Ready for a new iPhone experience without buying a new iPhone? iOS 10 is here, and it’s changing everything from the way you send messages to how you interact with your favorite apps (hint: Siri is getting a whole lot more useful).
Before you upgrade, find out if your device is compatible with iOS 10. Then you have to figure out if upgrading is worth it, because using a new OS could bring up some unexpected pain points. Read our iOS 10 verdict to help you make a decision.
Are you taking the plunge? Great. Follow these steps.
Back up your device
Never install a new operating system without backing up all the data on your device. While iOS 10 has been in beta for months and presumably Apple has fixed all bugs, it’s better to be safe than lose your entire photo collection. Right? Right. You can back up your device to iTunes or to iCloud, or for extra security, use both methods.
Back up to iCloud from your iPhone by going to Settings > iCloud > Storage & Backup and turning on iCloud Backup.
Back up to your computer by launching iTunes on your Mac, then connect your phone to your computer with your syncing cable. In iTunes, select your device, then click on Summary. Under Backups, choose Back Up Now. Check the Encrypt box first, and the backup will store your passwords as well as your Health data.
If anything goes wrong with iOS 10 installation, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your data is protected.
Time to upgrade
You can install iOS 10 directly on your device or through iTunes on your Mac.
As soon as Apple pushes out iOS 10, tap on Settings > General > Software Update. Tap the install button. The download and installation should only take a few minutes, but make sure you have a decent amount of battery life left (or plug your phone in to charge).
To install iOS 10 via iTunes, connect your device to your Mac with your syncing cable. iTunes should pop up right away and ask you if you want to install the latest version of iOS. If it doesn’t pop up right away, click on your device in the upper-left corner of the iTunes window and choose the Summary tab. Then click on Check for Update. That should kickstart the installation process.