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iOS 8.1.3 Update: 5 Things You Need to Know

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After weeks of rumor and speculation, Apple’s finally released its highly anticipated iOS 8.1.3 update for iPhone and iPad. The update is a big one and it contains a number of bug fixes for iOS 8 problems. With the iOS 8.1.3 release date now here, here’s what iPhone and iPad users need to know about Apple’s latest iOS 8 upgrade.

At the tail end of last year, a rumor indicated that Apple was working on an iOS 8.1.3 release for iPhone and iPad ahead of its iOS 8.2 update. iOS 8.2 is expected to touch down with the Apple Watch later this year, probably in March. Over the past few weeks, it became clear that Apple was indeed working on an iOS 8.1.3 update for iOS 8 users though the company did not release any details.

iphone 6 plus back with moment lens adapter

The iOS 8.1.3 update was heavily rumored for release sometime this month with bug fixes in tow. Today, Apple finally made good on those iOS 8.1.3 release rumors and the company’s new iOS 8 update is now available to iPhone and iPad users touting devices capable of running the iOS 8 operating system.

Today, Apple released the iOS 8.1.3 update to the public for the first time. The update replaces the iOS 8.1.2 update that rolled out several weeks ago at the end of 2014. The update comes with a number of surprises along with several bug fixes for lingering iOS 8 problems. The new iOS 8.1.3 update represents the company’s sixth iOS 8 update since the operating system’s release back in September of last year.

With the iOS 8.1.3 update finally here, and many iPhone and iPad users eager to download it, we want to take a look at the most important things to know, right now, about the iOS 8.1.3 update for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

The iOS 8.1.3 Update is Massive

This is not a tiny update. The iOS 8.1.3 checks in at well over 200MB in size for some iOS 8 powered iPhones and iPads. (It’s about 136MB for the iPhone 5.) That’s huge for an incremental software release and it means that iPhone and iPad users need to set aside sometime to download the update.

Thus far, we’ve been able to get the software downloaded across several devices including the iPhone 6, iPhone 5, iPad Air, and iPad mini though installation times have varied. It does not appear as though Apple’s servers are slammed though iPhone and iPad users will want to make some time for the download and installation process especially those trying to download on slow Wi-Fi connections.

iPhone and iPad users installing OTA will need access to the device’s passcode in order to get the ball rolling. iOS updates require that authorization before they can begin downloading.

iOS 8.1.3 Features

The iOS 8.1.3 update was expected to be a small bug fix update and that’s pretty accurate. The iOS 8.1.3 update delivers several bug fixes for lingering iOS 8 problems including an issue that prevented some users from entering their Apple ID when trying to use Messages and Facetime, a bug in Spotlight that stopped the software from showing results for apps, a fix for broken multitasking gestures on iPad, and new configuration options for educators.

iOS-8.1.3

The change log isn’t as extensive as iOS 8.1’s change log though there is always a chance that iOS 8.1.3 will fix iOS 8 problems that aren’t listed. There’s also a chance that iOS 8.1.3 will bring some problems of its own.

Apple’s new update appears to be an attempt to stabilize the iOS 8 operating system ahead of its important iOS 8.2 update, an update that will deliver support for the upcoming Apple Watch. iOS 8.2 is also expected to bring bug fixes though its change log remains uncertain at this point.

One Surprise

There is one nice surprise on board the iOS 8.1.3 update. The change log indicates that it comes with a fix that reduces the amount of storage needed to download and install iOS updates. This has been a big problem for iPhone and iPad users, especially those with 16GB of storage, and it looks like iOS 8.1.3 will minimize the impact.

iPhone 6s iPhone 6s Plus 2015 - 4

This will come in handy when Apple’s next big iOS update arrives. iOS 9 is rumored to be in development though it’s not expected to arrive until much later this year, possibly alongside the rumored iPhone 6s.

You Don’t Need to Install Right Now

It’s important for iPhone and iPad users to know that Apple isn’t forcing this update. It’s an optional download and as we’ve pointed out, one that some iPhone and iPad users might want to skip on its first day of availability. iPhone and iPad users dealing with unfixable iOS 8 problems on iOS 8.1.2 or below are the only ones that should rush into the iOS 8.1.3 release.

iOS 8.1.3 Release Date Tips

Finally, we’ve put together a series of iOS 8.1.3 release date tips. These tips include steps to take before installing the massive iOS 8.1.3 update. They also include tips about how to best handle today’s release date. We encourage iPhone and iPad users, especially novice users, to take a look at those before installing Apple’s latest update. We’ve also put together a step-by-step guide to installing the iOS 8.1.3 update.

3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. Aaron Whitney

    01/28/2015 at 9:46 am

    The iOS 8.1.3 is great I just downloaded it it’s great

  2. Nickki

    01/28/2015 at 1:30 pm

    This update seems to have fixed the issues I had with my signals performance. I now seem to be able to get 5 instead of just 2 or 3 bars on my phone. That’s indoors and out.
    Great work Apple staff!

  3. Mtutuzeli

    02/01/2015 at 8:09 pm

    I have been struggling to update my software to ios 8.1.3 , I even bought 2GB for to download and install but nothing is happening , I can’t do my scannings on my PDF file anymore because of my weak software that I have. Please help. Me

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