Install iPadOS 15 and get new iPad features

iPadOS 18, Apple's new iPad operating system, will be officially released on Monday, September 16! The update brings many exciting new features, including Apple Intelligence for the M1 and subsequent chips, a new calculator app with cool math notes, and unprecedented customization options for personalized home screens.

Ready to upgrade? This article will explain in detail the entire process of iPadOS 18 upgrade, covering steps such as backup, download, installation and setup, and provide solutions to common problems such as insufficient space or Wi-Fi connection problems. In addition, we will explore whether it is wise to install the iPadOS beta, and the difference between the public beta and the developer beta.

iPadOS 18 upgrade preparations

Be sure to prepare the following before installing any software updates:

• Backup your iPad: This is a crucial step to prevent the loss of important data.
• Clean up storage space: Make sure there is enough storage space for new updates. You can delete some movies or TV shows, as long as they are downloaded from Apple or the service you are still subscribed to, and can be downloaded later.
• Check compatibility: Confirm whether your iPad model supports iPadOS 18. iPadOS 18 is compatible with the following iPad models:

Compatible with iPad models:

• iPad Pro (M4)
• 12.9-inch iPad Pro (third generation and higher)
• 11-inch iPad Pro
• iPad Air (M2)
• iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
• iPad (7th generation and later)
• iPad mini (5th generation and later)

This means that the iPad Pro in 2016 or 2017, and the sixth-generation iPad in 2018 will not be upgraded to iPadOS 18. Apple will continue to provide security updates to these devices for at least one year.

How to upgrade to iPadOS 18

After the release of iPadOS 18 (or any subsequent iPadOS updates), you will eventually receive an update alert on your iPad (usually a week later). If you want to upgrade immediately, you need to go to the Settings app to download it manually.

1. Connect to Wi-Fi: Although it can be installed using a cellular network, this consumes a lot of data. It is recommended that you connect to a secure network.
2. Open Settings: Go to Settings > General > Software Updates to see if there are any updates available.
3. Download and install: After finding the new software, click "Download and install".
4. Enter your password and agree to the terms: Enter your password as prompted and agree to the terms and conditions.
5. Background download: The device will download updates in the background. You can use your iPad while downloading. You will be notified after the download is complete.
6. Install now: Click "Install now". Your iPad will verify the update and restart.
7. Installing the update: After the iPad restarts, the update will begin to be installed, which will take several minutes, depending on the size of the update. The first version of iPadOS 18 may take longer than usual.
8. Night Installation: You can also choose to install iPadOS 18 at night when the iPad is connected to the power supply.

How to download iPadOS without Wi-Fi

If you want to install a new version of iPadOS but don't have access to secure Wi-Fi, you might consider using cellular data.

In iPadOS 13, Apple has lifted the data connection download limit of more than 200MB, so you can download apps of any size. Go to Settings > App Store > App Downloads and you can choose Ask when more than 200MB, Always Allow, or Always Ask.

Note that even the "unlimited" data package isn't really unlimited - the carrier will ultimately limit your speed. You can also connect your iPad to your iPhone to share the connection. But it's better to wait until you can connect to a stable Wi-Fi connection before downloading.

How to download iPadOS via Mac (or PC)

If your Mac is connected to the Internet via Ethernet or otherwise, you can use Finder to download iPadOS. Connect the USB-C to USB-C cable to iPad and Mac.

1. Open Finder on your Mac and connect to your iPad.
2. Click the icon that represents your iPad.
3. Click "Update".
4. Follow the prompts to download and install iPadOS.

Note that in older versions of macOS or Windows, iTunes is responsible for this process.

Why can't my iPad be updated?

Here are some reasons why iPads can't display available updates:

• The update may not be available yet.
• There may be problems with Apple servers, especially on the day of release.
• Your iPad may be too old to run a new version of iPadOS.
• You may not be connected to Wi-Fi.

If none of the above applies, try installing via Finder or iTunes.

Should iPadOS beta be installed?

Before the official update is released, Apple will conduct weeks of testing and anyone can participate. Running a beta version is the only way to get an iPadOS version before its official release, and you may be inclined to install a beta version if you want to get the latest features first.

But remember that beta is not the final software. It may contain bugs (looking for bugs is the main reason Apple allows the public to try beta), and it may be missing all the features and interface elements that appear in the final version.

Therefore, we recommend taking iPadOS beta with caution, and if you rely on your iPad for important work, it is not recommended to install beta on your main iPad.

Developer beta and public beta

Apple runs two iPadOS beta programs, one for developers and the other for users who are registered as public testers. Developer beta is slightly ahead at any given time: Apple first rolls out each version to developers and then to the public.

In the past, the developer beta was only for developers who paid for the fee to join the developer program, but now the company has allowed developers to download the developer beta only as a developer with a free account.

How to install iPadOS beta

In the past, it was necessary to install configuration files on the iPad to receive beta, but starting with iOS 16.4, this is no longer needed. Now, you can download the beta from the Software Updates tab in Settings as long as you are registered.

How to exit the beta program

If you have tried beta before iPadOS officially released, please note that in order to get the upcoming non-beta version of iPadOS, you need to perform the following steps:

1. Go to Settings > General > Software Updates.
2. Click "Beta".
3. Select Close in the Beta Update section.

If you want to try the beta again, just go back to this page and select the relevant beta.

How to restore to an older version of iPadOS

If you later change your mind and want to try downgrading to an older version of iPadOS, be aware that this requires erasing your iPad, so make sure you have a way to recover old files – but be aware that recovery from iCloud backups created during beta will also restore the beta! (Also note that downgrades are tricky, so we can't guarantee that you will be able to recover.)

1. Download the correct version of iPadOS for your iPad from IPSW.me. It needs to be still signed by Apple, which is a very narrow window of time today. It should start downloading to your "Download" folder.
2. On your Mac, open Finder.
3. Connect your iPad.
4. You need to turn off Find on the device. Go to "Settings" and click on your ID information. Click Find > Find My iPad and switch the slider to Off. Enter your Apple ID password.
5. In Finder on your Mac, hold down the Option/Alt key and click “Restore iPad”. This should allow you to select the version of iPadOS you wish to install on your iPad from the download folder, find it, and click "Open".
6. A message will be displayed indicating which version of iPadOS you will install. Click Confirm and wait for your iPad to recover.
7. Once your iPad boots up, you can choose to restore from backup, but please note that if this backup was done after updating the iPadOS version, you will restore that version of iPadOS. You may be lucky enough to find a backup of older versions – click on the device to see what version of iPadOS they are. You can use backups from other devices for backups, but some data may not be synchronized.

If your iPad doesn't run the iPadOS version you want, you may want to check out our summary of the best iPad offers to save money when purchasing a new iPad.

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