How to Update Your IPhone and All Your Apps
Unlike Android devices, which are slowly rolling out major updates across devices, carriers and manufacturers, all Apple devices receive new updates at exactly the same time. The process of updating iPhone or iPad is simple, but there are many details that you need to know about updates to the OS and applications, including on how how to install beta updates , if you want to live in the wild.
In general, it’s always a good idea to back up your device before installing a major update for iPadOS or iOS in case any mishaps happen along the way. You will also want to make sure you are connected to Wi-Fi as some of the updates can be quite large. You can also connect your iPhone or iPad to keep it powered on while the update is in progress.
We’ll cover iPhone updates in this guide, but the steps are similar (if not identical) for your iPad and iPadOS.
How to update your iPhone wirelessly
You should be notified when an update is available for your iPhone. Click Install Now to start the process. You can also always check for updates manually:
- Open the Settings app.
- Click General.
- Click “Software Update”.
- Click “Download and Install”
- To update now, click Install. You can also click Install Tonight or Remind Me Later if you’re not ready for a major update yet.
How to set up automatic iOS updates
If you have iOS 12 or newer, you can automatically update your device.
- Go to settings “
- Click General.
- Click Software Update.
- Click Automatic Updates and make sure it is turned on.
How to update apps on iOS
Keeping your apps up to date will ensure that you get the maximum number of features (and the latest security updates) for everything on your iPhone or iPad. You can update your apps manually or set them to update automatically yourself.
Manually
- Open the App Store
- Tap your profile icon in the upper right corner of the screen.
- Scroll down to see pending updates. Click Update next to the app to simply update it, or Update All to update everything on your device.
Automatically
- Open the Settings app.
- Touch your name
- Tap iTunes & App Store.
- Turn on App Updates under Automatic Downloads. Resist the urge to turn on automatic downloading of your cellular data in the next section of this screen if you don’t like burning through your data limit.
Getting Beta Access to Operating System Updates / Application Updates
If you like to be the first to try something new, you can register to participate in beta testing for both iOS and individual iOS apps. The beta version of the operating system or application will be close to what will be released to the general public in the future, but there may be several bugs that need to be fixed. As a beta tester, you are one of the people to help find any problems with an app or operating system before it goes mainstream, so expect to run into a few speed bumps along the way.
iOS
If you would like to beta test the next version of iOS, start by registering for the Apple Beta Program on the Apple website .
Once you sign up for the public beta, you will receive a notification on your phone when a new public beta is available for installation – probably immediately if you manually check for updates after you have installed the beta profile on your device. …
Programs
Apple developers launch beta versions of their apps through the Apple TestFlight app . If you want to beta test the app, you first need to download TestFlight to your phone. From there, you will need to accept the invitation the developer sent you to join the beta, probably via email.
If you are beta testing an app, you will receive a push notification when an update is available. Click on this to view the on-screen prompts for the update. Alternatively, you can manually check for updates by opening the TestFlight app. When you do, you will see an Update button next to all applications for which an update is available. Click on this and the app will be updated on your phone.