Apple has pushed out the iOS 8.1.3 software update for its iPhones, iPads and iPod Touch. The over-the-air (OTA) update brings a slew of bug fixes and performance enhancements.
Like iOS 8.1.2, the iOS 8.1.3 rollout is a minor update and was not seeded to developers prior to its public release. Apple pushed out the software update on Tuesday, Jan. 27, which is now available for download for compatible devices running iOS 8 or upwards.
The update takes up 246MB, which will come as a relief to most users since it reduces the amount of storage space required for the update. Previous iOS 8 updates have required several GBs of free space for installation. iOS 8, for instance, needed 4.7GB, which was a deterrent for low-capacity iOS devices. This factor has also affected the adoption of iOS 8 compared to other software updates to the Apple platform.
Apart from decreasing the required storage space for the update, iOS 8.1.3 also brings new configuration options to users for education standardized testing. It also addresses the problems that users faced with Apple ID logins, bugs in the search results of Spotlight, issues with iMessage and FaceTime, as well as problems with multitasking on the iPad.
However, iOS 8.1.3 does not address the GMT bug that caused the appointments created by a user on an iOS device in a particular time zone to reflect an incorrect time zone, owing to server syncing errors.
Before you download the update, keep in mind the compatible devices running iOS 8, which are:
1. iPhone: iPhone 4s, iPhone 5, iPhone 5C, iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6.
2. iPad: iPad mini, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, iPad 2, iPad 3, iPad 4, iPad Air and iPad Air 2.
3. iPod Touch (fifth generation)
Before you download the iOS 8.1.3 software update, remember to:
1. Check your device for compatibility.
2. Ensure you have the requisite free space on your iDevice.
3. Ensure you have more than 50 percent battery charge on your device.
4. Back up any important data as a precaution.
To download the iOS 8.1.3 OTA update, navigate to Settings > General > Software Update then download the same if available.
