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How to Install the iOS 8.1.3 Update

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Learn how to install the iOS 8.1.3 update on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch without the need to use iTunes or a Computer.

The iOS 8.1.3 update is a free software upgrade for devices running iOS 8 that makes it easier for users to upgrade to iOS 8 from iOS 7 by reducing the amount of storage required, fixes iMessage and FaceTime login issues and other problems.

The iOS 8.1.3 release arrived on January 27, 2015 on the iPhone 4s and newer, iPad 2 and newer and the iPod touch 5th generation. The update appears as a small notification on the Settings icon, showing a “1” inside a red bubble. This iOS 8.1.3 update guide will show you how to install the update which will bring fixes for common iOS 8.1.2 problems and will also remove this bubble.

Read: iPhone 6s Rumors

You need at least 50% battery life to install the iOS 8.1.3 update, or you need to be plugged in to power. You can start the update even if you are not at 50% battery power, but you need a WiFi connection to download the iOS 8.1.3 update, which is a very large update on some devices.

Here is how to update to iOS 8.1.3 and tips to make sure you do it the right way.

iOS 8.1.3 Update Guide

Before you start installing the iOS 8.1.3 update on the iPhone or iPad you should make sure you have a current backup. This will allow you to restore from an iCloud backup or from iTunes if something goes wrong with the upgrade. It is unlikely that you will run into problems, but they do occur and users with backups recover from any iOS 8.1.3 upgrade problems faster than those without.

Read: 41 iOS 8 Tips & Tricks

You should also make sure you install the iOS 8.1.3 update when you are somewhere you can spend about 20 to 30 minutes on the process and where you have access to power, WiFi and backups. It is a good idea to avoid doing this type of update while traveling. If you own an iPhone from work, you should ask IT before installing an iOS 8.1.3 update.

iOS 8.1.3 Reviews

Before you start the iOS 8.1.3 installation you should make sure to read the reviews of this update for your specific device. Read our early iOS 8.1.3 reviews below before you start.

More reviews are coming as we test and use the iOS 8.1.3 update on various Apple devices.

How to Install iOS 8.1.3

After you make sure you have a current backup, at least 50% battery life and can go without using the iPhone or iPad for at least 15 minutes you can follow these directions to start.

Go to the Settings app on the iPhone. This is often on the main home screen.

Inside the Settings app go to General and then tap on Software Update.

Check for the iOS 8.1.3 update in Settings.

Check for the iOS 8.1.3 update in Settings.

On this screen the iPhone or iPad will search for an update. The process could take up to 30 seconds to find the iOS 8.1.3 update.

Once it finds the update you can tap on Learn More to see what the update fixes or Download and Install to start installing iOS 8.1.3.

Tap on Download and Install to start.

Tap on Download and Install to start.

After you tap Download and Install enter your Passcode if you have one.

Agree to the terms and conditions and then to the pop up asking if you agree a second time.

Agree to the terms and conditions twice.

Agree to the terms and conditions twice.

Wait while the iOS 8.1.3 update downloads. This may take a few minutes or over a half an hour depending on the size and the speed of your Internet connection.

When complete you should see a notification to Install iOS 8.1.3. You may see a pop up that says it will install in 10 seconds with a countdown or simply the Install Now option on the Software update page.

After this starts the iPhone will go to a black or white screen with the Apple logo and a progress bar. After a short period it will restart and you will see an Apple logo while it reboots.

When this is done enter your passcode and unlock the device. You can now use the new iOS 8.1.3 update on your iPhone or iPad. That is all you need to do to upgrade to iOS 8.1.3.

It took about 25 minutes to install the iOS 8.1.3 update on an iPhone 6 Plus that was already on iOS 8.1.2 and about 35 minutes to upgrade an iPad Air on iOS 8.1.1 and a iPad 3 on iOS 8.1.1. It will take much longer to upgrade from iOS 7.

You can see what’s new in iOS 8 in the comparison below, which will show you what to look for if you are upgrading from iOS 7.

What’s New in iOS 8

iOS 8 vs iOS 7 Walkthrough - Home Screen

iOS 8 vs iOS 7 Walkthrough - Home Screen

We start our iOS 8 vs iOS 7 walkthrough with the iPhone home screen, which is where you'll start your iOS 8 experience after an update this fall. 

These screens are incredibly important as you see them anytime you turn on the iPhone or need to choose an app to launch. There is no way around using them, so Apple needs to make sure they work just right. 

As you can see in the iOS 8 vs iOS 7 comparison above, there is no change between the home screen in the new iPhone software. Apple changed the status bar and some other small visual changes in iOS 7, but there are no updates for iOS 8.  

We could see Apple change the home screen slightly for iOS 8 for the iPhone 6. The new iPhone will feature a larger 4.7-inch display with a higher resolution. This is something Apple may use to add more icons to the screen. Or they could stick with the current layout, it's tough to tell.  

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