Go and grab yourself the big new update and then become an instant expert on all of the new apps and features

Get excited because iOS 14 is now with us - or at least it should be within the next couple of weeks! Apple’s big new update for 2020/21 was first unveiled at the COVID-19-enforced ‘virtual’ WWDC back in June, and it demonstrated a stack of neat new features, enhancements and a brand-new app.

Since it was first released as iPhone OS back in 2007, iOS has continued to grow, introducing bold new additions and becoming ever-more intuitive to use. Although Apple is never entirely first with certain features (iOS 14 finally has Home Screen widgets, for example, something Android has delivered for years), its cautious approach to introducing certain features means that they essentially arrive fully formed so as to genuinely benefit the way you use your iOS devices. It’s always been a steady evolution, which means you will never be left staring at your device in befuddlement after updating because iOS is so easy to use. Just get tactile with your device, tap here, press there and you soon pick up on the new stuff. But, of course, iCreate is always here to help. So if you really want to hit the ground running with iOS 14 and learn about all of the new features and how to use them to become an instant expert, then read on as we fill you in on all of the essential settings, demonstrate how to access and utilise the new features, and showcase all of the cool stuff you need to know.

Before you update

In a state of frenzied excitement, it is easy to rush into installing a new update on our devices. But before you do that, it is good practice to perform a couple of quick back ups, just in case anything goes wrong during the installation process and you need to restore your device. This is what we recommend doing…

1 Open Settings

Go to Settings>Apple ID>iCloud and then scroll down to ‘iCloud Backup’. Although iCloud Backup should already be turned on, tap on ‘Back Up Now’ to instantly save your data and settings.

2 Back up to Mac

It can’t hurt to make a secondary backup to your Mac, too. Connect your iOS device to your Mac, press cmd+N to open a new window and click on your device in the sidebar. Click ‘Back Up Now’.

3 Grab the update

Now, on your iOS device, go to Settings>General and tap on the ‘Software Update’ option. This will search for available updates. When iOS 14 is available, tap on ‘Download and Install’.