How to prepare your iPhone & iPad for iOS 8: How to upgrade to iOS 8 & advice about whether you should

We bring you advice about how to prepare for the release of iOS 8 next month, including installation tips and advice about whether you should upgrade or not

iOS 8, the next version of Apple's operating system software for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, is expected to be released to the public alongside the iPhone 6 in early September. Here, we bring you advice about how to prepare for the release of iOS 8, including tips about the upgrading process and advice about whether iOS 8 is right for you. See also: 8 new features in iOS 8 that we can't wait for

Many users have been caught out, one way or another, by iOS upgrades in the past. Some have upgraded recklessly and found that they don't like the new iOS, but can't go back because they didn't save the right files beforehand. Others have upgraded on launch day and hit massive server overload, making the process last for hours and occasionally losing apps in the process.

However, we hope that you'll be able to fully prepare for iOS 8 by reading this article and taking the necessary actions to help make upgrading a smooth and pleasant process. See also: Everything you need to know about the iOS 8 beta versions

How to prepare for iOS 8: Which devices are compatible with iOS 8?

First things first: will you be able to download and run iOS 8 at all?

Apple has revealed which devices will be able to run the new software, and we've explained everything you need to know about whether your device is supported in ourWill my iPad or iPhone be able to run iOS 8 article.

How to prepare for iOS 8: 3 things to do before you upgrade

1. Check your connection

Once you've double-checked that your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad is capable of running iOS 8, you'll need to decide how to install the OS. If you plan to install wirelessly, confirm that you have an available WiFi connection.

If you intend to install via iTunes, you need your computer and the latest version of iTunes.

2. Back up your device

To make a backup using your computer, you can go through iTunes. Just plug your device into your computer (or use the WiFi Sync option) and open iTunes.

Once the program is open, click the Devices button, select your device and scroll down in the summary section to Backups. There, under 'Manually Back Up and Restore,' click Back Up Now.

To make a wireless backup directly from your device, you need an iCloud account. Once you're logged in to iCloud, make sure your device is connected to a WiFi network – you can't create a backup over a cellular network. See: iCloud backup tricks for the iPhone and iPad

After you've done so, go to Settings > iCloud > Storage & Backup, turn on the iCloud Backup toggle and tap Back Up Now.

Also read: How to manage iCloud Storage and Backup Settings for iOS

3. Make sure you're up to date

We'd also advise you to check that you're up to date with the current iOS 7 updates before iOS 8 arrives. This should help speed up the upgrade process when iOS 8 becomes available. Make sure you've backed up your device as described above, then go to Settings > General > Software Update. Your device will check for updates, and if there are any available you'll be able to click 'Install Now'.

See also: 10 amazing new Messages features in iOS 8

How to upgrade to iOS 8

When iOS 6 launched, Apple somehow underestimated user demand, and its servers struggled to cope. People found that upgrading took them hours and hours. Worse still, some discovered after the upgrade was complete that they had lost some apps.

These days losing apps is less of a worry because most of us download them through iCloud rather than syncing with a Mac. If an app disappears during the upgrade, track it down on the App Store on your iDevice and you should be able to redownload it at no cost. If this doesn't work, get in touch with Apple.

But for the lesser issue of slow upgrades, we’d suggest waiting at least a day before upgrading. This fits in with our general message of caution - you want to read about users’ experience with the new software and try it out on a friend's device or in an Apple store, so it makes to wait. See also: iOS 8 FAQs

How to prepare for the iOS 8 launch: What if I hit problems? 

If even all this preparation isn’t enough to protect you from an unexpected problem - you can't check everything, and it's possible that you didn’t notice some small but crucial element of iOS 7 that's been altered - then don't despair.

Check online for discussion of the problem you’re having, since it's unlikely that you’ll be the only one experiencing it; other users may find a workaround, and there’s a good chance that Apple will deal with the issue in a subsequent update.

Finally, what we said to many iOS 7 haters who discovered that they couldn't downgrade was this: give it a chance. If there are major aesthetic changes, it's likely to feel weird at first. But when we go back to iOS 6 these days it looks horrible. Operating systems can grow on you. See also: New features coming in iOS 8's Camera app

How to prepare for the iOS 8 launch: Downgrading, and saving your blobs

Will you be able to downgrade from iOS 8 to iOS 7 (or, for that matter, iOS 6 or earlier)? Yes, probably - but it won't be easy, if history can teach us anything.

You could downgrade from iOS 7 to iOS 6 in the first weeks after it was unveiled but then the window clanged shut. Right now, the only way to downgrade is if you use one particular model of iPhone, and happened to save your blobs at the right time. Don't know what 'blobs' are? Lots of people don't.

If you're planning on upgrading to iOS 8, it might be worth finding out what they are, and getting into the habit of saving them - although, as I said, it's possible that you still won’t be able to downgrade because you're using the wrong hardware, or because Apple finds a way to close this loophole. Here's how to save your SHSH blobs.

Now, there's been so much annoyance at Apple's strict downgrading policies that it's possible that things will get easier for iOS 8. But don't bet on it. We would suggest reading our article on downgrading from iOS 7 to iOS 6 carefully, to see what files you would need to have saved to pull off that process - maybe you can prepare for the next upgrade in such a way that downgrading is possible. But this isn't guaranteed to work; indeed, reading the article will also give you an idea of how hard it can be to reverse the upgrade, so you know what you're committing to.

Once we know more about iOS's details, we'll update our article How to downgrade from iOS 8 to iOS 7.

How to prepare for the iOS 8 launch: Read the reviews, and try it out if possible

Ultimately the best plan for the iOS 8 launch is to frequently check tech sites you trust for reviews (our iOS 8 review based on the beta is already available to take a look at), with details of new features and design changes from iOS 7, and then if possible (and if one of your friends takes the plunge) try the new software on a friend's device. See also: New features coming to the Mail app in iOS 8

Bear in mind that hardware on the lower fringes of the compatibility list may only just be able to run iOS 8; iOS 7 caused performance problems with the iPhone 4, for instance, and you not get all the new features. Check for user reports from people using the same generation of iPhone or iPad as you.

In other words, make your mind up as far as possible, then upgrade. You don't want to be looking for ways to downgrade afterwards. It may be a free upgrade, but you should treat iOS 8 as a massively expensive purchase - because if you hate it, or your device struggles to run it, you've spoiled your experience with a piece of consumer hardware worth hundreds of pounds.

How to delete any app from your iPhone or iPad: Remove Apple stock apps, hide icons and more iOS tips

We discuss the difficulties involved in deleting Newsstand, Stocks, Game Center and other pre-installed Apple apps on the iPhone and iPad, together with ways to get round Apple's restrictions.

How to delete an iOS app or game from your iPad or iPhone

Okay, let's start with the basic deletion process. (This is for the beginners. If you know how this works, skip ahead to the next step.)

Start your iPhone or iPad and go to the Home screen (press the Home button below the screen, or touch all five fingers to the screen and draw them inwards like a claw.) Find the icon for the app you want to delete, and press and hold it for a few seconds. It (and all the other icons on the screen) will start to wobble gently, and a small cross will appear in a grey circle by each. Tap the cross, then confirm you want to delete the app.

The app icons start wobbling...

Tap the cross and it'll ask you to confirm the deletion

And this is what it looks like in iOS 6:

How to delete an iOS app from iTunes on your Mac

If you sync your iPhone or iPad with a Mac on a regular basis, you'll need to remove the app from the Mac too. Open iTunes, make sure you're in the library section (if you're in the iTunes Store, click on Library at the top right of the screen), then select Apps from the dropdown menu at the top left. Find the icon of the app you want rid of, right-click it and select Delete.

How to recover a deleted iPhone or iPad app in iTunes

If you ever change your mind and want to get the deleted app back, don't worry - Apple's App Store will remember that you've bought it already. Find the app on the App Store and it will offer the option to download it once again, instead of the usual price tag or 'FREE'. Click download and you won't be charged again.

Can I delete an app from my App Store account permanently?

But what if you want to remove the app from your App Store account permanently?

This might seem like an odd thing to ask, but when you're updating apps, you don't want your list of purchased apps to be clogged up with free apps you tried once then deleted. If you wanted to reinstall an app you deleted a while ago, you may find yourself skimming through a huge list of tried and discarded apps, particularly if your app attention span is as short as ours.

Apple fans have been crying out for this feature for a while, but sadly at present it isn't possible.

If you don't want your updates clogged up with deleted apps, however, you can just look at the ones on your iOS device. If you're looking at a view of updates with 'Purchased' at the top, hit the 'Updates' button at the top left.

If you're worried about other people who use your iPhone or iPad (or share your iTunes account) seeing embarrassing or adult apps on your purchase history, the best policy is probably to log out from your iTunes/App Store account when you hand over the device. Then if they need to download an app you can type in the password for them.

How to remove Newsstand, Game Center and other pre-installed stock Apple apps

Not everyone likes Apple's own apps, but it's not easy to get rid of them; Apple doesn't allow you to simply delete Newsstand, Safari, Notes, Game Center and the rest. (We think this is rather inconsiderate policy, and it's one of the things we discuss in this article about Apple's 'monopoly'.) You can get around that, but it may not be worth the effort.

What we do, as a far simpler workaround, is hide the icons for the Apple apps we don't use, in a folder called 'Apple stuff'.

To organise apps into folders, press and hold the icon for one of them until it starts wobbling, then drag it on to the second app you want to be in the folder. iOS will automatically generate a title for the folder based on the apps' descriptions, but if you tap this name you can rename it.

Once again, here's the slightly different look in iOS 6:

Newsstand in iOS 6: For the iOS 6 users out there, you'll find that the exception to this is Newsstand, which Apple evidently loves so much that you're not (currently) permitted to hide it away in a folder. (Although some hotshots on an Apple forumreckon it can be done if you're fast enough. We haven't managed it in a dozen attempts, which suggests that our fingers are old and slow, or that Apple has patched this workaround since then.)

The original thinking may have been that Newsstand acts like a folder in its own right, and you can't nest folder inside other folders in iOS.

Other than updating to iOS 7 (which, among its many larger benefits, allows you to place Newsstand in a folder), the best solution may well be to hide Newsstand in ascreen of its own, rather than a folder. Once again, press and hold any app icon to go into the wobbly mode, then drag Newsstand to the right of the screen and hold it there until the iPhone or iPad takes the hint and moves you on to the next screen. Continue until you get to your right-most screen, then do it once more and iOS will generate an extra screen, where you can drop Newsstand.

From now on you won't even need to see Newsstand, unless you accidentally swipe too far. Phew! (You could dump the 'Apple Stuff' folder here too.)

Okay, but how do you actually delete Newsstand, Game Center and the rest of Apple's stock apps?

Officially you can't delete Apple's own pre-installed iOS apps, leaving most of us with the slightly unsatisfactory hiding methods described above. But if you're willing tojailbreak your iPhone or iPad (disclaimer: we wouldn't recommend that, since it's likely to obliterate any warranties you have with Apple and may even make your device stop working if you foul up the procedure) then you can do pretty much what you like.

Jailbroken iOS devices can access the Cydia marketplace for unauthorised iOS apps. You can search for apps related to Newsstand, but one that's used successfully by a large number of users is called NoNewsIsGoodNews. Install this app and run it, and the Newsstand 'folder' icon will be deleted. Any magazine apps you had inside Newsstand will appear loose on your home screen, and can be placed in folders as normal. Here's some more explanation of the process.

Again, if you want to delete Apple's other apps you'll need to jailbreak the iPhone, and one possibility you'll find on Cydia is called iFile, which lets you access (and delete) all the system and application files on your iPhone. Here's a video of the procedure, but as the man says, remember to back the files up before deleting them, in case you make an error and delete something vital to the running of your Apple device.

If either of these Cydia apps disappear, or you're not happy with them, run similar searches on Cydia, which has plenty of apps for reorganising the files on your iPhone or iPad. But as we've said, be cautious: you're outside Apple's fenced-in ecosystem now.

Is there any way to delete Apple apps without jailbreaking?

Having said that you need to jailbreak, there do appear to be a couple of tweaks out there that will at least temporarily delete pre-installed apps from your iPhone or iPadwithout jailbreaking, but they all involve visiting sites and accessing files that may carry risks, just as jailbreaking does.

One possibility is a site called rag3hack: accessing this site from an iOS device gives you the option to 'delete' stock Apple apps (actually it just changes the settings so that these apps will get the black cross mentioned above, letting you delete them manually). However, the next time you restart the device they'll have returned, so we're not sure this is a solution either.

Complete guide to using the iOS App Store for iPad and iPhone

Here are five ways to find what you're actually looking for in the App Store (and not get side tracked by the rubbish!) Plus we look at the changes coming in iOS 8

With around 1.2 million apps currently available in the App Store, actually finding what you’re looking for is a lot harder than it should be.

Sure, it’s pretty easy to find those brand name apps, like Twitter or Instagram - but unless the one you want has made it to the top of the category, been featured or you know the exact name of what you’re looking for, things can get tricky.

At the moment there’s doesn’t seem to be one ‘best’ way to find apps, so I’d like to outline a few different ways that have worked for me.

Read:

• 8 things we hate about the App Store & iTunes Store and how Apple should improve them
• How to delete any app from your iPhone or iPad
• Future of Apps in iOS 8

1. Use Google

It seems a little ironic, using Google to search Apple’s database, right? But a few handy Google operators might remind you why this is still the world’s favourite search engine…

Here’s an example search for social media apps

1. Google: site:itunes.apple.com/gb/app “social media”

2. Scroll through the results and click on a link to be taken to the iTunes link for the app

3. (optional, but sometimes useful) you can use the ‘Search tools’ feature under the browser bar to order your results by date, or to search for apps that came out within the past year, or month.

How it works

The ‘site:’ operator ensures that Google searches only site:itunes.apple.com/gb/app– which is the app section of the UK iTunes

Whereas “social media” (parentheses included) will give you pages that match the exact term ‘social media’)

So, for example if you wanted to search for apps that mention the phrase 'photo editing' you'd write...

site:itunes.apple.com/gb/app “photo editing”

You can also remove the ‘gb’ to make a search across the entire app store – so that search would now be site:itunes.apple.com/app “photo editing”

2. Ask in Apple Discussions

Apple discussions is a great place to find a lot of often helpful, often vocal Apple users.  And, in terms of finding what you want, sometimes it's best to save yourself the time searching and ask for a personal recommendation.

So - for example, if you wanted an advice on apps that are best for managing your social media you could ask on the forums.

There's two ways to do this, you can choose the section you want to post in, or pose your question, Google style, in the search bar.  The second option will pull up similar threads, if they exist, and/or suggest a good section for you to post your search in

3. Use Vionza

Vionza provides a somewhat less overwhelming way to carry out a search of the App Store. It's also got some filtering around factors like price and rating, along with the ability to arrange results.

Here’s how to use it:

1 Visit http://mac.vionza.com/uk/index.php

2 Change the flag at the top right hand corner to 'UK Store’ if it's not already (this will ensure that it searches the UK App Store)

3 Enter your keywords and choose the category you want to search in, then click search

4 If necessary, arrange your results using price and rating filters on the left side of the page.

4. Use Fnd

Like Vionza, Fnd is another website that searches the app store for you. Fnd has a slicker interface, but seems to lack the filtering that Vionza offers - so I like to think of it as a second choice, if I can't find what I'm looking for in Vionza.

1 Navigate to https://fnd.io/

2 Change the flag at the top left corner to British if it’s not already (this will ensure that it searches the UK App Store)

3 Enter the keywords you wish to search with

4 Choose the ‘apps’ tab from your search results

5 Scroll until you find something that interests you

6 Click ‘view in app store’ to go the app's page in the app store

5. Be Persistent!

If you’re searching within the App Store itself, often it pays to be persistent and try a variety of methods…

Try a variety of search terms

For example - if you were looking for 'social media' related apps,  you might want to try related keywords such "social networking" "social media management" or even something that seems redundant like "social media app" . There's often very little logic to it, but when it comes to searching, persistence pays.

Try the developer’s name

If you know the developer creates good apps - and that they create apps in the category you're looking for, try searching by. Often, the developer’s is specific enough to come up as an exact result.

Use ‘App Discovery’ sites / apps

There's a number of third party websites and apps that are geared around covering the immense app store marketplace. They're more oriented towards discovering new and on-sale apps, and not so good at direct search.

This is usually a last option for me as it takes longest and feels like I'm meandering at this point.

However, if you have the time/inclination to browse through a bunch of curated categories - try a few of the sites/apps on this Alternativeto list.

App Store changes in iOS 8

We know that iOS is going to add additional features, which we're hoping will make things easier. Here's a few things to expect in iOS 8's App Store.

Explore Tab - The Explore Tab bar sits at the bottom of the App Store app and provides a more streamlined means of browsing the App Store's various categories and subcategories - at current these can only be accessed via the Categories option at the top of the Featured tab.

Search Tab - Changes to search will show you, Twitter style, what all the current trending searches are - showing you what's popular and what apps people are talking about.

Related Search Terms - App Store will now show you search terms related to what you just searched for. This should hopefully save you some time coming up with alternative search terms if you can't find what you want, making your search easier.

Scrolling Search Results - iOS8 will return a continually scrolling list of results, including app information and screen shots for each one. This is opposed to you having to swipe across each one, like in iOS7 - which should save you a lot of swiping!

Editor's Choice Icon - Any app that has ever made 'Editors Choice' will be identifiable with an Editor's Choice icon - this way you know that at one point this app was good enough to be picked out by Apple, even long after it's been highlighted.

Set up Photo Stream on your Mac, iPad, and iPhone and see your photos on all your Apple devices

Step 1 of 9: Create an iCloud account on your Mac or iOS device

For Photo Stream to work you’ll need to have an active iCloud account.

Usually you’ll create this when setting up a new machine, but if you skipped that part it’s easy and free to open one now on your Mac or iOS device.

On your Mac click on the System Preferences icon in the Dock, then select iCloud and simply enter your Apple ID. You’ll be given a few settings to enable, just make sure that you click on the options button next to Photos and that the My Photo Stream box is ticked.

To create an account on an iOS device go to Settings, iCloud, and enter your Apple ID.

Step 2 of 9: Enable iCloud in iPhoto

Now that your account is created you’ll need to give applications permission to use it before any photos will be able to download.

Again this is very simple. Launch iPhoto on your Mac and look in the left hand column where you’ll find the Library, Recent, and Sharing categories.

Under the latter is iCloud, click on this and then select the Use iCloud option.

Your account is now ready to receive any images you create, so it’s time to enable that feature on your iOS devices.

Step 3 of 9: Enable Photo Stream on your iPhone

As the iPhone is likely to be the device you use most for photography, having a working Photo Stream is very important.

To do so you’ll need to go to Settings, then iCloud and ensure that the My Photo Stream button is enabled.

Depending on which iPhone you have you may also see the Upload Burst Photos option, which will transfer only your favourite photos from Burst mode if you enable it.

This is good as otherwise your photo library would be swamped with duplicates of essentially the same image.

Step 4 of 9: Enable Photostream on your iPad

As the iPad is running the same software as the iPhone the setup is pretty much identical.

The one omission is the Upload Burst Photos option is missing from the iPad as the cameras are not quite as powerful as those of its smaller sibling.

So to enable Photo Stream go to Settings, scroll down until you find iCloud, tap on Photos, then ensure that the My Photo Stream button is slid to the right and coloured green.

Step 5 of 9: Take a picture to see how it works

Now that all your devices are in sync its time to see just how easy Photo Stream is to use.

With your iPhone or iPad take a picture of something. It needn’t be high art, just a quick shot to test that everything is working properly.

Once the picture is taken go to the iPhoto library on your Mac, or to the Photos app on your iPad, and (as long as you are connected to WiFi) you should see the photo arrive shortly after you snapped it on your iOS device.

It’s that simple. As you continue to capture moments, the photos will now sync quickly and quietly in the background.

Step 6 of 9: How many pictures can Photo Stream store?

While Photo Stream is very easy to use, understanding how the storage works can be a little more challenging.

Essentially you are entitled to one thousand photos, which is a large amount, and none of these count against your iCloud storage.

One thing to note though is that the photos are only held on the iCloud servers for thirty days. This means that if you buy a new iPhone or iPad and setup Photo Stream, you’ll only see photos from the last four weeks.

Existing devices will hold all one thousand as they’ve already synced them from the servers before they were deleted.

Step 7 of 9: Sharing your Stream - Creating a folder

Along with your own devices, it’s also possible to share your photo streams with friends and family. To do this you’ll need to create a new stream folder.

First off you’ll also need to check that Photo Sharing is enabled by navigating to Settings>iCloud>Photos. Then go to the Photos app on your iOS device and tap the Shared icon at the bottom of the screen.

After the library has updated you’ll see the option Create New Stream. Tap this, name the Stream, and then add the contacts you wish to share your photos with.

Bear in in mind that the recipients will need to have Apple IDs and iCloud accounts to access the Stream.

Now tap Create and your Stream is ready. You can create multiple Streams, and add different photos in each. We’ll do that next.

Step 8 of 9: Sharing your Stream - adding photos

Tap on the Stream name you’ve created and you’ll see the folder is empty. To remedy this tap the plus box in the top left corner then select the photos you wish to share in the Stream.

You can do this individually or tap on the Select option on the right which will highlight all the images in that particular group.

When you’re happy tap Done, add a note if you want to, and the Stream is now accessible to those you invited.

Step 9 of 9: Photo Stream in iOS 8 and Yosemite

With iOS 8 on the Horizon, and new changes set to take place in OS X Yosemite, Apple is set to update these features to even better ones in the near future.

Come the autumn, Apple’s 1000-photo iCloud sync limit will be history, to be replaced by an all-encompassing, some-storage-required iCloud Photo Library.

iOS 8 you’ll have two choices: Keep your photos on the phone locally and use Photo Stream to wirelessly sync them to your other iCloud-enabled devices, as you have in the past; or use Apple’s new iCloud Photo Library.

If you enable the library, and any photo or video you shoot or import will automatically upload to iCloud. That content will be stored at its full resolution and in its original format (e.g. JPG, PNG, Raw.)

All of those images will be viewable on any iOS device or on the web; and from the beginning of 2015, you’ll be able to upload and view photos from your Mac, too.

Unfortunately you will have to start paying for the storage you use, unlike Photo Stream, but it’s going to be cheap. Apple says you will get 5GB for free as part of your iCloud account, and you’ll be able to buy 20GB of storage space for just $1/month—or 200GB for $4/month. We expect that UK pricing will be around 79p - £3.49 a month (in line with prices on the iOS App Store).

Having your library synced and backed up to iCloud should be a great way to keep your pictures backed up and easily accessible. We hope that you will be able to manage your storage space by only downloading the photos that you want, rather than filling up your devices with every image you’ve ever taken, which could eat up a lot of storage on a 16GB iPhone.

Seeking tablet revenue growth, Apple to reportedly launch 12.9-inch iPad Pro in 2015

Apple is preparing to roll out a larger, 12.9-inch version of its iPad for 2015, with production set to begin in the first quarter of next year, Bloomberg cited people with knowledge of the matter as saying on Tuesday.

The report comes as Apple struggles with declining sales of its 10-inch and 7.9-inch tablets, which are faltering as people replace iPads less frequently than expected and larger smartphones made by Samsung and other rivals encroach upon sales.

Apple has been working with its suppliers for over a year on larger touch-screen devices, Bloomberg cited the sources as saying. It is expected to introduce larger versions of its 4-inch iPhone next month, although the company has not publicized plans for its most important device.

Apple was not immediately available for comment.

Late last year, reports about Apple working on a 12.9-inch iPad with high-resolution display surface. The iteration is believed to be a blend of the Macbook Pro and Macbook Air, but without a keyboard. Previous reports also claimed that the device could be named iPad Pro. Very apt, we must say.

Recently, Apple also posted its quarterly revenue at $37.4 billion and a quarterly net profit of $7.7 billion. The overall revenue rose a meagre six percent. Moreover, the figures were driven by iPhone and Mac sales. While iPhone and Mac sales rose and new bigger screen devices are expected from Apple, the iPad hasn’t been doing so well. Sales of the iPad were down drastically for the company.

Apple sold close to 13.2 million iPads in the quarter, which is again less than the 16.3 million sold in Q2 of 2014, and less than the 14.6 million iPads sold in Q3 of 2013. With the new iPad, Apple certainly aims at increasing the iPad sales numbers.