If the rumors are true, we’re now less than a month away from Apple unveiling the rumored iPhone 6, and about a month until it becomes available. While the specs of the iPhone 6 are mostly speculation, it’s a virtual lock that the phones will arrive running Apple’s new mobile operating system, iOS 8. Given the tight integration between iOS 8 and Apple’s forthcoming new Mac OS, Yosemite, it’s increasingly probable that we’ll see both OS upgrades debuting more or less simultaneously. Apple fired up their new content delivery network last week, with one of the primary goals of being able to deliver faster OS downloads to customers. There’s little doubt they’ll be pushing that new network to its limits the week of September 15th.
With that in mind, there are some simple maintenance steps you should take prior to upgrading either your iOS or Mac operating systems to insure a trouble-free upgrade process.
Every good support tutorial begins with a recommendation to backup. The simple fact is you should be backing up regularly regardless of performing system upgrades, but the reality is at no time is your data more at risk than when you’re doing a major operating system upgrade. So, with that in mind, run complete backups of your Macs and your iOS devices before you start your upgrades.
It takes a lot of open storage space on your Mac or iOS device to perform a system upgrade efficiently, and you’ll need to confirm you have that space available before attempting an upgrade.With the advent of flash memory in the MacBook Air and Retina MacBook Pro, combined with ever-larger media files, storage space is at a premium like never before. If you’re running out of storage space on your Mac, we’ve prepared this helpful guide to freeing up space so you’re back working in top form once again. Even more common than a full hard dive on your Mac, and potentially more problematic, is getting the message that your iPhone or iPad is out of storage space. Fortunately there are things you can do to free up space there as well. Read Tech Haven’s guide to find out how.
Verify That Your Essential Apps Work On The New OS
If your Mac or iPhone is mission-critical to your daily existence, it’s vital you confirm that your essential apps function correctly on the new operating systems BEFORE YOU UPGRADE your devices. Often with new operating systems, many apps need to be updated to both to best take advantage of the features of the new OS, but more importantly to function at all on the new OS, Roaring Apps is a useful site to check to confirm your vital apps are Yosemite or iOS 8 compatible. If your most important apps aren’t compatible with the new OS, do not upgrade yet. Wait a few days after the upgrade is released, and most of your apps makers should have released updates by then. Good rule of thumb: update all your apps first, then upgrade your OS.
With these simple maintenance steps complete, you’re primed to have a smooth upgrade experience. Be sure to check back in the coming weeks for Tech Haven’s guide to using both new operating systems, as there will surely be numerous new tips and tricks for all of us to learn to maximize our use of the new technologies.
