How to download iOS 15 to your iPhone

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Apple has a new software update out, and it packs a lot of features. iOS 15 may not be introduce sweeping changes to your iPhone as past iOS updates take, but there are plenty new capabilities and enhancements to brand this a worthwhile upgrade.

Maps, Wallet and Safari all see major changes — the latter app features a significant redesign that yous can disengage if you find it too jarring. FaceTime gets some welcome improvements to its audio and video features now, and downwards the line, an update volition enable SharePlay which lets you enjoys videos and music within Apple'southward video conversation app. A new Focus mode figures to help you fight distracting notifications while Live Text and Visual Wait Up features utilize on-lath intelligence to match some of the things Google Lens can do with photos. Plus, the Weather app has got a suite of must-attempt new features.

Here's how to utilise Live Text in iOS 15
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Plus: The 8 best new features in iOS xv

All told, it'southward a pretty exciting update. But you can't experience iOS 15 until you've upgraded to the new software. Hither's how to download iOS 15, with all the steps you should take care of earlier you upgrade.

Download iOS fifteen: What devices are eligible for the update?

If your current iPhone runs iOS 14, and then information technology'south supported past iOS 15. Older devices may meet a strain on battery life one time they upgrade to the new software if our iOS 15 beta testing feel is anything to go by. All the same, here are all the devices that tin run iOS 15.

iPod touch (seventh generation)
iPhone 6s and 6s Plus
iPhone SE (2016)
iPhone vii and 7 Plus
iPhone eight and 8 Plus
iPhone X
iPhone XR
iPhone XS and XS Max
iPhone 11
iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max
iPhone SE (2020)
iPhone 12
iPhone 12 mini
iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max
iPhone thirteen
iPhone 13 mini
iPhone thirteen Pro and Pro Max

Some iOS 15 features only work on newer phones. We've got the full list of features that crave at least an A12 Bionic chip or after, but basically if you're using an iPhone XR or afterwards device, you'll get to feel all of iOS 15.

Note that iOS 15 is only compatible with iPhones. If yous have an iPad on hand, y'all'll want our instructions on how to download iPadOS fifteen.

Download iOS 15: Dorsum up your phone first

Any time you install a major software update on your iPhone, you should beginning dorsum up your device. iOS xv is no exception. Having a backup on hand makes information technology easier to restore your iPhone should anything go wrong with the update.

We've got a complete guide on how to back up your iPhone, including instructions on backing up to iCloud too as to your figurer, whether information technology's running the latest version of macOS or not. (The guide besides includes steps for Windows users on bankroll up their iPhone.)

Whenever I install an iOS beta or a full upgrade to a new version — say, migrating from iOS fourteen to iOS 15 — I dorsum up my iPhone to my figurer so that it's readily at hand in case I accept to roll things back. Information technology helps to archive your backup as well.

In older versions of macOS — the ones that all the same have iTunes — you do this past going into iTunes, selecting Preferences, and clicking on the Device tab. Select the device fill-in you desire and control-click — select Archive from the drib-down menu that appears. If you're on macOS Catalina or later, select your iPhone from Locations in the Finder sidebar; then create a backup, followed by a click of Manage Backups to Archive that backup.

How to download iOS 15

With a backup in place, yous're ready to download iOS 15. It'due south a pretty simple procedure.

one. Become to the Settings app, and select Full general.

2. From General, tap Software Update. If the iOS xv beta is gear up, information technology volition there waiting for yous.

3. Tap Download and Install. You will take to input your Pivot or passcode and have Apple's terms of service.

Because updates similar iOS xv are adequately large, expect the download to take a bit of time. Y'all'll too want to make certain that your iPhone is plugged in and charging if possible, so that your battery doesn't run down during the upgrade process.

4. When the phone is prepare to install iOS 14 and restart, information technology'll notify y'all with an on-screen prompt. Accept that prompt, and your iPhone will shut down.

As the software installs, you lot'll encounter an Apple logo and a progress bar. Once everything's up to date, you'll exist prompted to unlock your telephone with your passcode and savor your new iOS 15-powered device.

Should y'all download iOS xv?

iOS 15 may exist in a final class that Apple is confident plenty to release to the general public, but that doesn't mean information technology'due south bug-free. Sometimes software comes out with bugs that escaped anyone'southward attention, and information technology takes at least on software update to become everything running smoothly.

We've been running iOS 15 on multiple phones since the beta program began in late June, and nosotros've non experienced any show-stopping bugs. The about persistent trouble has been apps crashing upon launch, forcing a restart; recent betas seem to have corrected that issue. That said, nothing precludes you from encountering a bug when you upgrade to iOS 15.

If you're feeling cautious, at that place's nothing incorrect with waiting to upgrade to iOS 15, at least until other people give the software a try and pronounce it solid. Certainly, Apple wil probable come out with an update to the software shortly that will look to tackle lingering bugs, and after that, yous may enjoy a smoother upgrade.

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Philip Michaels is a senior editor at Tom's Guide. He has potent opinions nigh Apple tree, the Oakland Athletics and old movies. Follow him at @PhilipMichaels.