Apple will release iOS 10 on Tuesday, September 13, which comes with a number of new features such as major updates to the Messages app, new Home app, all-new Photos, Music and News apps, Siri integration with some types of third-party apps, VoIP calls integration in the Phone app, and lots more.
Tips to Prepare For iOS 10 Update on iPhone or iPad
Here are some tips to help you get ready for iOS 10 release:
#1. Check for Device Compatibility
Before we start it is important to know if your iPhone or iPad supports iOS 10. There is a high chance that it will, as iOS 10 supports iPhone 5 or newer, iPad 4 or newer, and iPad mini 2 or newer.
Here’s the complete list of iOS devices that are compatible with iOS 10:
- iPhone 5, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPhone SE, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus
- 9.7-inch iPad Pro, 12.9-inch iPad Pro, iPad Air 2, iPad Air, iPad 4, iPad mini 4, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 2
- iPod Touch 6th generation
#2. 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. While you can always delete apps from your home screen, another way is to go to Settings > General > Storage & iCloud Usage> Manage Storage and then tap on the app you don’t need and hit “Delete App”. You will be able to see how much space is being occupied by the apps, so you can at least delete the ones that are taking up too much storage space.
#3. Free Up Space
iOS 10 update generally require at least 2GB of free space, so if you’re running low on free space on your iPhone or iPad, it might be a good idea to free up some space by deleting unwanted stuff from your device. You should have at least 2.5GB or more free space to be on the safe side.
#4. Install Latest App Updates
App Developers have been working hard to get their apps ready for iOS 10. So don’t forget to install updates for the apps so that you can enjoy all the new iOS 10 features such as Siri integration in some of your favorite apps.
#5. Update to Latest iTunes
If you are planning to install iTunes to install the iOS 10, then make sure you’ve updated to the latest version of iTunes, iTunes 12.4.3 on your Mac or Windows PC.
#6. Backup 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. If you need help then check out our step-by-step guides.
#7. Jailbreakers
If you have jailbroken your iOS device and cannot live without your favorite jailbreak apps and tweaks then it is recommended that you avoid updating to iOS 10, until a tool is released to jailbreak iOS 10. The good news is that iOS 10 has already been jailbroken.
#8. iOS 10 Release Time
Apple should release iOS 10 at around 10 AM PST/1 PM EST. Since iOS 4 in 2010, Apple has released a major iOS software update at that time. If you’re wondering what time it will be released in your timezone then we’ve you covered. Check our post if you want to find out what time it may get released in your timezone.
#9. Installing iOS 10
iOS 10 will be available as an update via 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.
You can also update your iOS device to iOS 10 using iTunes by plugging it to your computer. If you want to jailbreak your device in the future, it is recommended to update via iTunes. We’ll be publishing direct download links as soon as they’re available.
Jailbreakers, note that if your device is jailbroken then 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.
After you’ve followed the steps mentioned above, you should be ready to download and install iOS 10 as soon as it is available and start using the new features in the latest iOS.
If you’re still on the fence then you can check these posts where we play devil’s advocate for and against upgrading:
Let us know if you’ve any questions.
