iOS 8 Update Released for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch
Apple has released iOS 8 for all compatible iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices. The update offers significant improvements and many new features to prior versions of iOS and is recommended for all users to install on their devices. If you haven’t done so already, it’s a good idea to prepare for iOS 8 before updating the system software.
iOS 8 is supported by the following hardware; iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPhone 5S, iPhone 6, iPad Mini, iPad Mini Retina, iPad 3, iPad 4, iPad Air, and iPod touch 5th generation.
How to Update to iOS 8 with OTA
The simplest way to update to iOS 8 is to use the Over-the-Air update mechanism on the iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch:
- Go to Settings app, then to “General”, and then to “Software Update”
- Choose “Download & Install” when iOS 8 populates
The OTA download weighs in close to 1GB and requires nearly 5GB of free storage space on-device to install.
It’s always a good idea to back up your devices before installing an iOS update, at the very least make a quick backup to iCloud or, better yet, go all out and backup to both iTunes and iCloud before beginning.
How to Update to iOS 8 with iTunes
Users can also install the iOS 8 update through iTunes and a computer, though you’ll need to connect the iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to a Mac or Windows PC with the latest version of iTunes to do that.
- Update iTunes if you haven’t done so already, then relaunch iTunes
- Connect the iOS device to the computer with USB
- Click on “Update” if the update option to install iOS 8 does not appear automatically
This updates to iOS 8 by downloading the update from Apple and using the computer to load it onto the iOS device, and it may or may not be faster to update your device this way, depending on a variety of conditions. One significant advantage to using iTunes is that it allows users to skip the “cannot install update” error due to storage capacity limitations on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
If you’re going to update through iTunes, be sure to backup the device to the same computer with iTunes before beginning the actual update process – or again – back up to both icloud and iTunes if possible.
Related to iTunes, users also have the option to download IPSW firmware files for iOS 8 and install that manually onto their devices. That route is generally considered a more advanced procedure and is best reserved for individuals who have a good reason to go with the IPSW method. You can find direct downloads to iOS 8 firmware here.
Apple TV Update Revamps Interface
Apple also released an update for Apple TV, which changes the interface and icons a bit to be more in line with the bright colors of iOS 7 and iOS 8, as this image from MacRumors shows:
The Apple TV update also adds support for iOS 8 features, making it a good idea to update for those users who have a third gen Apple TV.
Apple TV users can get the update from Settings > General > Software Update
I got a notification from Apple that my iPad2 iOS 8.0.2 was ready to be installed. I ran the installation and now everything is slow and jerky. Also, programs shut down on their own. I wouldn’t have done it had they not recommended it. Has anyone else had this problem?
As of the iOS 8 upgrade, my iPhone and iPad, mostly, won’t find my MacMini and connect automatically to iTunes.
I’ve tried several different methods, rebooting my iDevices every day doing a backup over wifi, quitting and restarting iTunes, etc. Sometimes that works, sometimes not.
Yesterday I went through several backups and still iDevices didn’t show up in iTunes.
Left to do other things, came back and both devices were now listed under DEVICES in iTunes.
??? Anyone know why this happens? Bug or Feature? I did send feedback to Apple.
This minor update is creating problem with available space on devices … 5GB free space … ahhh
I installed IOS 8 on my old 32 GB 4S, because my new 6 arrives Friday and I wanted to play with 8 first. For the most part it’s been trouble-free, but I did have plenty of install space on the 4S. There’s a performance hit, but not as dire as some tech news sources are wringing their hands over. I can’t be sure, but there are some nice advertised features of iMessage that I can’t seem to access, but it wouldn’t be the first time a computer turns out to be smarter than me.
Article doesn’t mention the iPad 2 being compatible, but it works on it.
Very slow, I may say, but we expected that.
No problem 70 GB left on my iPad Air 120GB
The OTA download is going very slow.
Like many others, I don’t have the space to install it on my primary device, so I guess I’ll do secondary devices first then use iTunes or IPSW. Kind of shocked we need 6GB available for a minor software update…
If this is a minor update, what would you consider a
major update?
Yeah good luck. iPad mini retina – 6.9 gigs available – can’t download need more space.
Apple you are an embarrassment lately. Can’t stream your own event on AppleTV or in Safari on iMac – can’t download an iOS update without deleting apps on an iPad AND now – iPhone 5.
I can’t even imagine how anyone without computer knowledge does it any more. Apple – YOU ARE the new Microsoft – pathetic.
Delete you iOS device to upgrade you iOS device.
Why so angry bro? You wouldn’t have an ulterior motive would you?
Hey, fanboi: I hate to burst your, but Apple is not perfect. iOS installation problems, event streaming issues, and most recently (and most importantly) the lack of available inventory of the iPhone 6 – these are legitimate problems that Apple needs to address. Do you really think that Apple is so perfect, so infallible? Wake up!! Apple has problems and Apple is no different from any other company on the market — other than that they are Apple and the perception of perfection is their persona.
I’m willing to live with minor problems with installing iOS; I’m willing to live with the streaming problems experienced on the event day last week. I don’t like the idea of having to wait 4-6 weeks for an iPhone 6/6+, but I can live with it because I firmly believe that Apple still has best hardware/software experience out there – far better than anything offered from the android mongrels or Microsoft.
Could the experience of upgrading iOS be better? Absolutely. Could Apple get their shit together and produce a quality webcast of their next event? Absolutely. Could Apple ensure a large enough on-hand inventory when new products are announced? Yes. But actually, this would work against them – Apple depends on perceived shortage to boost demand for their products and to generate ancillary product “hype” – which may not be ideal for the consumer but (usually) does wonders for Apple’s stock price and sales figures.
Bottom line: There is always room for improvement, and there’s nothing wrong admitting that Apple has problems.
An ulterior motive? Just because he’s posted things like
“[h]ow can Google get this stuff right literally for me – 100% of the time? And Apple at BEST is 45% of the time.”?
He only posts to complain about Apple — and to praise Google.
Anyone with even a tiny amount of common sense would understand why you can’t download and install an OS without adequate free space for the download, decompressing it, database updates to new formats, etc.
Update using iTunes. Problem solved.
You’re assuming that he wanted to solve the problem. Given his history of posting how wonderful Google/Android is, I think not.