During Apple’s iPhone event, we learned that iOS 12 will be released to the public this coming Monday, September 17. Whether you want to make sure you’re all set for the software update, or want point friends or family to a helpful resource, follow along for how to get ready for iOS 12.
After being available as a developer and public beta since June, iOS 12 will be released to all iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch users in just a few days. While this year’s iOS update puts a focus on performance and reliability, there are still many new features that offer everything from improved productivity with grouped notifications to some focused on messaging and fun like Memoji. Let’s dive in and look at how to best prepare for iOS 12.
Compatibility
Some great news for iOS 12 compatibility, all devices that can run iOS 11 are also compatible with iOS 12. That includes everything from the iPhone 5s and newer, iPad mini 2/iPad Air and newer, and the 6th generation iPod touch.
Get organized
Before backing up your device, it’s a great time to clean up your iPhone or iPad, particularly with content like photos, videos, and messages that can take up a good amount of storage. It’s amazing how quickly data can pile up over a year’s time. For a more organized and smooth iOS 12 experience out of the gate, take some time before updating to delete unneeded content and get things organized how you’d like them.
Make some fresh backups
No matter if you’d like to set up your iPhone or iPad as a new device for iOS 12 or bring over all your existing data from iOS 11, it’s best to create some fresh backups.
If you’re using (or would like to use) iCloud to wirelessly backup your iOS device, you can check your last backup or complete a new one by heading to Settings → Your Name → iCloud → iCloud Backup.
If you’d like to back up to your Mac or PC, plug-in your iPhone or iPad, click the iPhone/iPad symbol in the iTunes window near the top left corner. You may need to allow your device to trust your computer, then click Back Up Now.
Other options to back up your data include Lightning external drives like SanDisk’s iXpand Flash Drive that plug directly into an iPhone/iPad as well as any computer.
- Check out our detailed walkthrough on how to back up your iOS device for more help.
Keep in mind you’ll need your iPhone/iPad passcode as well as Apple ID password to make the jump to iOS 12. If you need to reset your Apple ID password, take care of that before starting the update process.
As for all the new changes, check out the videos below as well as our iOS 12 tutorials:
- iOS 12: How to create Memoji on iPhone X
- iOS 12: How to use the ARKit Measure app on iPhone
- iOS 12: How to customize Grouped Notifications
- iOS 12: How to enable quiet notifications on iPhone and iPad
- iOS 12: How to use Screen Time on iPhone and iPad
- iOS 12: How to set up Screen Time as a parent on a child’s iPhone or iPad
- iOS 12: How to access parental controls and restrictions on iPhone and iPad
- iOS 12: How to use the animated Activity app stickers in Messages
- iOS 12: How to markup, add effects, and edit photos and videos within Messages on iPhone
- iOS 12: How to toggle USB Accessories
- iOS 12: How to use enhanced battery statistics
- iOS 12: How to use Podcasts chapters
- iOS 12: How to access Photos in the Messages app
- iOS 12: How to share photos and videos with expiring links on iPhone and iPad
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