What simply occurred? Apple is releasing main updates immediately for all its platforms, together with iOS 18, macOS Sequoia, iPadOS 18, watchOS 11, visionOS 2, and tvOS 18. Alongside the brand new software program, it has additionally issued safety patches and bug fixes for the outgoing variations. Updating your machine is straightforward sufficient, however realizing whether or not it is best to is a loaded query.
The query of whether or not it is best to improve relies on the quantity of threat you want to take. Whereas iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 ought to be steady sufficient to run with out important issues, they might trigger unexpected compatibility points together with your put in apps. Weighing the most well liked new options towards your present app library is necessary.
There’s steadily some lag between a brand new OS launch and a compatibility replace from third-party builders. In some circumstances, if you happen to use a really outdated app, an OS replace may render it fully inoperable if the developer has ended help. This case has occurred to me on a number of events.
Cupertino has additionally launched iOS 17.7, iPadOS 17.7, watchOS 10.6.1, and macOS Ventura 13.7. These variations are the one updates out there for older units. They don’t introduce new options however include safety patches and bug fixes. So even if you happen to do not set up Apple’s newest and biggest, at the very least obtain these decrease variations to maintain your units safe.
When you solely use frequently maintained apps, you should have no bother with the latest OS variations for all units, even on Macs. Nevertheless, you will need to train warning if the apps you most steadily use have not seen an replace in over a yr.
This recommendation primarily applies to Macs, iPhones, and iPads. The Imaginative and prescient Professional is just too new to fret about app compatibility, and the Apple Watch’s restricted app choice renders the problem principally moot.
All of Apple’s units are simple to replace. I am going to describe the method for iOS/iPadOS, however this information is comparable sufficient to use to any Apple platform.
To start out, open the settings app and navigate to Normal > Software program Replace. You need to see iOS or iPadOS 17.7 listed. Beneath that may be a button to “Set up Now.” Nevertheless, when you’ve got a suitable machine, you will note an choice under to improve to iOS 18 or iPadOS 18. Faucet that, and you will have to click on by means of some licensing agreements earlier than the OS downloads and installs.
As talked about, the method is usually the identical for different units like Macs and the Imaginative and prescient Professional. The one exception is updating watchOS. When you can replace your Apple Watch by means of its settings, you would possibly discover it simpler to take action by means of the Watch app in your iPhone. The method remains to be the identical.
Compatibility is the one remaining concern. Whereas iPhone XS and SE (2020) can run iOS 18, solely the iPhone 15 Professional, iPhone 15 Professional Max, and the entire line of iPhone 16 can reap the benefits of the complete set of iOS 18.
Likewise, you will want an iPad Professional or iPad Air (Third-gen or newer), an iPad (Eighth-gen or newer), or an iPad mini (Fifth-gen or newer) to run iPadOS 18. Nevertheless, solely iPads outfitted with the M1 chip can reap the benefits of all of the features, like Apple Intelligence, which can arrive earlier than the tip of the yr in iOS 18.1. Likewise, do not even take into consideration updating your Mac to Sequoia until it is powered by the M1 chip or later.
If doubtful, learn the nice print in Apple’s iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, watch OS 11, visionOS 2, and tvOS 18 press releases.