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Apple releases iOS 8 for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch

iPhone6_PF_SpGry_5-Up_iOS8-PRINT

After more than three months in beta, iOS 8 brings actionable notifications, improved group chat support, new picture and voice messaging features in Messages, Continuity and Handoff, third-party Today widgets in Notification Center, sharing extensions and much more. Apple has released iOS 8 for almost all of its devices that run iOS 7. The full list of supported devices is as follows:

  • iPhone 4s, iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus
  • iPad 2, iPad 3, iPad with Retina Display, iPad mini, iPad Air, iPad mini with Retina Display
  • iPod touch, fifth-generation

iOS 8 is now available as an over-the-air update or through iTunes. Go to Settings -> Software Update on your iOS device to update right now. Naturally, iOS 8 will come preinstalled on Apple’s latest iPhones, the 6 and the 6 Plus, when they are delivered later this week.

iOS 8 adds new group messaging controls to the Messages app, a new focus on voice messages (using the microphone to record soundbites to send to friends) as well as quick shortcuts to picture attachments. You can also respond to incoming messages without losing your place in the system, by swiping down on the notification to reveal a quick-reply text box. Quick access to recent and favorite contacts is now accessible in the multitasking view,  at the top of the screen.

The update also adds a ‘QuickType’ word prediction bar along the top of the keyboard, to speed up text entry. With Continuity, you can now carry on your SMS conversations across iPhone and iPad. However, note that this feature has been delayed until October, to coincide with the launch of Yosemite.

iOS-8-Continuity-SMS

 

In Mail, swiping on table cells does more than simply delete messages. You can mark as read, flag, archive or delete with the various quick action shortcuts that are presented. This is customizable in Mail settings, too, if you want a different configuration. Mail also makes the New Message view less modal in iOS 8. You can now drag it down to the bottom of the screen, midst composition, to reference another email in your inbox. Simply tap on the docked ‘window’ to restore it. It’s a UI interaction that I really like and hope becomes more pervasive across the system.

The Health app is a brand new addition for iOS 8, as well. It acts as a central location for all your health and fitness data. You can view charts of anything that is being tracked and favorite specific statistics to view on your Dashboard. The Health app is an integral part of the Apple Watch, which will be available early in 2015.

Whilst the Health app is exclusive to iPhone, the iPad has some device specific enhancements too. Most notably in Safari, there is a brand new tab view for iPad. It collects tabs into groups based on hostname, making management of multiple websites a lot easier to deal with. You can simply drag and drop tabs to rearrange them. iCloud Tabs are now visible below this grid view, reminiscent of the iPhone interface. You can pinch-zoom in both directions to enter and exit the tab overview mode. It feels really fluid and smooth, even on older hardware.

Spotlight search has also been overhauled with some new features across both iPhone and iPad. You can now search for nearby points of interest, movie times, news and much more right from the search box on your Home Screen. Spotlight will also flag up Wikipedia articles about your query inline.

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Much of iOS 8 relies on developers updating their apps to support the new technologies, which is happening as we speak. Soon, apps like Facebook will show buttons in their notifications to quickly act upon their content, contextually. The Health app will also become much more powerful when third-party developers integrate with HealthKit to supply the app with more information. You can also add third-party widgets to Notification Center, as long as the app includes one.

Stay tuned to 9to5Mac as we will be publishing roundups of these categories of apps soon, like custom keyboards and sharing extensions, so you can try out all the new features as soon as possible.

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Comments

  1. sachinbahal - 10 years ago

    Reblogged this on TheCanadianTechie and commented:
    Do backup your data first, and then you should update to iOS 8.

  2. Edison Wrzosek - 10 years ago

    I’m on this like a fat kid on a cup cake!!!

  3. What build is it?

  4. Kevin Noah - 10 years ago

    Oh perfect. “The iPhone software update server could not be contacted.”-.-

    • aphetoros - 10 years ago

      Well, you know today is the release day right? So, it’s going to be pretty busy. Use your brain?

      • Chad Colliflower (@MRI3t) - 10 years ago

        Word!

      • Beckham Le'Var - 10 years ago

        Aphetoros…. how do you know Kevin didn’t already know that, and simply wanted to comment on it? I could say use your brains, but whole myself to a high standard, and respect you as a man/woman enough to not insult you.

  5. Just wondering, if I’m on the Gold Master of iOS 8, will I still be able to update OTA or through iTunes like normal?

  6. amine Bajeddi - 10 years ago

    Server could not be contacted

    • Dizzy Dame - 10 years ago

      imore.com has an article on how to free up space for the update.. check it out.. im sure 9to5mac wont mind u going there :D

    • Dizzy Dame - 10 years ago

      oh sorry, amine, this reply was meant for another poster, anson

  7. anson (@neotrooper) - 10 years ago

    its asking for 5.8gigs of available space… how am i supposed to make room for that?!?!

  8. Edison Wrzosek - 10 years ago

    I’m able to contact the update server, but it’s still showing iOS 7.1.2 as the latest for my 5S, dang it!

  9. citygrl23 - 10 years ago

    Whoa, 5.8GB space required. I basically need to delete half my phone content to upgrade to iOS8. Ouch

  10. Omar Sharif - 10 years ago

    It requires 6.9GB to be free for installation , is that normal ?

  11. Kimberly Jeans - 10 years ago

    Both my iPhone 5 and my iPad mini keep telling me “Unable to Check for Update: An error occurred while checking for a software update (Cancel/Try Again)” Over and over…and over and over

  12. cfl1999 - 10 years ago

    For those who have the GM that was released last week, how can we update?

  13. chrisl84 - 10 years ago

    4.6 GB required for my iPhone 4S…..looks like I’ll be updating through itunes.

  14. Is it the same Build of GM?

  15. Toro Volt (@torovolt) - 10 years ago

    Caution: Those who owns older devices(4S, iPad2, Mini, iPod) should hold it because there is a performance hit. Once iOS8 is installed there is not going back to previous iOS.

  16. Had to delete some apps to accept update. plug phone into yourMac then on your phone look for update.

    • aeronperyton - 10 years ago

      That’s… not how it works. Either update from your phone via Settings or connect it to your computer and update via iTunes. You do not have to plug your phone into your computer to update over-the-air.

      • I think he might be referring to the plug into a power source message that people with low battery get.

  17. e.c. (@_edwardc) - 10 years ago

    updating to 8.0 as of now, mine said 1.1gb needed OTA update. Excited!

  18. Marvin (@5chm17z) - 10 years ago

    Same as the GM? I got all my GM’s downloaded, would come in handy :P

  19. amine Bajeddi - 10 years ago

    I’ve spend 20 min of my life doing nothing but hitting the”check for update button” !!! Feel like a kid waiting for his toy to come

  20. what is the build number? Is it the same as the GM?

  21. Edison Wrzosek - 10 years ago

    OOO OOO OOOOOOOOOO It’s coming in now!!!

    YES!!!! 1.92GB via iTunes!

  22. Cory © (@Nardes) - 10 years ago

    4.6gb needed for the iPhone 5… needing that much space is going to go over like a lead balloon. Most people understand you get that space back but most don’t and that’s all I’m going to see on facebook for the next week, about how first they put music on my phone without my consent, and now they need how many gigabytes of space for iOS8?!

  23. Overlord - 10 years ago

    IT’S ALIVE!

  24. Melissa French - 10 years ago

    Just got download which was available by wifi. I have 3 to 4 hrs to go. Can’t wait to see all the exciting update and bloatware that I can get from the cider maker. :)

  25. 6.9 GB on my 16GB iPad. Literally had to delete all but two third party apps, yet the download size of iOS 8 is only 1.8 GB…

  26. joshkeyesuhc - 10 years ago

    After you install iOS 8 does it restore your phone from your icloud backup? I’m hoping that I don’t have to wait for it to download all of my apps again and I also hope that I don’t have to sync my music to it again.

    • taoprophet420 - 10 years ago

      No. OTA updates don’t require you to restore from a backup.

      • joshkeyesuhc - 10 years ago

        So after it updates and starts back up, it’s exactly like it was before you did the update, except it’s iOS 8? How do you know this?

      • taoprophet420 - 10 years ago

        Because, it’s the way it has worked since Apple moved to OTA updates.

  27. António Chumbo - 10 years ago

    “Preparing update…”. I´m so excited.

  28. Alfarabi (@Alfaraabi) - 10 years ago

    only need 1.1gigs for my 5s

  29. patstar5 - 10 years ago

    I haven’t used my ipad in months and I switched to android. Really dont use my mid 2010 MacBook pro. So whar advantage does it bring me if i update to ios 8? I think most of the features are only if you own iphone, ipad, mac, and ipod

    • Tony Toon - 10 years ago

      The main addition in your case would be extensions – allowing you to install custom sharing options and keyboards. There’s a few other niceties, but it’s not nearly the jump from iOS 6 to iOS 7. Ars Technica described it well as feeling like iOS 7 was split into two updates, and this is the second half.

      • patstar5 - 10 years ago

        Ok… Well i am updating, if this makes my ipad 2 even slower it will be unusable. The main devices i use today are my android phone and windows 2 in 1. I do like my mac but it has become so slow… I don’t want to pay $300 to replace hdd with ssd and upgrade ram but i might have too

    • Tom Who (@TommieWho) - 10 years ago

      If you don’t own or use an iPhone or iPad, this update is irrelevant for you.

    • flaviosuave - 10 years ago

      Assuming you’re not just a paid Samsung troll, your question is basically “I don’t drive a car, so what is the advantage to me by switching from regular to premium gasoline?” Well, you don’t drive, so…none. None at all. But we’re all glad you took the time to stop by and leave this comment!

      • patstar5 - 10 years ago

        I hate Samsung. Do not call me a Samsung troll. Touchwiz is horrible and they make plastic phones that blow up.

      • Aunty Troll (@AuntyTroll) - 10 years ago

        Yeah because a paid Samsung troll would come onto this particular forum and specifically make a negative post about what the benefits of not update to iOS8. He has a different opinion to yours. People who automatically think that because some folk are not wedged between Apple’s cheeks they are somehow Samsung, Android, Windows, Linux trolls need to seriously grow up.

        I have installed iOS8 on my iPhone 5S and can already see the benefits of it – it’s awesome. When it is paired with the features in Yosemite it’s going to be an incredible setup.

  30. Vinayak Nair - 10 years ago

    Preparing Update:) on iPhone 5s

  31. Nathan (@NathanUrbina) - 10 years ago

    How do you lock down iMessage to only get/send messages from a few contacts? For a kids phone, we only want their friends messaging them not the world.

    • citygrl23 - 10 years ago

      You can’t do that. Unless you got the phone numbers of the world and blocked them all individually.

  32. Ilko Sarafski - 10 years ago

    Hey! Has anyone tried iOS 8 on iPad 2? I am wondering should I update it or that will kill my really old now iPad 2… :) Looking forward for your answers!

  33. Edison Wrzosek - 10 years ago

    Running iOS 8.0 now on my 5S, and so far silky smooth, liking the new changes!!! GO !

  34. Been updating for 2 3/4 hours and still says 4 hours left, anyone else having such a slow download on ipad? iPhone only took 2 hours, is it an ipad thing?

    • citygrl23 - 10 years ago

      2 hrs in, still says 4 hrs remaining for my iphone 5s

    • Rosemary Hider - 10 years ago

      ipad 4 After 2 hours it said 33 hours remaining then dropped to 10 hours after 30mins. it jumped to 14hours remaining. I have a good connection so problem Mac end. Cut my losses and disconnected

  35. Ramon Sabri (@imar123) - 10 years ago

    Hi. If i buy iOS developer account from apple could I install apps from iphonecake?

  36. Taste_of_Apple - 10 years ago

    Some great new features here. Get it now!

  37. Nick Santos - 10 years ago

    Hi guys!
    I’ve got an 5S with 16GB. Even though it gets 6.1GB free, I’m getting an message like “doesn’t have enough space”.
    Can someone help me, please?

  38. timothyrlewis - 10 years ago

    There is no option in the quick contacts for FaceTime Audio…fail!

  39. Ali Hamodi (@iAli87) - 10 years ago

    I Downloaded ios8 only because I am with tmobile and I really needed the wifi calling option because coverage it not good in where I live.
    Well, “Wifi calling”option is not available in the iphone 5, but it is available in the iphone 5c.
    fk u apple. really fk you.

  40. Neha Mehra - 10 years ago

    Just downloaded it and not so impressed but not so dissapointed either.This link featured some really good hidden features that impressed me.http://viralexpose.com/going-viral/ios-8-review-apple-is-out-with-their-new-ios-8-that-will-impress-you/

  41. Andrew Tischler - 10 years ago

    I installed this on an old 4s and there is definitely a performance hit as stated before. I am using this as a test to see if its worth going back to iPhone from Android. The notion that it integrates so well with my mac makes it really attractive to make the switch. Unfortunately I have not seen anything super impressive about it. The keyboards are a nice touch but lack many of the features that make them great in Android. I plan on standing in line early Friday to get my hands on a 6. May end up walking out with a G3.

  42. megajacobf - 10 years ago

    i updated my 5c and all my album art is gone under music! anyone else have this?

    • Steve Hope - 9 years ago

      mine did too , how do you get it back ?

      • megajacobf - 9 years ago

        i deleted all my music under settings then i synced via iTunes on my computer and my album art came back!

  43. Jan Jenner - 10 years ago

    My ipad mini has gone into lockdown, how do I unlock it?

  44. Hayley-louise Coulson - 10 years ago

    Does anyone know what will happen if my phone gets disconnected from the wifi during my update? its been updated for at least 4 hours and it dont seem to have moved for the last 2 hours. im going to be leaving work soon and its still only half way. please help??

  45. Christina Karageorgiou - 10 years ago

    I send a message with my location by mistake and was able to cancel it. Now the bar showing the progress of the message i sent wont go away and i cannot delete the message. Help!

  46. happyhoofs - 10 years ago

    Hi, on the new id ate my keyboard keeps disappearing when I try and use it on the facebook app.

  47. Barbara (@btkdiva) - 10 years ago

    My iPhone update has failed about seven times and it just told me that the update will take about 40 hours! LMAO

  48. Gillian Aranha - 10 years ago

    Help, updated my ipad 4 and now cannot use Safari|||

  49. Judy Harris - 9 years ago

    Updated both iPad air and iPhone 5s. Doesn’t automatically find my phone to backup to my iMac, but backs up the iPad. iPad won’t save my Facebook login in Safari, but iPhone does.

  50. David Boundy - 9 years ago

    I made the mistake of starting a download/install of updates (to my iPhone 5c). Too late I realized that this was a major release, not a little “update.”

    I do not want to be anywhere near the leading edge. Now that I have this thing downloaded, how do I NOT “Install Now?”

  51. Julia Davis - 9 years ago

    How do you stop these updates

Author

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Benjamin Mayo

Benjamin develops iOS apps professionally and covers Apple news and rumors for 9to5Mac. Listen to Benjamin, every week, on the Happy Hour podcast. Check out his personal blog. Message Benjamin over email or Twitter.