iPad iOS 9 Update: 5 Things to Know

Last week, Apple confirmed an iOS 9 release for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The update is confirmed for a number of iPad models and today we want to take a look at the most important things iPad owners need to know about their upcoming iOS 9 update.

In the weeks leading up to Apple’s WWDC 2015 keynote, we had heard that the company would make several big announcements during the show. Last week, Apple delivered as company executives took the stage and announced Apple Music, a new version of OS X for Mac and an iOS 9 update for owners of its mobile devices.

At the Moscone Center, Apple detailed iOS 9 and the features that will be landing for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch later on this year. Apple’s new update isn’t the overhaul that iOS 7 was but it does come with some upgrades including a new battery saver mode, changes to Siri, new built-in apps including News, an improved Notes app, and a lot more. It also comes with some iPad-centric features that users are excited about.

Apple will be updating a slew of iPads with the iOS 9 update. Apple’s iPad Air, iPad mini and iPad with Retina will all get the bump to iOS 9 and today we want to take a look at the most important things you need to know about iOS 9 if you’re an iPad user.

iOS 9 Release Date

Apple did not confirm a specific iOS 9 release date at WWDC 2015. Instead, the company gave iOS users an extremely open-ended iOS 9 release window. A very predictable one at that.

During its opening keynote, Apple revealed its plans to release the iOS 9 update sometime this fall. This matches up with the iOS 9 rumors were saw ahead of WWDC and it matches up with the iPhone 6s release date rumors we’ve seen in the first half of the year. Remember, Apple always releases new iOS software alongside new iPhone hardware.

If you’re putting money into a pot with friends, we’d put a bet on the iOS 9 update landing somewhere in the vicinity of September 23rd, or, the start of the fall.

We fully expect Apple to release the iOS 9 update for the iPhone and iPad on the same day.

You Can Try iOS 9 Right Now

If you’re willing to be a guinea pig for Apple, you can try the iPad iOS 9 update out right now.

Apple’s first iOS 9 beta, iOS 9 beta 1, is available for those in the company’s paid developer program. However, those who aren’t interested in developing for iOS or paying Apple money will be able to try out the software next month.

iPad users that aren’t in the paid developer program will be able to access the iOS 9 update through Apple’s new Beta Software Program. This program is open to anyone with a supported iPhone and Apple ID and the company is currently taking sign ups ahead of an undetermined release date in July.

Before take the plunge, remember that this is a beta update and that means that it has the potential to cause problems on your iPad. Frequent app crashes, random reboots, annoying bugs, and battery drain are all common issues with beta updates. Here, we outline a few reasons why you might want to skip the iOS 9 beta.

iOS 9 on iPad

iOS 9 beta users have been posting feedback about the update’s features and performance. The video below outlines some of the unique features coming with Apple’s iOS 9 update for iPad.

We’ve also seen developers post a number of other videos detailing performance on devices ranging from the iPad Air 2 to the iPad mini 3. If you’re at all interested in how the beta is performing right now, we suggest that you check out YouTube for more details.

Developers will continue to post feedback as the iOS 9 beta progresses. Apple’s expected to release numerous beta updates before it releases the update to the public. This is the way to go if you’re curious about iOS 9 but don’t want to install beta software on your slate.

Longevity

The iOS 9 update will be coming to every single iPad running iOS 8. That means that it will be released for the iPad Air 2, iPad Air, iPad mini 3 iPad mini 2, iPad mini 1, iPad 4, iPad 3, and iPad 2. This is big because it means that you might wind up with five years of software support from Apple.

iOS software support used to stop after three years. Last year, Apple surprised a lot of people with an iOS 8 update for the iPad 2, its fourth update.

This year, Apple will not only release an iPhone 4s iOS 9 update (its fourth update) but an iOS 9 update for the iPad 2. Yes, the iPad 2 will be getting its fifth iOS update since its arrival back in 2011.

This is big and it means that iPad 3 users probably won’t lose support next year when iOS 10 arrives. Same goes for iPad 4 users and iOS 11.

iOS 9 Jailbreak

Finally, if you’re looking to jailbreak your iPad with iOS 9 on board, know that a release may not come during the update’s beta process.

An iOS 9 jailbreak is said to be in the works though the developers are targeting a release this fall after the public iOS 9 release date for iPad. That said, there’s a good chance we’ll see a new jailbreak arrive for iPad before then.

An iOS 8.3 jailbreak is confirmed though it’s not clear if it will be released for iOS 8.3 or iOS 8.4. We should know more later this month when the iOS 8.4 update lands for Apple’s iOS powered iPads.

Split View Multitasking

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The new iOS 9 iPad multitasking feature lets users run two apps side by side on the iPad. This makes it possible to work in one app and reference another. Switching back and forth is easy to do and Apple makes it easy to make one of the apps larger than the other. With Split View in iOS 9, the iPad Air 2 delivers greater productivity with or without an external keyboard. Developers need to support these new features, but during the WWDC 2015 keynote Apple stated that many apps are already close to ready thanks to support for multiple screen sizes and states that the company introduced earlier.

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