7 Things to Do Before the iOS 8.1.3 Release Date

With an iOS 8.1.3 update for iPhone and iPad rumored for this week, now is the perfect time for iPhone and iPad users to start preparing for the iOS 8.1.3 release. Here, we want to take a look at some of the things iPhone and iPad owners should do before installing Apple’s brand new iOS 8.1.3 update in the near future.

In the fall, Apple released its iOS 8 operating system to the public for the first time, bringing new features and enhancements to a number of devices including the iPhone 6, iPhone 5s and iPad Air. While iOS 8 brought tons of new features to the table, it also brought iOS 8 problems along with it, problems that continue to plague iPhone and iPad users on the company’s new OS.

iOS 8 problems have been an issue for many iPhone and iPad users since the day the iOS 8 update was released. And while Apple has done its best to squash these iOS 8 issues with a series of updates, those updates have failed to kill off every problem. They’ve also delivered some iOS 8 problems of their own to iOS 8 users around the world.

Apple’s current version of iOS 8, iOS 8.1.2, is perhaps the most stable of them all though the update did bring some isolated issues to iPhone and iPad users. iOS 8.1.2 problems continue to be a problem and that’s why Apple’s set to release at least one more iOS 8 update before it ushers in a new era of iOS software sometime later on this year.

The company’s iOS 8.2 update is confirmed and is currently sitting in the beta program. However, it appears that Apple will release an iOS 8 update before iOS 8.2 arrives. That update is rumored to be iOS 8.1.3 and iOS 8.1.3 release date rumors suggest that it, and its bug fixes, will be out sometime this month. A specific date is rumored for this week.

With an iOS 8.1.2 release date on the horizon,, now is the perfect time to make the final preparations for your move to Apple’s new iOS 8.1.3 upgrade. Here, we want to tell you about some steps to take ahead of your iOS 8.1.3 update. These will help to ensure a smooth iOS 8.1.3 installation process and transition from iOS 8.1.2 and below.

iOS 8 & iOS 8.1.2 Review

The first thing you should do before installing on the  iOS 8.1.3 release date is review the iOS 8 update (if you haven’t installed iOS 8 yet) and or the iOS 8.1.2 update, Apple’s current version of iOS 8. This will bring you up to speed not just with the changes found on iOS 8 but with the performance that iOS 8.1.2 offers to specific devices.

By familiarizing yourself with iOS 8 and iOS 8.1.2, you’ll have a better idea about what to expect from iOS 8.1.3 when it arrives, perhaps as soon as Tuesday or Wednesday.

There are a few ways to get caught up on the latest iOS 8 developments. You can have a look at our detailed iOS 8 vs. iOS 7 comparison. You can head on over to Apple’s website to hear about the changes and features from the horse’s mouth. And you can read our latest iOS 8.1.2 reviews. Educate yourself, get acclimated to the changes, and then install iOS 8.1.3 on your device.

There’s no rush to install and you’ll want to make sure that your homework is done before you make a move. Absorb as much information as you can including iOS 8.1.2 problems and fixes and you should go into the iOS 8.1.3 release date with confidence.

Clean Up Your Device

Now is the perfect time to clean up your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. While many of you probably did this before installing iOS 8 or any one of Apple’s smaller iOS 8 updates, others may not have taken the time to get rid of unnecessary files. Think of this as early spring cleaning.

Over the past few weeks, months, or even years, you’ve likely downloaded applications, music or other files that you simply don’t use any more. Right now, ahead of the iOS 8.1.3 release date, is a great time to get rid of the files you aren’t using. It will rid your device of clutter and also free up some valuable storage space that could come in handy after you get the iOS 8.1.3 update on board.

We recommend keeping iOS clean and tidy year round but some general clean up right before an iOS update should work wonders for your device and for your sanity. Use iOS 8.1.3’s release as an excuse to get your phone or tablet cleaned up.

Backup Your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch

iOS 8.1.2 didn’t cause too many installation problems and incremental updates typically go off without a hitch. That said, there’s a chance that iOS 8.1.3 could cause some problems for you when it arrives. If it does, you’ll come out unscathed if you’ve made a proper backup of your important files.

Before installing iOS 8.1.3, you will want to backup all of your files so that if anything goes wrong, the data can be retrieved. This is particularly crucial if you’re moving from iOS 7 to iOS 8 for the first time with the arrival of iOS 8.1.3.

To make a backup, you will want to go into iTunes. The backup process will begin after you plug your device into a computer. If it doesn’t happen automatically, you can force a backup to occur.

To do this, simply go into iTunes, right click on your device, and select Back Up. It’s going to take some time for the process to complete, particularly for those that have a ton of content, but it’s worth doing if you’re moving up to iOS 8 from iOS 7 or if you’re concerned about problems with iOS 8.1.3. This is highly recommended for those of you making the jump from iOS 7 or below.

Have Your Login Info Ready

If you’re moving from iOS 7 or iOS 6, you’re going to need your Apple ID to get the ball rolling. You’ll also need the latest version of iTunes. If you’re coming from iOS 7 or below or even if you’re coming from iOS 8.1.2, you’re going to need your passcode to install the update Over-the-Air.

Make sure you have all of your credentials handy before the iOS 8.1.3 release date. This is especially important for those of you who are tasked with keeping the device of a loved one up-to-date. Make sure you have their information at the ready when this upgrade arrives. You won’t be able to install the update without a passcode if the device is locked.

Make Sure Your Device is Charged

This is one of the smallest steps to take ahead of the iOS 8.1.3 release date but it’s also one that iPhone and iPad users tend to forget. You’ll need to have a minimum of 50% when installing the iOS 8.1.3 update if the device isn’t plugged into a power source like a wall outlet or a computer.

Those of you who won’t have a power source readily available this week will need to make sure that the device is charged and ready before installing iOS 8.1.3. Those of you that do have access to a power outlet only need to plug the device in and the installation process will take care of the rest. There is no way to avoid this so you’ll need to be prepared.

Update Your Applications

iPhone and iPad users often complain about app performance. This is especially the case after an iOS update is released. As we’ve noted in our iOS 8.1.2 reviews, most apps are running smoothly though we are still having problems with a select few. It’s possible that iOS 8.1.3 will cause problems with select applications but we can’t say for sure.

There’s no sure fire away to prevent these problems but we’ve been able to alleviate some potential issues just by updating our apps with the latest bug fix updates. Before upgrading to iOS 8.1.3, you would be wise to update all of your apps to the latest version, especially if the version comes with iOS 8 support. If you are rocking the latest updates, there’s a good chance that your transition from iOS 8.1.2 or below will go a lot smoother.

Talk with IT

Those of you who use your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch for work would be wise to consult the IT department on the day that the iOS 8.1.3 update comes out. If your IT guys are good at their job, they’ll probably be able to tell you how the software will impact your device.

After every iOS update, we always get a ton of feedback from enterprise users running into problems with their enterprise software, with Exchange, and with other features after installing iOS updates. It literally happens after every single update. There may not be anything your IT department can do about the problems but they might be able to warn you ahead of time.

If you don’t have an IT department, we suggest gathering user feedback from co-workers and others before installing the iOS 8.1.3 update on the day that it comes out.