.
What This Answer Covers
The explanation opens with: “Because that 75 MB contains 3kb of changes to make to this 1MB file, and 2kb of changes to make to this 2MB file, etc et” It then elaborates by explaining the root cause, ultimately building toward a complete picture across 6 connected points.
How This Compares in General Knowledge
Ranked #23 of 500 General Knowledge questions by answer depth (top 5%). This places it in the comprehensive tier — the top quarter of most thoroughly answered questions. Questions at this depth typically involve multi-faceted topics requiring nuanced explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a simple explanation for why why ios update is 75mb but requires 1.5gb to install?
Because that 75 MB contains 3kb of changes to make to this 1MB file, and 2kb of changes to make to this 2MB file, etc etc. when it installs, it has to load the original file, duplicate it, apply the changes, and then return the file to its original…
How detailed is this explanation compared to similar General Knowledge questions?
This is one of the most thorough answer at 147 words, ranked #23 of 500 General Knowledge questions by depth. The key concepts covered are file, changes, original.
What approach does this answer take to explain why ios update is 75mb but requires 1.5gb to install?
The explanation uses root cause analysis across 147 words. It is categorized under General Knowledge and addresses the question through 1 analytical lens.