After a year of development and testing, iOS 13 is finally available to the general public. If your iOS device is mission critical, you may want to postpone the software update.
How to Install iOS 13
The final release candidate for iOS 13 is now available to the general public. iOS users can download the new software by tapping on Settings > General > Software Update. The Software Updates screen appears. Tap on Download and Install to start the software update.
To run the software update process, your iPhone or iPod touch must either be unlocked or plugged into its charger. You can keep your iOS device unlocked by tapping on Settings > Display & Brightness, then set Auto-Lock to Never. You need more than 50% battery charge to run the update without being plugged in.
The software update, being a major version, will take some time to download. Apple’s data centers tend to be overwhelmed in the first few days following a new, major release of iOS. Be patient, as it may take some time to download the software update.
Once downloaded, your iOS device will prompt for installation. If you’re away, installation will eventually start automatically.
While iOS 13 is installing, your device will be unusable. It may take several minutes for the new operating system to install. Make sure to forward calls to another number, if your iPhone is a mission critical device.
iOS 13 System Requirements
Although Apple prides itself in supporting devices far longer than any other tech company, there comes a time when a device gets cut off from updates. As with all major releases, some Apple devices didn’t make the cut.
iOS 13 can be installed on the following Apple devices:
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone 7
- iPhone 7 Plus
- iPhone 6S
- iPhone 6S Plus
- iPhone SE
- iPod touch (7th gen)
Why Can’t I Download iOS 13 on My iPad?
iOS 12 was the last release for the iPad. Apple created a whole new operating system for the iconic tablet — iPadOS. This new, revamped operating system is designed specifically for the iPad. Going forward, you can no longer install iOS on an iPad.
Consider Postponing iOS 13 Installation
iOS 13 is the first, major release of Apple’s new mobile operating system. Although the new OS has been tested extensively, all software ships with known defects. Apple will also find more bugs as the general public begins using the software.
If your iPhone is a mission critical device, it’s probably best to postpone the update until its stability is confirmed. For those who want to play it safe, just wait for the next release of iOS 13.