Everything You Need To Know About iOS 8: How to Install iOS 8 on iPhone, iPad, iPod?

Apple on September 17, 2014 released iOS 8. The latest iOS is available worldwide for all iOS devices includes iPhone, iPad and iPod devices. Details of iOS 8 supported device is at the end of this post. Apple is marketing iOS 8 as the biggest iOS update released, since the launch of the App Stores. With literally hundreds of new features, that includes new Messages, Photos features, new QuickType keyboard that supports more languages, a new Health app, Family Sharing, iCloud Drive and more, iOS 8 is really the biggest update ever released. Apple has also fixed a lot of bugs and fixed security issues.

Apple has kept the process of iOS 8 update easy for all iOS device owners. In fact, it’s as easy as tapping on a button on your iDevice. However, don’t just grab your device and start to download iOS 8 and update it. Although Apple has kept the iOS update process simple, there are a few things you should keep in mind before going for a major iOS operating system update. Actually, you can think of it as a safety procedure check list to make sure you have everything in place. The list is not too big but it will make your iOS update process experience nice.

As of writing this post, my iPad Air is installing iOS 8, updating of the earlier iOS 7.1.2 release. I will share my own iOS 8 experience later.

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Before iOS 8 update: Safety Check-list

This check-list is designed to help new iOS users but if you are an advance user, you may know this. Still, it doesn’t hurt to go through the check-list.

Backup Your iOS Device

The first and the most important of all steps. Take a FULL BACKUP of your important data.

Take a backup of your iPhone / iPad / iPod data by uploading them to the iCloud or use iTunes on your Mac or PC. This will work as a life saver for your iOS device in-case something breaks down unexpectedly. You can also use any cloud service app like Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive or Box.net. These apps are freeware and available for download from the App Store. You can use them to save your precious memories in the shape of pictures. Don’t forget to take a backup of your messages, calendar, and call log, just to be on the safe side. Done? See what’s next.

Sync Data of Apps (not for all apps)

If you have apps like Evernote, Pocket, etc. installed on your iOS device that syncs data on the cloud. Try to sync them all before you start iOS 8 update. Open the apps and if it automatically syncs its data, let it finish. Now that your precious data is backed up, you can check the next step before starting iOS 8 update.

Keep Battery Completely Charged

Check if the device has a good amount of battery juice. Fully charged device will be the safest bait. You will never want your device dead in the middle of the update. It will cause a lot of headache and heartache if that happens. Checked? Good. Let’s see the next.

Required Free Space for iOS 8 OTA Download, Preparation, Install

Make sure you have enough free space on your iOS device to download and install iOS 8 using OTA. Yes, I know the pain of not having any way to expand storage space, especially if you own the 16 GB or less model. I had to remove all my installed apps, games, music and videos to make space for the required free space criteria of 6.9 GB before you can even download the update. The 6.9 GB free space requirement is for iPad Air. Free space requirement may differ for different iOS device models. After installation is complete, you will get back the free space. Required free space for iOS 8 download and install done? Checked. Using iTunes to update your iOS device will save you from OTA update free space issue.

Now, that you have crossed all the above, let’s move to start the process of iOS 8 download and install.

How to Update My iPhone / iPad / iPod to iOS 8?

Download and Update iOS 8 via OTA

OTA update lets users download iOS 8 on their device and apply it directly without the need of a computer. To start the process, tap on Settings and click on Software Update. You will find Software Update menu on the right sidebar under the General tab. Wait for your device to complete search for new updates. When the device notifies you of iOS 8 update available, tap on Download and Install. Let your device download the update and automatically install it.

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The only downside of using OTA? The large free space requirement. This free space allows the device to download iOS 8 and then install itself. You will get back the free space once the update process is complete.

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When you don’t have the required amount of free space, the system will ask you to delete items to gain free space. To get back free space, tap on Usage Settings. Let iOS scan your device and you will get an overview of which app is taking how much space. Tap on the least used apps and delete them. You may also have to remove pictures, music and videos (don’t forget to backup, see the check-list section above).

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Use iTunes to download and update to iOS 8

Using iTunes to download iOS 8 and install it on your device, connect your device with your Mac or PC. iTunes will notify you about the iOS 8 update. Start the update process and let iTunes complete it for you. You can sit back and enjoy.

Do I Really Need iOS 8?

Well, that depends on who you are. No doubt, iOS 8 brings with it a lot of new features, security enhancements and bug fixes. Still, there is a section of iOS device owners who may not want to ride the iOS 8 train.

Some falls in the category of people who have a device that has reached its end. For example, iPhone 4s owners may don’t want to install iOS 8. iPhone 4s hardware is already old, installing iOS 8 on it may be little taxing for it. So, it’s sometimes better to let the urge of installing the latest iOS 8 update. If your device is working fine with the present iOS, you should keep it that way.

The other section is the advance iOS device owners who likes the freedom of using a jailbreak device. If you are one of them, you should not update. If you do, you will lose jailbreak. You have to wait until iOS 8 jailbreak solution is available (which is very much unlikely).

Complete List of iOS 8 Supported Devices

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iOS 8 is available as a free software update for iPhone 4s, iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPod touch 5th generation, iPad 2, iPad with Retina display, iPad Air, iPad mini and iPad mini with Retina display.

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