Things you should know about Apple’s iOS 15, iPadOS 15, watchOS 8 updates for iPhones, iPads, Apple watches

Apple’s iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and watchOS 8 are presently available for users to download. The latest versions of Apple’s operating systems for iPhones, iPads, and watches bring a range of new features. A release date for macOS 12 Monterey has not been still declared.

Apple iOS 15: Full list of eligible devices

Apple’s latest iPhone 13 series will accompany iOS 15 out of the box. The older iPhone 12 series, iPhone 11, iPhone XS, iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 7, and iPhone 6s series will all get the update. The two versions of the iPhone SE, which are the 2016 and 2020 variations will likewise be eligible for the latest OS. At long last, Apple will likewise keep on supporting iPod Touch (7th Generation).

While Apple keeps on supporting older iPhones, it ought to be noticed that some of the features, for example, Portrait mode on FaceTime will be limited to more latest iPhones, particularly those running A12 Bionic chipset or later. The A12 Bionic chipset was seen on the iPhone XS series, which launched back in 2018. So if you can have an older iPhone 8 or iPhone X, you will miss out on some of the more up-to-date features.

The list of iPhones that will be eligible for iOS 15 incorporates iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone SE (2020), and the iPod touch (7th generation). The new software update will come pre-loaded on the recently launched iPhone 13 series–iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, and the iPhone 13 mini.

iOS 15: Download size

The update is around 3GB in size. Users can go to Settings>General>Software Update and check for the update. Ensure the iPhone or iPad is charged more than 50% before you begin installing and download. It is recommended to download over WiFi, and not your mobile data, given the latter can be an unstable connection at times.

How to download iOS 15

iOS 15 will be released in India at 10:30 PM IST. Users would then be able to download the latest update on their eligible iPhone or iPod touch by heading to Settings > General > Software Update. If the auto-download option is turned on, the iOS 15 will get downloaded automatically.

iPadOS 15: Full list of eligible devices

iPadOS 15 will be coming to all iPad Pro 12.9-inch and iPad Pro 11-inch versions and the iPad Pro 10.5-inch and iPad Pro 9.7-inch. It will likewise be carried out to the standard iPad (5th generation or more), iPad mini 4, 5th, and 6th generation. The latest iPad mini that Apple just launched is running the new iPadOS. Apple iPad Air 2nd generation and above will likewise get the latest OS.

iPadOS 15 will support the following devices iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st generation), iPad Pro 10.5-inch, iPad Pro 9.7-inch, iPad (8th generation), iPad (7th generation), iPad (6th generation), iPad (5th generation), iPad mini (5th generation), iPad mini 4, iPad Air (4th generation), iPad Air (3rd generation), and iPad Air 2. The recently launched iPad mini and the new iPad will have the latest update pre-loaded.

How to download iPadOS 15

Users having eligible iPads can upgrade to iPadOS 15 by opening Settings > General > Software Update. The update will download automatically if you have turned on the option.

watchOS 8: Full list of eligible devices

The watchOS 8 updates will keep on supporting Apple Watch Series 3 or above. The latest Watch Series 7 will run watchOS 8 out of the box. To use watchOS 8, clients will likewise require iPhone 6s or later with iOS 15 or later.

watchOS 8, the new update for Apple Watches will be viable with the Apple Watch Series 3 or above. Clients will require iPhone 6s or above with iOS 15 to attempt new watchOS 8 features on their Apple Watch.

How to download watchOS 8

To download the software go to General > Software Update on the Watch app on your iPhone. If your Watch is connected to Wi-Fi, simply go to Settings > General > Software Update.

Before you start with the process, it is recommended to backup your Apple device. You can backup the files using iCloud or Mac. Additionally, guarantee that the gadget has sufficient storage and adequate battery backup before you install the new software update.

iOS 15: What’s new?

Apple iOS 15 carries new features to FaceTime, including the support for spatial audio, SharePlay, Portrait mode, a new Grid mode, and voice isolation mode also. In particular, clients will want to share links to their FaceTime calls, and those on a non-Apple gadget will want to access these. So indeed, FaceTime calls will work on Android and Windows-based gadgets through a browser.

Apple is likewise carrying various features to its Messages app. Above all for India, however, it will carry abilities to turn “notifications on or off for unknown senders, transactions, and promotions.” This will allow clients to have more control over notifications on various types of messages. Memoji is likewise getting more customizations including glasses, stickers, and new accessibility options.

Apple is adding a new ‘Focus’ feature also which will allow users to customize notification filter dependent on their preference. So they will want to set up a profile say ‘Work’ or ‘Exercise’ and decide which notifications ought to show up during this period. Further, Apple is updating notifications in iOS 15 with contact photos for individuals and bigger icons for apps. A new notification summary feature will permit a few notifications to be clubbed together.

The new OS will likewise renew focus on privacy. There will be a new App Privacy Report in the Settings to allow clients to perceive how frequently an app is accessing location, photos, camera, microphone, contacts in the last seven days. It additionally shows “which apps have contacted other domains and how recently they have contacted them,” as indicated by Apple.

Further, Apple says that with regards to Siri, all audio of any requests will currently be processed totally on the iPhone except if the user decides to share it. Apple is additionally adding more offline support for Siri.

With iOS 15, Apple is additionally bringing a new iCloud+ service that will allow clients to gain access to what it calls iCloud Private Relay. This will allow users to interface with any network virtually through Safari and browse privately. Apple says all traffic leaving the gadget will be encrypted, and nobody can intercept or read it, including the iPhone producer itself.

At last, Apple will allow clients to pick on the off chance that they wish to quit getting iOS 15 and simply install security updates on their gadget while proceeding with iOS 14. As per Apple, clients will want to continue on iOS 14 and still get significant security updates.

List of compatible devices

iOS 15 compatible devices:

• iPod Touch 7th Generation
• iPhone SE 2016
• iPhone 6s
• iPhone 6s Plus
• iPhone 7
• iPhone 7 Plus
• iPhone 8
• iPhone 8 Plus
• iPhone X
• iPhone XR
• iPhone XS
• iPhone XS Max
• iPhone 11
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone SE 2020
• iPhone 12
• iPhone 12 mini
• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 Pro Max

iPadOS 15 compatible devices:

• iPad mini (4th Generation and up)
• iPad (5th Generation and up)
• iPad Air (3rd Generation and up)
• iPad Air 2
• iPad Pro (All models)

watchOS 8 compatible Apple Watch models:

• Apple Watch SE
• Apple Watch Series 3
• Apple Watch Series 4
• Apple Watch Series 5
• Apple Watch Series 6

The original Apple Watch, as well as Series 2, won’t work with the new software.

tvOS will run on the 1st and 2nd Generation Apple TV 4K hardware and Apple TV HD (4th Generation). None of the previous models of Apple TV are supported.