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iOS 8.1.3 for iPhone & iPad: 5 Things You Need to Know

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Apple’s iOS 8.2 release is thought to be just a few weeks away but it appears as though Apple plans to squeeze one more iOS 8 update out before it arrives. That update is iOS 8.1.3, an unconfirmed update to iOS 8 and one that’s heavily rumored to be arriving in the near future. With an iOS 8.1.3 update allegedly on the horizon, we take a look at what iPhone and iPad users need to know right now ahead of its release.

Several weeks ago, Apple released two new iOS 8 updates. One, an iOS 8.2 update that went straight into the company’s beta program for developers ahead of an unknown release date to the public. The other, iOS 8.1.2, a small bug fix update that followed its iOS 8.1.1 update in an effort to tackle lingering iOS 8 problems on iPhone and iPad.

The iOS 8.2 release is still off in the distance, it’s not expected to arrive until Apple debuts the Apple Watch later this year, but it looks like Apple will get at least one more iOS 8 update out before it debuts for iOS 8 users around the world. That update is iOS 8.1.3, an update that was rumored for arrival last year, and one that’s continued to pick up steam as we push further and further into the new year.

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We started seeing iOS 8.1.3 activity pick up in our logs at the tail end of last year, a sign that Apple was testing the software outside in the real world. And while reports hinted at a release in the early part of this year, iOS 8.1.3 rumors did not begin to pick up until just a few short days ago when a couple of reports outed a number of important details.

Now, we think we have a pretty good read on Apple’s plans and today we want to take a look at the five most important things we think you need to know right now about Apple’s rumored iOS 8.1.3 update for iPhone and iPad.

iOS 8.1.3 Release Date Rumored

We’ve been seeing iOS 8.1.3 pick up in our back end for a number of weeks now, a sign that internal testing is picking up the pace. However it’s two reports, one from BGR and one from MacRumors, that have iPhone and iPad users focused on an iOS 8.1.3 update.

The former suggests that the iOS 8.1.3 update will be released sometime this week though it’s not clear if it will be a beta or if it will be a public release. Apple doesn’t typically put minor iOS updates into the beta process though it did uncharacteristically pop iOS 8.1.1 into the beta program for testing ahead of its release last year. The publication believes that the update could arrive as soon as tomorrow.

iPhone 6

The latter says that the iOS 8.1.3 release is close and that the update itself was released to Apple employees on January 7th. This is a sign of an imminent release though it doesn’t confirm a specific date for a roll out. Specific dates are dependent on the testing process and there’s always a chance that the update could see extra testing behind the scenes.

These are both credible sources. It’s also worth noting that we almost always see a pick up in analytics when we’re close to a public release. That’s exactly what we’ve seen occur in the past week or two and that’s why there’s a good chance that the iOS 8.1.3 update is real.

Probably a Small Bug Fix Update

The contents of the update remain unknown because the update itself is unconfirmed. Typically, we only know about features in the change log if the update is released into the beta program or if Apple confirms a specific fix ahead of time in an effort to get iOS users to put their pitchforks away. MacRumors believes that it will be a minor bug fix update and that’s what we’re expecting too.

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This is an update that’s sandwiched in between iOS 8.1.2, a small bug fixer and iOS 8.2, a much larger update. We’re not expecting a laundry list of features. Instead, this will probably be a small bug fix upgrade that’s focused on one, or a few, different (and specific) problems with the iOS 8 operating system. Do not expect the world from this update.

Start Preparing Now

You should know that there are a number of great reasons to start preparing right now. iOS 8.1.3 will probably be a small update but there’s always a chance that it could have a major impact on the performance and stability of your iPhone or iPad. If you are proactive and you prepare like the release is imminent, you limit your chances for a disaster.

We’ve put together a series of tips that you should follow in the build up to a release that’s not confirmed but appears inevitable at this point. There are too many signs pointing to an imminent release.

iOS 8.1.3 Jailbreak Info MIA

If you’re jailbroken or you’re thinking about jailbreaking, note that the jailbreak community is quiet about the iOS 8.1.3 update. We haven’t seen developers confirm anything either way and our best guess is that they are waiting to see what the iOS 8.1.3 brings before revealing anything to the public.

There is a good chance that iOS 8.1.3 will patch up the exploits used by the iOS 8.1.1 and iOS 8.1.2 jailbreaks. Thus far, Apple’s failed to patch those up and it typically does not let exploits linger for very long.

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So you’ll need to keep an eye out for pertinent details in the days ahead, especially on the day that Apple releases the update, if it releases the update. You should know almost immediately if iOS 8.1.3 is safe to install. Right now though, the situation is unsettled.

iOS 8.2 Release Probably Next

With an Apple Watch launch rumored to be just a few weeks away, we could see the iOS 8.2 update roll out fairly soon. With that in mind, we would not expect Apple to push out any more iOS 8.1 updates after iOS 8.1.3 arrives. Well, unless iOS 8.1.3 breaks something significant on board.

This is actually very important because it means that there will be no pressure to install the iOS 8.1.3 update on its first day of availability. Many of you can simply wait for iOS 8.2 to arrive before jumping up to another version of iOS. That’s peace of mind that we typically don’t see this time of year.

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We’ve put together some reasons why you might want to install iOS 8.1.3 on day one and reasons why you might want to avoid it and we suggest taking a look at those in the build up to the iOS 8.1.3 release.

The iOS 8.2 update is expected to deliver support for the Apple Watch though it should also come with fixes and security enhancements for owners of the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

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