iOS8 for your iPad or iPhone – Upgrade=YES!

Apple has released the latest version of their operating system for iPads and iPhones, iOS8. While anyone buying a new iPad or iPhone will get that automatically, if you already have one, you may want to get the free upgrade. Whether you should do this or not is the first question. Here’s the answer:

It depends. On which model of iPad or iPhone you have. The chart at right (click it to show full size) shows which devices are compatible with iOS8, although my recommendation is slightly different.

• for iPhones: if you have an iPhone 5 or newer, by all means upgrade to iOS8. If you have a 4s, you might consider it, anything older don’t bother and stick with iOS7.1.
• for iPads: if yours is a 4th generation or newer, by all means upgrade to iOS8. If you have a 3rd generation iPad, you might consider it, anything older don’t bother and stick with iOS7.1
• iPod Touch: only the 5th generation is compatible, so if yours is older, you can’t upgrade.

The reason is that the newest version places a higher demand on the hardware of your device, and older devices will suffer performance-wise on the latest version. Not to say they can’t run iOS8 (if they’re in the above picture), but your experience may not be worth it.

Now that you’ve figured out whether or not you can and should upgrade, the second question is how? The answer is deceptively easy, just tap Settings > General > Software Update and follow the on-screen instructions. But I have a few caveats before you jump in and do this:

Caveat #1: Make sure you have enough space on your iPad or iPhone for the update before you try to install it! Tap Settings > General > Usage and see what’s available. Unless you plan on upgrading by plugging into a computer with iTunes, you need nearly 6 GB of available space. Click on the picture to the right to see full size, and look at the top right where it says STORAGE – this particular iPad has 20.5 GB Available so there’s no problem. If your display shows less than 6 GB, then you need to either clear off some space, or upgrade using a computer (help for that here).

Clearing off stuff from your iPad or iPhone can be easy or hard, depending on your situation. If you’re an app-junkie, you can (and should!) delete every app you can to create space. Don’t worry, you can always add those apps back later from the app store. Even if you paid for that app, you don’t have to pay again, apps remain in your Purchased listing for free re-install anytime.

The picture also shows a list of the apps organized by largest to smallest, so for example, the Wash Post app eats up 1 GB of space all by itself. Even if you use that app, just delete it if you need space. Besides apps, you may have space taken up by videos. Movies take up a ton of space! If you bought the movie from the iTunes Store, you can safely delete it and add it back in later. If you loaded your iPad up with home movies, then make sure you have a backup copy on a computer somewhere so you can get them back. If you have a gazillion pictures and movies you took with your iPhone or iPad, you should be using PhotoStream to back them up to iCloud (and possibly a computer somewhere). If you need more help on this, leave me a comment below or ask a question.

Caveat #2: If upgrading without a computer, you need to be connected to both a Wi-fi network and electrical power to perform the upgrade, and you need to have some patience. The iOS8 upgrade file is huge, and the upgrade will take some time. So get that charging cable hooked up, and be at home where you have good Wi-fi. The local Starbucks probably won’t do. Yes, you could probably get around this, but why take the chance something will go wrong? And by patience, I mean it. The upgrade could take an hour or more to complete, and after it’s done you still have some steps to take before you’re back up and running.

Ok, you’ve got available space, are plugged in and ready to do an OTA (over -he-air using Wi-fi) upgrade, great! Just tap Settings > General > Software Update to get started. You’ll see a Download and Install link to tap. Do that and type in your passcode, and it’ll start downloading the update. Once that’s done, you’ll have to accept the terms and conditions agreement, and then sit back, get a cuppa coffee or take a walk – the upgrade will take perhaps an hour. Some folks less, some folks more. If it takes more than a couple of hours, Houston you may have a problem (tell me about it in the comments and perhaps I can help you).

Once it’s all done, you’ll see a “Hello” setup screen. Just swipe to the right, and follow the on-screen instructions to re-connect with your Apple/iCloud account. Here’s where you’ll have a few choices to make:

Choice #1: Upgrade to iCloud Drive – you’re presented with an option to upgrade. You can either accept it or skip it and continue the setup process. Which to do? If you have any files in iCloud (documents etc.) and you want to sync them with the iCloud on your Mac, then skip the upgrade for now. Macs OSX Yosemite will have that capability, but until you can get that, the upgrade on your iOS device will stop you from accessing those documents on the Mac.

Choice #2: Family Sharing – you’re presented with an option to setup family sharing. You can do this or skip it, which should you do? If you have children or a S.O. and want them to have separate Apple accounts but be tied together, family sharing makes good sense. But if you all use the same Apple ID for everything, then imo it’s not worth it. Oh, and if you have a kid nearing time to leave the nest? If/when they drop out of your family sharing network, all the apps, music, movies, etc. that they purchased on their account disappear from yours.

So make your choices and finish the setup process, and you should be right back where you were before, only with a shiny new iOS version to play with!

Lastly, for anyone who needs help, feel free to use the comments or ask a question. If you’re looking for some self-help, here’s a short list of Apple resources:

User Guide for iPad/iOS8: http://manuals.info.apple.com/MANUALS/1000/MA1595/en_US/ipad_user_guide.pdf

• for iOS7.1: http://manuals.info.apple.com/MANUALS/1000/MA1683/en_US/ipad_ios7_user_guide.pdf or
• for iOS6.1: http://manuals.info.apple.com/MANUALS/1000/MA1659/en_US/ipad_ios6_user_guide.pdf

User Guide for iPhone/iOS8: http://manuals.info.apple.com/MANUALS/1000/MA1565/en_US/iphone_user_guide.pdf

• for iOS7.1: http://manuals.info.apple.com/MANUALS/1000/MA1681/en_US/iphone_ios7_user_guide.pdf
• for iOS6.1: http://manuals.info.apple.com/MANUALS/1000/MA1658/en_US/iphone_ios6_user_guide.pdf

What to do if you’ve forgotten your passcode: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1212

Apple’s Family Sharing guide: http://www.apple.com/support/icloud/family-sharing/

iPad tips and tricks: http://tips.apple.com/en-us/ios/ipad