This guide will show you how to install iOS 9 on iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. The iOS 9 upgrade takes as little as 30 minutes to complete, but can take longer during the iOS 9 release date and in the days following.
This will focus on upgrading iOS 8 to iOS 9, but this should work no matter what version of iOS you’re on as long as the device is compatible with the iOS 9 update. Any device running iOS 8 can run the new update.
In addition to explaining how to download and update iOS 9 today, we’ll also help you with a list of things to do before updating. If you are not sure whether you should upgrade or not, you should check these reasons to update to iOS 9 right now and why you should wait before installing iOS 9.
How to download iOS 9 and install iOS 9 update.
The iOS 9 release introduces an incredible set of new iOS 9 features to help you do more on iPhone and iPad. Siri is smarter, search is new and improved, and iPhone now knows what you want to do without you having to do it in new ways.
iPad Air 2 also has a new split-screen multitasking feature, new multitasking features for all iPads, and a host of other upgrades and fixes. Check out what’s new in iOS 9 and watch the video below to see the new features in action.
The iOS 9 update is free to install, and you can upgrade today without the same issues we saw with iOS 8 last year. You need much less space to install iOS 9 than iOS 8, but you will still need 1.38GB of free space on your iPhone or iPad to download and install this update.
Make sure to charge your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to at least 50% as you need that much power to complete the update. You will also need to connect your iPhone or iPad to WiFi as you cannot initiate the iOS 9 download over LTE or cellular connection.
iOS 9 release time is 10:00 pm Pacific, 1:00 pm East based on Apple’s patterns and release cycles. Here’s what you need to do to download iOS 9 and install the update on your iPhone or iPad.
How to Download iOS 9 and Install iOS 9 Update
The iOS 9 download shouldn’t take hours and hours to install, but chances are it will take significantly longer on the iOS 9 release date as many users are trying to start the download all at once. After completing the download you will have to go through a short iOS 9 setup process where your phone will reboot and you will be unable to use it. You can continue to use the iPhone or iPad while the iOS 9 update is downloading.
To download iOS 9, you need to follow these instructions. You can do this on your computer or directly from your iPhone or iPad. Many users will download the OTA (over the air) update coming directly to the iPhone or iPad without plugging it in. If you have problems, you can connect it to iTunes to update, which may be faster on the iOS 9 release date, but should be about the same speed on another day.
Use these steps to install iOS 9 on iPhone and iPad.
No need to wait for the little red notification icon to let you know that you can start your iOS 9 download. You can start upgrading as soon as 1 PM Eastern arrives.
Connect to WiFi on your iPhone or iPad and then follow the instructions below to install iOS 9.
- Tap Settings on iPhone or iPad.
- Tap on General.
- Tap on Software Update.
- Tap on Learn More to see more about this update.
- Or tap on Download and Install to get started.
- Enter your password.
- Double accept the terms and conditions.
- Wait for the iOS 8.4 download to complete.
- Tap Install when prompted.
While in the process of installing iOS 9, the iPhone reboots twice. This is normal, so you shouldn’t be alarmed if the process seems to restart in the middle or if you see a 75% complete bar for a while. Just wait for the iOS 9 upgrade to complete and don’t manually turn off your iPhone or interrupt the upgrade.
Once the iOS 9 update is complete, you’ll need to do a short on-screen setup to connect to WiFI, and you’ll likely see prompts for a new password, Apple Pay, and Touch ID.
How to Install iOS 9 on iTunes
You do not need to use the OTA option to upgrade to iOS 9. You can connect to your computer and use iTunes to download and install iOS 9. Sometimes this is a faster way to upgrade and not on iOS 9 release day. This also helps if you don’t have much free space on your iPhone or iPad as the download goes to the computer instead of your iPhone or iPad.
You need a USB cable for your iPhone or iPad, a good internet connection, and you will need at least 50% battery life on your iPhone and adequate battery life on your computer.
Connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer and then open iTunes. Click the icon that opens your iPhone or iPad in iTunes. If you don’t get a pop-up notification, you have to click a button to check for updates. Here’s how to complete iOS 9 upgrade in iTunes.
- Click the iPhone or iPad icon in the upper left.
- Click Check for Update.
- Click Download and Update.
- Accept the terms and conditions.
- Enter your password when required
Wait for the iOS 9 download to complete and the iPhone or iPad to restart. You will need to complete some steps on your iPhone when this is done to complete installing iOS 9.
