Apple officially releases iOS 13 in just over an hour, and a host of new iPhone features are coming with it, including a system-wide Dark Mode, a Find My app, a revamped Photos app, updated privacy features, and street-level Maps, not to mention hundreds of smaller new changes and tweaks.

test iOS 13
This article covers some of the things you can do to prepare your ‌iPhone‌ for Apple's latest mobile operating system, including storage maintenance tips, backup advice, and a few other useful tidbits to consider before upgrading. First though, you'll need to make sure your ‌iPhone‌ is compatible with iOS 13.

iOS 13 Compatibility Check

If you own an ‌iPhone‌ 6s or later, your device will run the latest operating system. Still unsure? Here's Apple's official compatibility list for iOS 13.

  • ‌iPhone‌ 11
  • ‌iPhone‌ 11 Pro
  • iPhone 11 Pro Max
  • ‌iPhone‌ XS
  • ‌iPhone‌ XS Max
  • ‌iPhone‌ XR
  • ‌iPhone‌ X
  • ‌iPhone‌ 8
  • ‌iPhone‌ 8 Plus
  • ‌iPhone‌ 7
  • ‌iPhone‌ 7 Plus
  • ‌iPhone‌ 6s
  • ‌iPhone‌ 6s Plus
  • ‌iPhone‌ SE
  • iPod touch (7th generation)

Reclaim Device Storage Space

With the release of iOS 13, Apple is improving the way apps in the App Store are packaged together, and it says users can expect app downloads that are up to 50 percent smaller, resulting in less storage space taken up by apps. However, before you can benefit, you'll first want to make sure your device has adequate space to download and install the new operating system.

With that in mind, it's worth looking at what apps you currently have installed on your devices and whether you really need them. Swipe through your home screen and check inside your folders to root out any long-forgotten apps that are taking up precious storage space.

settings
You can delete apps by holding a finger on them and tapping the X that appears at the corner of their icon. Alternatively, go to Settings -> General -> iPhone Storage, tap any apps you don't use, and select Delete App. Be ruthless – you can always re-install removed apps at a later date if you change your mind.

Check on the size of any social media or messaging apps you have installed, such as Facebook and WhatsApp. These apps can often balloon in size after long periods of activity because of chat history, media caching and the like, so you might want to delete and reinstall them to start afresh.

Also, be sure to heed any personal recommendations on the ‌iPhone‌ Storage screen, like keeping high-resolution photos in iCloud and smaller-size versions on your device, or letting iOS automatically offload any apps you don't use often.

Create an Archived iTunes Backup

It's best practice to have an iTunes backup of your device stored on your computer in case something goes awry, or the worst happens and installation of iOS 13 fails. If you need to downgrade shortly after installing a new iOS update, making an archived iTunes backup beforehand is necessary.

An archived iTunes backup saves the current state of your iOS device and prevents it from being accidentally overwritten by subsequent backups. Here's how to do it on a Mac. (Note that if you're a Windows user, the iTunes procedure varies slightly and you will need to rename your iTunes backup folder or move it to another location to prevent it from being overwritten).

encryptedbackup

  1. Connect your ‌iPhone‌ to a Mac with the latest version of iTunes installed (click iTunes -> Check For Updates from the menu bar to make sure) and click on the device's icon in iTunes' interface.
  2. Under backups, select This computer, choose Encrypt iPhone backup and then set a password. An encrypted backup retains all your account passwords as well as your Health and HomeKit data, whereas a non-encrypted backup doesn't.
  3. Click Back Up Now and wait for the backup process to finish. It should take between 5 to 25 minutes to complete depending on how much data is stored on your device.

Archive the Backup

Screen Shot 1 5

  1. To archive the backup, select Preferences from the iTunes menu and click on the Devices tab. Right-click the new backup and choose the Archive option.
  2. After the archival process is complete, a backup is labeled with the date and the time that it was archived.

Archived backups can be viewed at any time in iTunes' Preferences section. You can also delete an archived backup from here – simply select the backup in question and click the Delete Backup button.

Installing iOS 13

When iOS 13 becomes available (likely around 10 AM PST/1 PM EST on the official release day, based on past releases) it will be delivered to your device either via iTunes when you plug it into your computer, or as an over-the-air update. Make sure your device is fully charged before you start the process over Wi-Fi, as it may take some time to complete.

Related Forum: iOS 13

Top Rated Comments

GadgetBen Avatar
76 months ago

Any thoughts/wisdom/opinions about installing iOS 13 vs. waiting for 13.1? I keep reading about bugs in 13.
Wait for 13.1 I’m on it now and it’s far better. So much so I’m going to update my Pro when it arrives tomorrow to the Beta.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
az431 Avatar
76 months ago

Any thoughts/wisdom/opinions about installing iOS 13 vs. waiting for 13.1? I keep reading about bugs in 13.
Every piece of software ever developed has bugs

The fact that even a dozen people rant about a bug on MR does not mean the bug is widespread (or that it is even a bug)

I've had zero issues with 13.0 or 13.1 aside from mail not always refreshing the unread email account
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
picaman Avatar
76 months ago
Any thoughts/wisdom/opinions about installing iOS 13 vs. waiting for 13.1? I keep reading about bugs in 13.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kagio Avatar
76 months ago

Any thoughts/wisdom/opinions about installing iOS 13 vs. waiting for 13.1? I keep reading about bugs in 13.
I researched and concluded i’ll wait for iOS 13.1; taking advantage of this atypical around the corner semi-major update (sept 30th)

iOS 13 does have several bugs.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Ronlap Avatar
76 months ago
Better to wait for iOS 13.1 at the end of the month since iOS 13 contains a vulnerability that could allow anyone to bypass the lockscreen protection on your iPhone and access sensitive information.

Jose Rodriguez ('https://twitter.com/VBarraquito'), a Spanish security researcher, contacted The Hacker News and revealed that he discovered a lockscreen bypass bug in iOS 13 that allowed him to access the full list of Contacts on his iPhone—and every piece of information saved on them.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bbrks Avatar
76 months ago

Any thoughts/wisdom/opinions about installing iOS 13 vs. waiting for 13.1? I keep reading about bugs in 13.
I see no reason why wouldnt you install IOS 13 and check how it works. IOS 13.1 final will come within next couple of weeks anyway. So.......
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iphone 16 pro models 1

Here's How the iPhone 17 Pro Max Will Compare to the iPhone 17 Pro

Saturday July 5, 2025 1:00 pm PDT by
Apple should unveil the iPhone 17 series in September, and there might be one bigger difference between the Pro and Pro Max models this year. As always, the Pro Max model will be larger than the Pro model:iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3-inch display iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9-inch displayGiven the Pro Max is physically larger than the Pro, it has more internal space, allowing for a larger battery and...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro to Reverse iPhone X Design Decision

Monday July 7, 2025 9:46 am PDT by
Since the iPhone X in 2017, all of Apple's highest-end iPhone models have featured either stainless steel or titanium frames, but it has now been rumored that this design decision will be coming to an end with the iPhone 17 Pro models later this year. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo today, the account Instant Digital said that the iPhone 17 Pro models will have an aluminum...
imac video apple feature

Apple Launching These 15+ Products Later This Year

Sunday July 6, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
The calendar has turned to July, meaning that 2025 is now more than half over. And while the summer months are often quiet for Apple, the company still has more than a dozen products coming later this year, according to rumors. Below, we have outlined at least 15 new Apple products that are expected to launch later this year, along with key rumored features for each. iPhone 17 Series iPho...
iOS 26 Feature

Everything New in iOS 26 Beta 3

Monday July 7, 2025 1:20 pm PDT by
Apple is continuing to refine and update iOS 26, and beta three features smaller changes than we saw in beta 2, plus further tweaks to the Liquid Glass design. Apple is gearing up for the next phase of beta testing, and the company has promised that a public beta is set to come out in July. Transparency In some apps like Apple Music, Podcasts, and the App Store, Apple has toned down the...
iPhone Car Key Kia

Here's Which Vehicles Offer iPhone Car Keys

Sunday July 6, 2025 3:03 pm PDT by
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further. Apple has a web page with a list of vehicle models that ...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Friday July 4, 2025 1:05 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are just over two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:Apple logo repositioned: Apple's logo may have a lower position on the back of the iPhone 17 Pro models, compared to previous...
iphone 17 pro render majin bu

New iPhone 17 Pro Renders Highlight Apple Logo and MagSafe Design Changes

Sunday July 6, 2025 8:43 pm PDT by
New renders today provide the best look yet relocated Apple logo and redesigned MagSafe magnet array of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Image via Majin Bu. Several of the design changes coming to the iPhone 17 Pro model have been rumored for some time, such as the elongated camera bump that spans the full width of the device, with the LiDAR Scanner and flash moving to the right side. ...
iPhone 14 Pro Dynamic Island

iPhone 17 Models Rumored to Feature Redesigned Dynamic Island

Monday July 7, 2025 7:38 am PDT by
iPhone 17 models will feature a redesigned Dynamic Island user interface, according to a post today from Digital Chat Station, an account with more than three million followers on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The account has accurately leaked some information regarding future Apple products in the past. The account did not share any specific details about the alleged changes that are ...
Prime Day 25 Feature Warm Triad

The Best Prime Day Deals on AirPods, iPads, MacBooks, and More

Monday July 7, 2025 10:55 am PDT by
Amazon is back with its annual summertime Prime Day event, lasting for four days from July 8-11, the longest Prime Day yet. As it does every year, Prime Day offers shoppers a huge selection of deals across Amazon's storefront. With the event now underway, we're tracking numerous all-time low prices on Apple gear right now. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a...