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How To Update to iOS 7

Apple officially released iOS 7 today! I’m here to show you how to update to iOS 7, the biggest change to iOS since the original iPhone. (To see what new features that iOS 7 brings, visit our About iOS page.)

Requirements:

  • iPhone 4, 4s, 5, 5c, or 5s
  • iPad 2 or iPad with Retina display (3rd and 4th generation)
  • iPad mini
  • iPod touch (5th generation)

Please note that certain features such as AirDrop, Siri, and Panorama require certain hardware.

Once you have verified that your device fits the requirements, you can proceed with the update. There are two ways to update: over-the-air or via iTunes on your Mac or PC.

Over-the-Air Update:

  1. On your device running iOS 5 or later, launch Settings.
  2. In Settings, go to the General category.
  3. Under General, you will see the option titled Software Update. Tap that.
  4. iOS will communicate with Apple servers. It should say that iOS 7 is ready to download. Just tap the button that says Download and Install.
  5. That’s it! iOS will begin downloading the file from Apple servers. While downloading, you can continue to use your device. However, once the download is complete, you will be prompted to give it time to install on its own. Make sure to keep your device plugged in while installing.

Update via iTunes on Mac or PC:

  1. Plug your iOS device into your computer.
  2. Launch iTunes if it didn’t automatically.
  3. From the menu at the top, select your iOS device.
  4. On that pane, click the button which reads “Check for Update…”
  5. iTunes will communicate with Apple servers. It will then ask whether you really want to update. Say yes and iTunes will begin downloading the file; afterwards, once the download is complete, iTunes will proceed to install the update.

And that’s how to update your iOS device to iOS 7, the mobile OS from a whole new perspective. Simple, huh?