Learn how to download iOS 16 on your iPhone, install the watchOS 9 software on your Apple Watch and update your Apple TV HD or Apple TV 4K to tvOS 16.
New software updates are avaialble for your Apple devices
Apple on September 12, 20,22 released the iOS 16 software update for iPhone with a major lock screen redesign and other new features, as well as the watchOS 9 update for the Apple Watch and tvOS 16 for its Apple TV media-streaming box.
iOS 16 brings a redesigned lock screen, the ability to edit and collaborate in Messages, Maps multistop routing, undo send in Mail, and more.
Some features will arrive in later updates, including iCloud Shared Photo Library, Live Activities, support for the Matter smart home connectivity standard and more.
How to install iOS 16 on iPhone
Use Apple’s Software Update mechanism in the Settings app on your iPhone to download and install an over-the-air iOS 16 update without losing any data.
- Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Select “General” from the root list.
- Choose “Software Update.”
- Hit “Upgrade to iOS 16.”
- Now choose “Download and Install.”
Your iPhone must be plugged into power and connected to the internet via WI-Fi for the update to install. At the end of the process, the phone will run iOS 16.0.
This is a major iOS update so it may be a good idea to back up your iPhone using iCloud or a computer, just in case something goes terribly wrong.
Apple maintains a webpage titled iOS Feature Availability which provides a handy list of which iPhone features are available in what regions or languages.
You can also peruse a press release in the Apple Newsroom for a laundry list of the biggest features and under-the-hood changes in the operating system.
Apple provides full changelogs for iOS 16.0 and all subsequent iOS 16 updates in a support document titled “About iOS 6 updates.”
For more information about iOS 16, visit apple.com/ios/ios-16.
How to install watchOS 9 on Apple Watch
You must use the companion Watch app on an iPhone with iOS 16.0 or later to download and install the watchOS 9 update on your compatible Apple Watch.
- Open the companion Watch app on your paired iPhone with iOS 16.0 or later.
- Select the “My Watch” tab.
- Choose “General” from the root list.
- Select “Software Update.”
- Select “Install” next to the iOS 16 update.
You may need to enter your iPhone passcode or Apple Watch passcode to proceed.
Your Apple Watch must be connected to its charger and have at least 50 percent battery. Don’t forget to connect your iPhone to Wi-Fi and keep it close to the watch so they’re in Bluetooth range. watchOS updates can be slow as hell, but cutting off Bluetooth at the right time will dramatically speed up watchOS updates.
Upgrading to watchOS 9 requires iPhone 8 or later running iOS 16 or later. Official release notes for watchOS 9.0 (and any subsequent updates) is provided in Apple’s support document titled “About watchOS 9 updates.”
For more information about watchOS 9, visit apple.com/watchos/watchos-9.
How to install tvOS 16 on Apple TV
To update your Apple TV HD or Apple TV 4K to the tvOS 16 software, use Apple’s standard Software Update feature in the Settings app on your device.
- Open Settings on your Apple TV HD or Apple TV 4K.
- Choose “System” from the root list.
- Choose “Software Update.”
- Select “Update Software.”
- Lastly, choose “Download and Install” when prompted.
Your Apple TV may restart several times when installing the update. When the tvOS 16 update is complete, your Apple TV will automatically restart again.
For the full list of changes, fixes and new features in this update, read Apple’s support document titled “About Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD software updates.”
Can my devices run Apple’s latest updates?
The system requirements for iOS 16 are tightened up: iOS 16 is available for iPhone 8 and later and the second-generation iPhone SE and newer. The update requires Apple’s A11 Bionic chip or later, which excludes older devices like iPhone 6s or the first iPhone SE, released in 2016, which support iOS 15, iOS 14 and iOS 13.
No iPod touch models are supported by iOS 16.
The device compatibility list for watchOS 9 has some changes, too. Compared to its predecessor, watchOS 9 cuts off support for Series 3 and older watches. In other words, you’ll need at least Apple Watch Series 4 or later to run watchOS 9.
tvOS 16 supports both Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K, just like tvOS 15 and earlier tvOS releases. If your Apple TV already runs tvOS 15, you can update it to the new tvOS 16 software. Read: iOS 16 settings to change to boost your iPhone experience