Apple Releases iOS 10 With Redesigned Lock Screen, New Messages Features, Third-Party Siri, and More

Apple today released iOS 10, the latest operating system designed for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch, to the public. iOS 10 can be downloaded the iPhone 5 and later, the iPad mini 2 and later, the iPad 4 and later, and the 6th generation iPod touch.

The update is available on all eligible devices through iTunes or over-the-air in the Settings app. To access the update, go to Settings --> General --> Software update. As with all major software releases, it may take a few minutes for the update to propagate due to high user demand.

According to Apple, iOS 10 is the "biggest release ever" for iOS devices, with major updates for Messages, Siri, Photos, Maps, Apple Music, Apple Pay, and the iOS interface.


iOS 10 features a redesigned Lock screen experience with 3D Touch-enabled notifications, a more easily accessible camera, and a widgets screen. A revamped Control Center also offers 3D Touch support along with new controls for music and HomeKit devices. Raise to Wake, a new feature for the latest devices, wakes up the iPhone without bypassing notifications.

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Messages has been entirely overhauled with new features like background animations, bubble effects, rich links, and Digital Touch, and there's even a full Messages App Store that can add almost unlimited capabilities to messages, from sending stickers and GIFs to making payments or placing collaborative dinner orders.

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A new Siri SDK lets developers build support into their apps, and a dedicated "Home" app gives users a central place to control HomeKit devices. Photos features impressive facial and object recognition capabilities, and a new Memories feature allows you to discover forgotten memories.

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Maps and Apple Music have both been redesigned with cleaner, simpler interfaces, with Maps gaining proactive suggestions and integrated third-party apps and Music gaining better content discovery features and a new focus on lyrics.

There's a new feature that lets stock iOS apps be hidden from sight, and the QuickType keyboard is smarter with new contextual predictions, including emoji predictions. Apple Pay is available on the web starting today, and Game Center has been largely eliminated.

For full details on the new features included in iOS 10, make sure to check out our complete iOS 10 roundup.

Update: Some users are reporting that iOS 10 has bricked their devices, so it may be wise to make a back up before upgrading or hold off on downloading the update for now.

Related Forum: iOS 10

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Top Rated Comments

newtestleper Avatar
123 months ago
When will iOS 11 be released?
Score: 52 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Prabas Avatar
123 months ago
Those on GM - this is the same release, you don't have to do anything.

Anyway, it's out!

Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ck2875 Avatar
123 months ago
Goodbye, ye olde Slide to Unlock. You've had a good run.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
aesc80 Avatar
123 months ago
NOTES
What's happening?
The OTA update version might be corrupt. The update will download completely, verify prior to install, go into the Apple update screen, then crash into the "Plug into iTunes" screen. The update bar went as far as about 75% - 80%.

Who is affected?
So far, only iPad Pros, iPhone 6S / S+ and iPhone SEs have complained of corrupt installs. All of those who have complained used OTA updates, so it may affect more.

What do I do?
1.) DO NOT USE OTA UPDATES - it's the most common culprit in the bunch. Avoid it like the plague.
2.) IF YOU ARE UPDATING, USE USB + iTUNES. Those who have been successful have used the iTunes download. Slower, but working.
3.) IF YOU ARE BRICKED - Plug into iTunes and use "Update" to clear out your problem. You don't need to do a full restore, thankfully. I've done a simple update and everything worked swimmingly.
4.) IF AN UPDATE FAILED - Plug into iTunes and use "Restore". This will clear out your iDevice completely. If you have a backup for your device, you can restore your previous state from iTunes after the restore is complete.

Should be common knowledge to all Apple i users anyhow. :p
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
RevTEG Avatar
123 months ago
Proof the iPad Pro is NOT a full laptop replacement?

My 12.9 iPad Pro is now bricked after downloading iOS10 OTA.

How do I now "connect to iTunes" if my iPad replaced my laptop?
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AppleFan91 Avatar
123 months ago
I'm going to wait a few days before upgrading and let everyone else find all the bugs and problems with it as per all the previous iOS upgrades. They'll probably rush out 10.0.1 by the weekend.


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Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)