iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 are available in the final version from September 20th. Here's how to prepare for iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, who can download it, and finally how and where to do it.
Why upgrade to iOS 15?
Apple explains that iOS 15 offers many new features "to stay in touch, focus better, explore the world and take advantage the power of on-device intelligence”. Among the many new features of this major iOS release (refer to this article for details), there is SharePlay for FaceTime, a function that allows you to watch together, listen together and share your screen with whoever you want, directly from the app .
As for Messages and Memoji, now the links, images and other content that our contacts send us via Messages appear in the new "Shared with you" section in the corresponding app; You can also reply directly from that app without having to go back to Messages. Shared With You is built into Photos, Safari, Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, and the Apple TV app. There are new Memoji (headgear styles and new accessibility options). When a lot of photos arrive in Messages at once, they now appear in a collage or stack that's easier to browse.
New tools give you better control over how you manage our time and attention. "Full immersion" helps us avoid distractions when we need to concentrate or take a break (for example, you can choose to receive only the notifications you want and customize their reception in various ways). Notifications have been redesigned: now they show the photo of the contacts and larger icons to identify the apps more easily.
Notifications are sorted by priority, with the most relevant at the top. The Maps app has been vastly improved showing details like turn lanes, crosswalks, and bike lanes; when you get to a complicated junction it offers a street level view. A new dedicated map allows you to see at a glance what the traffic is like and if there are any accidents. Integration with public transport shows nearby stops and times of trips, and allows you to highlight the lines we use most often.
Safari has a redesigned panel bar to maximize screen real estate, and to disappear as you scroll and browse; if necessary, we find it by default at the bottom and we can use it to quickly switch from one panel to another by simply scrolling with the thumb. You can save and organize your panels however it's convenient for you. The groups of panels are synchronized on all devices and we can find them everywhere. Safari extensions also arrive on the iPhone and then we can choose when to activate them, like on the Mac.
As for the Wallet, it is now possible to use the iPhone to open the door of your home, garage, hotel room and even your office. A particularly interesting function is "Active text in photos": the on-device intelligence is able to recognize text in images allowing access to useful information: just tap on the text highlighted in a photo to start a call, send an email or get driving directions. Active Text also works in the Camera app: just frame any writing with your iPhone's camera and have various options available to do what we need. “Live Text” includes seven languages: Chinese, French, English, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and German. And since it works system-wide, you can translate any word with a tap. Spotlight shows even more information at a glance and allows you to search for news about music and entertainment stars, TV shows and movies. For the complete list of iOS 15 news, refer to our article.
Why upgrade to iPadOS 15?
Apple explains that iPadOS makes the iPad even more versatile and powerful: working, finding information and organizing your day will be even easier. In iPadOS 15 the functions for multitasking are even more intuitive and easy to use; by selecting a layout for multitasking, it is possible to access the Home screen with all the apps and choose the ones we want to use at the same time.
With Split View you can open apps next to each other; and if we want to change one, just scroll down from top to bottom on the one to replace and choose a new one from the Home screen. You can tap and hold to move a note or message to the center of the screen without changing your current view (the Multitasking menu also appears here).
The new window list allows you to see all the open windows of an app, switch between them, add new ones or close some. Now you can use the App Switcher to create multiple Split View spaces on the same screen by simply dragging one app on top of another. Connecting the iPad to a keyboard brings up a list of shortcuts by holding down the Command key you can see the options available for an app, for multitasking and more.
Apps are now grouped in the App Library, and with the new widgets you can see the information you need at a glance, right on your Home screen. Some widgets have been completely redesigned, such as Find My, Contacts, Game Center, App Store and Mail. And many are now adopting the new larger format. For all the details on iPadOS 15, refer to this article.
Which devices are iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 compatible with?
iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 are compatible with these devices which therefore can be updated from September 20thi:2
iPad
It should be noted that compatibility with these devices does not necessarily mean that all the functions of iOS 15 will actually be active on all phones or iPads. Some seem to engage the processor in a very accentuated way, probably above the potential of some of the platforms indicated as open to iOS 15 and iPadOS 15.
Preparing for the update
Routine maintenance
The upcoming update is a great opportunity to do some cleaning by deleting all the applications you haven't used for a while time or which are considered useless. In this way you will free up some precious storage space to allow the installation of the new iOS 15 or iPadOS 15. It is also a good idea to delete old photos and videos, taking care to first download them to the computer with Photo on Mac or the corresponding ones on Windows or to make a copy on iCloud, Dropbox, Google Photo or wherever you prefer.
Device backup
The official Apple updates do not bring with them particular problems and very rarely does the complete loss of your data occur when a more recent system version is installed on the device. In any case, it is advisable to back up your data.
The operation takes a few seconds and is absolutely non-invasive. It is possible to make a backup through iTunes, simply by connecting iPhone, iPod and iPad to the computer via cable and then clicking on the Back Up button. It is also possible to make a backup via iCloud over a wireless connection. To do this, simply go to the iOS or iPadOS settings, access the iCloud function and click on the Back Up Now button. At this address the detailed instructions on the various methods to backup iPhone.
What time will iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 be available for download?
Even if Apple does not announce the actual download time, iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 should be released in Italy at 19:00: around 00: the time varies from country to country. As has often happened in the past, it is very likely that there will be slowdowns in downloads or it will even be impossible to access the update, typical problems due to the high network traffic generated by millions of users of iOS and iPadOS devices, all eager to install as soon as possible soon the new mobile operating systems of Cupertino. Check availability directly on the Macitynet homepage.
How much do iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 weigh?
Size varies from device to device. Just to have some reference, in the past some distributions have come to weigh even more than 2 GB.
How to download and install iOS 15 and iPadOS 15
The easiest way to download and install iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 is directly from your device by going to Settings on your iPhone or iPad. This is an absolutely valid system for those who have a good Wi-Fi connection. If you choose this update – in the jargon called OTA (over the air) – it will be sufficient to choose Settings > General > Software update. At this point the device will check for available updates and, starting at 19, will show the possibility of updating to iOS 15 and iPadOS 15. If the update does not appear immediately, don't worry and try again after a few minutes. Especially in the early hours, the servers could be very busy and offer the update "deferred" to some users.
After you click the Download button you will need to wait. The process can take some time, not only in the case of a slow connection; as soon as it is released there will be a "jam" of the servers, due to the high number of downloads. Initially there may be some slowdowns in the download. But it is not said. In any case, after downloading iOS 15 or iPadOS 15 the button to install will appear on the screen.
By clicking Install, accepting Apple's Terms and Conditions, the actual installation process will start. From now on, and until the next restart, the device cannot be used in any way.
If the update fails
When you install the update, the progress bar may appear to move slowly. The time it takes for the update to run depends on the number of files on your device and the size of the update. If updating over the air, keep the device connected to a power source. If your device runs out of power, connect it to a power source and turn it on for the update or restore to complete.
If you still can't install the latest version of iOS or iPadOS, try downloading the update again:
- Go to Settings > General > Space [device name].
- Find the update in the list of apps.
- Tap the update, then tap “Delete”.
- Go to Settings > General > Software update and download the latest update.
If you don't see the update in your app list or if the problem occurs again, it will be better to update your device with your computer, using the Finder (with recent versions of macOS) or with iTunes (old versions of macOS or on PC).
How to download and install iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 via iTunes
If you are unable to update wirelessly on your iOS or iPadOS device, you can update it manually via iTunes on an authorized computer. If your computer uses the Personal Hotspot of the iOS device you are updating, connect the computer to a different Wi-Fi or Ethernet network before performing the update. Here's how to proceed:
- Install the latest version of iTunes on your computer (download here)
- Connect your device to your computer
- Open iTunes and select your device.
- Click Summary, then Check for Updates.
Is iPhone or iPad running slow after installing?
Usually after a major update (such as the of iOS 15 and iPadOS 15) you may feel an initial slowness of the system immediately after the post-installation restart. Generally this is a normal and temporary problem: after an initial period in which the system settles down, iPhone and iPad will return to being fluid and fast as always.
If, on the other hand, the slowness should continue for a longer time, it may be necessary to reset the device. And then, even before installing iOS 15 or iPadOS 15 it may be advisable to make a backup of all data, so as not to lose it after a possible restore.
Useful iOS 15 links: