Apple releases iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 for iPhone and iPad – here’s how you can upgrade

Apple has surprised its customers around the world with the earlier than expected release of iOS 14 for iPhone and iPadOS 14 for the iPad. Here’s how you can upgrade your iPhone or iPad to these latest operating systems.

There are a number of changes to the look and feel of the software which, for the first time, will allow users to add widgets to their home screen.

We have outlined all of the new iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 features but first you need to install it.

Here’s how you do it:

– Make sure you have backed up your iPhone and iPad before starting the installation process.

– Go to Settings > General > Software Update.

– You should see iOS 14 or, if you’re on your iPad, it will say iPadOS 14.

– Click download and install and the device will go through the installation process. It will take about 20-30 minutes.

iOS 14 will work with all iPhones going back to the iPhone 6S while the iPadOS 14 will work with iPad fifth generation and later, iPad Air 2 and later, all iPad Pro models and iPad Mini 4 and later.

iOS 14

HOME SCREEN

Apple has redesigned the home screen with the App Library to help users keep track of their apps rather than scrolling for pages and pages.

App Library can intelligently categorise your apps to make it easier to find what you’re looking for.

There is also a recently installed section and you can search in a list view.

Users can now choose how many home screen pages to display and hide others for faster access.

WIDGETS

In iOS 14 you can now drag widgets into your home page which are customised for work, travel, news, weather and entertainment.

These can be pinned in different sizes in your home screen.

APP CLIPS

App Clips is a small part of an app that makes it easy to use that app without going through the whole procedure of downloading the full application.

This makes it easy use the part of the app when you need it – like when buying a coffee, hiring a scooter or paying for parking.

App Clips will be accessible through NFC (near field communication) and QR codes and a new Apple App Clip code.

They can also be shared with Messages or from Safari and can integrate Apple Pay and full privacy and security.

PICTURE IN PICTURE 

If you’re watching a video or on a FaceTime call you can open another app and still have your video floating in the corner.

You can also move the floating image to any part of the screen to suit what you’re doing.

SIRI 

Siri will now no longer take up the whole screen when activated but instead work in the background and present its results in a small window on the screen you’re looking at so it ca stay in context to what you’re doing.

Siri will also allow users to send voice messages and dictate their email, message or social media post.

TRANSLATE

Users can now translate on the fly with the new Translate app that will work completely offline.

Users can access quick voice and text translations between 11 different languages.

MESSAGES

Messages can now be sorted by conversations and pinned to the top of the page.

When in a group message iOS 14 will now offer inline replies and mentions so you can receive notifications only when you’re mentioned in the conversation.

There are also a host of new Memoji options which offer new hairstyles, headwear and face coverings.

MAPS 

Maps have better detail and accuracy and in iOS 14 it will be easier to find where you want to go.

Guides will provide a great way to explore cities with the latest recommendations.

When navigating there are also new ways to get there including new cycling directions which offers details right down to elevations so you know if there are hills or busy roads.

They will be available in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Shanghai and Beijing.

Electric car drivers will no longer have range anxiety with Maps helping you plan your trips so you are always with range of a charger and based on your vehicle’s current charge.

CAR PLAY

 

Car Play is already available on 80 per cent of the world’s new cars and in iOS 14 there are new wallpaper options and categories for your apps.

DIGITAL CAR KEYS

Apple is reimagining your car keys. Soon your iPhone and Apple Watch will be able  to unlock and start your car.

And you’ll also be able to share your keys through Messages and disable them through iCloud if you lose your iPhone.

Apple has been working with industry groups to use ultrawide band technology so this feature will work when your device is in your pocket or in your bag.

The first company to get involved will be BMW with the 540i.

AIRPODS SPATIAL AUDIO

AirPods will have even more functionality including automatic switching to detect when you switch between devices and when a phone call is coming in.

Spatial audio will be introduced to AirPods Pro and play sounds anywhere in space to create an immersive surround sound experience.

By using the gyroscope and accelerometer, the AirPods Pro can also track your head and keep the sounds coming from the right places and keep you in the middle of the action.

It will be compatible with Dolby Atmos.

HOME APP

The Home app is already a huge ecosystem and controls will be added to enable easier control of lights as well as suggestions for automations when new devices are detected and added.

On the lighting side users will be able to adjust the colour temperature of their lights to suit the time of day and into the night.

Included security cameras will have the added feature of setting activity zones to filter notifications and also incorporate facial recognition to let you know who is at your door.

WEATHER

The Weather app and widget will now keep users up to date on severe weather events and a new next-hour precipitation chart shows minute-by-minute precipitation when rain is in the forecast.

iPadOS 14

COMPACT DESIGN

User can stay focused on what they are doing on the iPad thanks to a new compact design for incoming FaceTime and phone calls, Siri interactions and searches which will now appear at the top of the screen inside a small banner.

SIDEBARS

There are now redesigned sidebars within apps including Photos, Files, Notes, Calendar and Apple Music to make them easier to manage and navigate.

WIDGETS

Widgets have also been redesigned to provide information at a glance.

Users can now choose a Smart Stack of widgets with the right widget presented through the on-device intelligence based on the time, your location and what you are doing.

SEARCH

Search has been redesigned so you don’t leave the app you’re working in.

It is now a universal search that makes it easier to find apps, photos and people and web searches all in one place.

APPLE PENCIL

Scribble is a new feature that will convert hand writing to text and allow users to select hand written words and move text around just like typed text.

Anything written in any text field will be converted and recognised as text whether its creating a document or doing a search.

iPad OS will also recognise phone numbers and addresses and make them active when searching maps and making calls.

iPadOS 14 will also share a number of features introduced in iOS 14 including updated Messages, enhanced Maps with new cycling routes and EV support, Home app to make it easier to control your smart products and Safari with enhanced privacy.