How to Download and Install iOS 13

The iOS 13 update is out on iPhone today. This is the latest update for Apple’s phones and tablets, adding a ton of new features, fixes, and even a few new tricks.

This software will ship with the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro, but will also come to older iPhones. This guide will show you how to download iOS 13 and install it on your iPhone. The iPad version of iOS 13 this year is iPadOS 13, but the update process is the same. You will have to wait a few weeks to get iPadOS.

Make Sure Your iPhone Is iOS 13 Compatible

The iOS 13 update won’t work on every iPhone running iOS 12, so you need to make sure your iPhone is compatible with the update. iOS 13 update works on the following devices;

The iPadOS 13 update works on the following devices and arrives on September 30;

• 12.9 inch iPad Pro
• 11 inch iPad Pro
• 10.5 inch iPad Pro
• 9.7 inch iPad Pro
• iPad (6th generation)
• iPad (5th generation)
• iPad mini (5th generation)
• iPad mini 4
• iPad Air (3rd generation)
• iPad Air 2

Specifically, Apple dropped support for the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad mini 2, and iPad Air.

Back Up Your iPhone or iPad

Before installing the iOS 13 update, you need to back up your iPhone. Do not try to install this update without making sure your device is backed up.

There’s a good chance you won’t need it, but there is a chance that an update might freeze or a bug might force you to do a clean install of iOS 13 on your iPhone or iPad and then restore from a backup.

To backup to iCloud, you just need to be connected to WiFi and turn on the power; A backup will start. If you are unsure, you can follow the steps below to see if your device has been backed up.

1. Open settings.
2. Tap your name at the top of the screen.
3. Tap iCloud.
4. Tap iCloud backup.
5. Tap on Back Up Now to start the backup.

If you look at the last successful backup time and date, you will see when your iPhone or iPad was fully backed up.

For anyone who uses their computer to make a backup, you can use iTunes on Windows and macOS Mojave or Finder on macOS Catalina.

1. Update iTunes.
2. Plug in your iPhone.
3. Trust the computer if prompted.
4. Click on your iPhone or iPad in iTunes (or Finder)
5. Select Encrypt backup if you want your health and activity data to be backed up.
6. Click Back Up Now.

Once that’s done, you’re almost ready to install iOS 13. Here is the complete list of things to do before installing iOS 13.

How to Download and Install iOS 13 on Your iPhone or iPad

When you’re ready, you can install iOS 13 directly from your iPhone or from iPadOS 13 directly to your iPad. This is the easiest way to install the update and is the way most users will want to go. The first day or two this will take a little longer due to download demand.

1. Tap on General.
2. Tap on Software Update.
3. Tap on Learn More to see more about this update.
   
   

   How to download and install iOS 13?
4. Or, tap on Download and Install to get started.
   
5. Enter your password.
6. Double accept the terms and conditions.
7. Wait for the iOS 12.4.1 download to complete.
8. Tap Install when prompted.

How to Download and Install iOS 13 from iTunes

If you’re using macOS Mojave or Windows, you can install iOS 13 from iTunes. This requires the latest version of iTunes and your phone to plug in and install the update.

1. Click the iPhone or iPad icon in the upper left.
2. Click Check for Update.
3. Click Download and Update.
   
4. Accept the terms and conditions.
5. Enter your passcode on iPhone when needed.

This isn’t faster on its own, but can be more reliable if you do it within the first day or two.

How to Download and Install iOS 13 from Finder

This is how you install the iOS 13 update to macOS Catalina from your Mac.

After updating to macOS Catalina, you can install the iOS 13 update on your Mac with the Finder.

1. Plug in your iPhone and open Finder
2. Click the iPhone or iPad icon on the left.
3. Click Check for Update.
4. Click Download and Update.
   
5. Accept the terms and conditions.
6. Enter your passcode on iPhone when needed.

That’s all you need to do to install iOS 13 on your iPhone or iPadOS on your iPad. You can use any of these methods and you don’t have to worry about this process as long as you have a good backup.