Today is not only the day of the new Apple iPhone 14, which will be unveiled at today’s Apple event, it is also the day that the latest version of Apple’s phone operating system, iOS 16, officially moves from beta status to the public. . available.
Apple has always been generous with software updates, and iPhone owners since the Apple iPhone 8 and iPhone SE can take advantage of the new iOS and all the new features it brings.
Unlike Google with its puny Android 13, Apple’s iOS 16 update offers a ton of new features you’ll want to try out. There are new ‘focus’ features that limit incoming notifications and apps, and even filter messages, based on whatever specific task you’re trying to focus on.
Elsewhere, you can now edit and even unsend iMessages you send to other iPhone users, while the lock screen gets tons of improvements and new abilities. Even if you’re not buying new hardware, today is a day to look forward to something new.
Eventually, your iPhone will probably prompt you to update to iOS 16, but Apple is also generous with its download servers, and you don’t have to wait or resort to tricks if you want the newest software as soon as it’s available. We’ve been beta testing iOS 16 on our devices, and the update process is exactly the same, so we’re going to show you how to update your iPhone’s operating system.
Once you’ve updated to iOS 16, you’ll also want to update every app on your phone that has a new update available. Developers use the iOS beta to make sure their apps work once new software is released, so many apps will have an update available to accompany the new operating system (OS).
This guide will show you how to update apps on your iPhone. Also, if you’ve recently changed carriers, or your phone doesn’t seem to pick up the best network signal, we’ll show you how to manually update your carrier settings.
How to update your iPhone to the latest version of iOS
It couldn’t be easier to update your iPhone to iOS 16. Here are the steps to follow.
You will need at least 20% battery as you don’t want the battery to die for any reason during the long update process.
You can use Apple’s iCloud backup feature, or you can connect your iPhone to a computer and back up directly to a desktop using Apple’s iTunes software. Yes, iTunes still exists, still backs up your iPhone, and could be a much faster option than backing up to the cloud.
- Open Settings > General > Software Update
Open the Settings app, go to General Settings and tap on that option. Then find the Software Update option and tap on it.
If a software update is available for your device, there will be a link here that you can tap to download and install the update. You will be asked to agree to some terms and conditions of the software, then the download process will begin.
- Wait…maybe for a long time
The download part of the update process can be a bit hit and miss. Sometimes it can take less than an hour, sometimes it can take a few hours. You can let it run in the background while you do other things with your phone, but that can take a long time. If your phone dies or the download stops at this point, no problem; it will just start over.
Let the phone go through the lengthy process of installing the update. You will not be able to use the phone while this is happening. Be patient. If the installation seems to take a long time, it is better to wait than to try any recovery method to reboot the phone.
- Take a look at new things and give it some time.
Once the update is complete, there will likely be more updates and downloads in the background. Go ahead and check out the focus modes or set up your new lock screen. However, don’t jump into the most resource-consuming apps and tasks just yet; it may take a while for iPhone to reach full speed.
How to update apps on your iPhone
Now that you’ve updated your phone’s operating system, it’s time to make sure your apps are up to date. You can always wait and let the apps update themselves, but that might mean a delay the next time you want to open Yelp to find the nearest burger joint, since the app needs to update to the new OS before it’s responsive. .
Instead, you can simply update all apps at once. To do this, obviously, we will start by opening the App Store.
- Open the app store
- Find your account icon at the top right
- Scroll down to the list of upcoming updates and tap Update all
You won’t be able to use apps while they’re updating, and if you’re using an app while it’s trying to update, it might disconnect you or cause some lag.
- Open your most used apps
We found that some apps, like Facebook, will have internal updates that won’t download through the App Store. Opening those apps will launch new updates, so you won’t face any delays later on.
How to Manually Update Your Carrier Settings on iPhone
To get the best performance from your iPhone, you’ll need to be connected to the fastest radio bands offered by your carrier. When you switch to a new mobile operator, you will get a new SIM card to insert into the iPhone. Then you will also need to update the carrier software on the phone to better use the new network.
Sometimes changes to the local network will also mean changes to your iPhone’s performance, and a carrier update can help your phone perform better. This is how you check to make sure your carrier software is up to date.
Your phone will know if it needs a carrier software update; I may not tell you.
- Go to Settings: General and then scroll to the About option
- Tap the Install Update button if you need it
On the About page, you’ll see information about your phone, including your carrier’s software version. If you need a software update, your phone will give you the option to download and install new carrier software. If you don’t need an update, no option will be available.
- Check your operator’s software version
To check your carrier software information, look for the Carrier item in the About settings. Touch the software version number and more information will appear. You can call your carrier directly to verify that you are running the latest software.
