Updating to iOS 8

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iOS 8 has been out for a week now and the initial bug fix has been released (iOS 8.0.2), so it is probably safe to go ahead and update your device.  This blog will help you update.

There are two methods to update your device:

    - Directly on your iPad or iPhone
    - Plugged into your computer and use iTunes

Updating directly on your iPad or iPhone will require 5GB of free space!  Ack!  If you are like me, I often do not have 5GB free on my device.  You can delete videos, photos and music to increase your free space, or you can just use your computer and use its massive free space.

Remember, iOS 8 is only available for iPhone 4S or newer and iPad 2 or newer.

Like making sure a patient is healthy before undergoing surgery, I recommend you ensure your device is healthy before updating by doing the following:

  1. Go to the Home page, then double tap the Home button.
  2. Swipe up on the miniature picture of each running app to “kill” them all.
  3. Restart your device by holding the top Sleep/Power button for 10 seconds.
  4. Wait for the phone to completely shut down, then power it up again.
  5. Next, go to Settings > iCloud > Storage & Backup.  Make sure iCloud Backup is ON.
  6. Tap on “Manage Storage” on that page, then tap on “This iPhone [or iPad]”.
  7. On the list of apps being backed up, make sure they are all ON.
  8. Go back two pages to the main Storage & Backup page and tap on Backup Now.
  9. Let it back up completely.

You are now ready to update.  Let’s start with the iTunes update method:

  1. Plug your device into your computer with the supplied USB charge cable.
  2. iTunes should open (if it does not, open it manually).
  3. Click once on the icon of your device in the upper left corner of iTunes (just to the right of the three dots).
  4. Once you click on your device, you should see an Update Software button.  Click that.
  5. It will ask for your permission and a license agreement, then start the download and install process.  This may take over an hour if you have slow internet service.  With fast internet service (like Comcast) the whole process should be under an hour.  Speed the process by being in the same room as your wireless router.

If you want to update on your device without using a computer (this assumes you have at least 5GB free.  Check you free space at Settings > General > Usage):

  1. On your device go to Settings > General > Software Update and select the button to update.  
  2. This process may take over an hour if you have slow internet service.  With fast internet service (like Comcast) the whole process should be under an hour.  You should not do this over your cellular connection, only wifi.  Speed the process by being in the same room as your wireless router.

Once updated, the iPad or iPhone will restart a couple of times.  It will finally welcome you and ask for some information about your Apple ID and perhaps your email password.  Enter as much as you know (you can always enter this information later in Settings).  When it asks to update to iCloud Drive, do NOT do it (yet).

Now, check all of the apps that require a login/password (FaceBook, Find Friends, App Store, etc.).

My experience with updating two devices so far is that everything worked well except it would not take my known good gmail password.  After restarting the phone that worked, too.

iOS 8 is very similar to iOS 7, so you will not have any trouble navigating around.  There are a few buttons that changed shape and/or position, but nothing radical.

I will write another blog about iOS 8 features soon. Stay tuned!

If you want to read ahead, this is a great overview: https://www.apple.com/ios/