Apple’s next-generation mobile operating system iOS 7 is all set to be publicly released this Wednesday, September 18th, and here are some tips to help you get ready for the update, which comes with over 200 features including a whole-new look, an all-new Control Center, a smarter multitasking system and much more.
Compatibility
iOS 7 will be available as a free upgrade for the following iOS devices:
- iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPhone 4
- iPad 4, iPad 3, iPad 2, iPad mini
- iPod touch 5G
Update to Latest iTunes
Make sure you’ve updated to the latest iTunes version, iTunes 11.0.5.
Backup of your iOS Device:
It is always a good idea to take a backup of your iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch before updating it with the latest iOS software update. (Note that if you choose to encrypt your backup using iTunes, along with normal data, secure information like passwords etc. are also backed up.)
You can back up your iOS device using iTunes or iCloud.
Added Precaution
It’s always good to have redundant backups of your photos and videos. While iTunes as well as iCloud do photo backups, there are several third-party solutions like Dropbox (iTunes link) and Google+ (iTunes link) that auto-upload your photo library to the cloud, so you can recover your life moments if something goes horribly wrong.
Save SHSH Blobs:
While most new devices can’t actually be downgraded to an older firmware Apple has stopped signing, it is still a good idea to keep backing up your SHSH blobs. It’s very simple to save SHSH blobs using TinyUmbrella or save SSH and APTicket using Cydia’s TSS Center on older iOS device.
Jailbreakers and Unlockers:
If you have jailbroken and/or unlocked your iPhone and cannot live without your favorite jailbreak apps and tweaks then it is recommended that you avoid updating to iOS 7, until the evad3rs team releases an iOS 7 jailbreak. pod2g says that he feels increasingly confident there will be an iOS 7 jailbreak, so hopefully you won’t have to wait long.
If you’re not sure what to do, then checkout our post, which gives the latest status update on jailbreaking iOS 7 and the comprehensive list of iOS 7 features.
Delete Unused Apps
A major OS upgrade is a good time to think over the apps you have installed, and delete ones that you hardly use.
Installing iOS 7:
iOS 7 will be available as an update from iTunes as well as an over-the-air update, which allows you to download iOS software updates (just incremental changes) without plugging your iOS device to the computer.
If you are not planning to upgrade, make sure that you don’t mistakenly agree to install iOS 7.
Jailbreakers, note that if you’ve used evasi0n, OTA updates will be disabled, which is good if you plan to hold-off updating, but if do want to upgrade, you’ll have to restore via iTunes.
You can also update your iOS device to iOS 7 using iTunes by plugging it to your computer. We’ll be publishing direct download links as soon as they’re available.
When will iOS 7 be released
Apple should release iOS 7 at around 10 AM PST/1 PM EST. Apple had released iOS 6 in 2012, iOS 5 in 2011 and iOS 4 in 2010 at that time. If you’re wondering what time it will be released in your timezone then we’ve you covered. Check the table below to find out what time it may get released in your timezone.
* = adjusted for daylight saving time (DST) or summer time
After you’ve followed the steps mentioned above, you should be ready to download and install iOS 7 as soon as it is available and start using the new features in the latest iOS.
