The iOS 17.4 features list is a gift that keeps on giving, but as is the case with any significant update, there are a couple of boxes you’ll want to tick first to make sure your iPhone is up to the task. With notable drops including new emojis, iMessage Quantum Security, and battery health data for iPhone 15 users, iOS 17.4 is definitely an upgrade worth considering if you haven’t moved onto the latest iOS in a while. So, in this article, we’ll be running you through how to get your iPhone ready for iOS 17.4 update before the public beta gets its full release date at the beginning of March.
Step-by-step to get your iPhone ready for iOS 17.4 update
Step
Check if your iPhone is iOS 17.4 compatible
Firstly, you’ll want to make sure your iPhone is compatible with the iOS 17.4 update; if you’ve already got iOS 17, you shouldn’t have problems. However, if you’re unsure, here’s a full list of the iPhone models that will be able to get iOS 17.4:
- iPhone 15 | iPhone 15 Plus | iPhone 15 Pro | iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 14 | iPhone 14 Plus | iPhone 14 Pro | iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 | iPhone 13 mini | iPhone 13 Pro | iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 | iPhone 12 mini | iPhone 12 Pro | iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11 | iPhone 11 Pro | iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone XS | iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone SE (2nd gen or later)
Step
Update all of your existing apps
It’s sometimes the case that un-updated apps and new iOS software don’t quite agree, resulting in issues and glitching. So, before you install iOS 17.4 after it comes out it’s a good idea to update any pre-existing apps that you haven’t used in a while to make sure it’s all smooth sailing post-installation.
Step
Free up at least 3GB of storage space
It’s not new that iOS updates can sometimes take up a good few gigabytes of storage, so it’s definitely worth freeing up at least two or three gigabytes to speed up the updating process. While iOS can delete apps to clear enough space to download the update and reinstall them after, this adds a lot of time onto the procedure. What’s more, when your iPhone storage is maxed 0ut or nearly full, it can cause a poor and lagging performance, and won’t let you perform actions such as take photos or download emails.
Step
Make a backup of your iPhone data
It’s always good to have a backup of your phone’s data in the case that any important messages, photos, or notes are somehow lost and unrecoverable, and before an update is the perfect time to do this if you haven’t already. While you can make a full backup on the Cloud, it can be good to have a physical copy on your laptop, Mac, or PC just in case too.
Don’t forget your iCloud password!
In order to get all your data, apps, and photos back on your iPhone post-update you’re going to need to enter your iCloud password. So, it’s essential to make sure you don’t forget it! It also won’t work to have the password written down on the phone you’re updating, so you might want to make a physical copy to have to hand.
Step
Make sure you’re all charged up and connected to the internet
Firstly, your phone dying on you in the middle of an update is less than ideal. So, while you can update your phone with a minimum of 50% battery left, it’s best to put your phone on a charger just in case so no battery problems are encountered. Secondly, the more secure and established your internet connection, the faster the iOS 17.4 update will download.
What should I do before updating to iOS 17.4?
Before updating to iOS 17.4 after its full release date, we recommend that you follow the steps above to make sure your iPhone is prepped and ready with enough storage space, up-to-date apps, and of course, enough battery life to ensure a successful download and installation of the new iOS.
Final thoughts
So, there you have it – a step-by-step list of how to get your iPhone fully ready for the iOS 17.4 update that’s all set to be one of the most ambitious updates from Apple. If you’re not invested in the Apple side of things, we’ve also been covering all things Android 15 as we look ahead to what the next iteration of Google’s Android operating software has in store for us.
