iOS 11 release date TODAY - Top new features and how to make sure your iPhone is ready

APPLE’S iOS 11 will be pushed out to iPhone and iPad users later today and here’s how to make sure your device is ready to accept this blockbuster update.

By David Snelling, Technology Editor

Apple gives live demonstration of iOS 11

update back in June at its yearly WWDC developers conference.

Now, after months of waiting, this major update is being pushed out to devices across the globe.

iOS 11 brings a number of new features to the iPhone with updates to Apple Maps, Photos, Siri and Apple Pay.

But perhaps the biggest change is coming to the iPad which now gets a dock to store all your favourite apps and features improved multitasking.

So, if you want to grab this download here’s how to make sure your device is ready.

WHEN WILL iOS 11 LAUNCH?

has announced that iOS 11 will be available from tonight.

If previous years are anything to go by, the update should go live at around 6pm BST - although Apple never confirms an exact release time.

It's also worth noting that it can take longer to download the update on launch day as millions of fans attempt to install it on their devices at the same time.

HOW DO I UPGRADE?

Once the update is available you should see an alert appearing in the settings menu.

You can also check for the update by tapping Settings > General > Software Update.

If iOS 11 is available on your device you should then see an upgrade option.

HOW TO GET YOUR DEVICE READY

Before you update you should make sure your iPhone/iPad is fully charged or you are near a plug.

It’s also worth checking you have some free storage available on your device as this is often needed before an installation can take place.

It’s unclear how big iOS 11 will be but emptying some memory before Tuesday will save any frustration on the day.

Finally, Apple always advises backing up your iPhone or iPad before installing any new updates.

You can either backup to the iCloud or plug your iPhone into your PC to make sure any important data is stored and saved.

Apple iOS 11 release dateAPPLE

iOS 11 brings a number of new features to the iPad

WILL MY iPHONE/iPAD BE COMPATIBLE?

It’s worth noting that this latest operating system isn’t compatible with all iPhone and iPad models and if you own an older device, such as the iPhone 5c, you’ll have to stick with iOS 10.

Here's a full list of compatible products:

iPHONE - iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 5s

iPAD - iPad 12.9‑inch iPad Pro, 10.5‑inch iPad Pro, 9.7‑inch iPad Pro, iPad Air 2, iPad Air, iPad 5th generation , iPad mini 4, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 2

Apple iOS 11 release date revealedAPPLE

Apple iOS 11 release date revealedAPPLE

Apple iPad owners will get a huge set off new features

WHAT’S NEW IN iOS 11?

• Customise Control Center 

Go to Settings —> Control Center to customise your iPhone or iPad for your preferences. Remove, add or rearrange priority items like your calculator and alarm for easy access.

• Multitasking 

Drag an app out of the dock and use Slide Over or Split View to accomplish two things at once - like scrolling through the News app, while also typing a note in Messages. 

• Document Scanner

Scan single or multiple-page documents with the new document scanner, which automatically finds the edges of your page from any angle and centers your document for the perfect crop. Add annotations to your document using Markup with Apple Pencil on iPad Pro, making it super easy to sign and return forms without having to print them out.

• Drag and Drop

With drag and drop on iPad, use the power of Multi-Touch to quickly and easily move text, images, and files between apps and select multiple items with just a few taps. Soon, you may notice many of your favorite apps add this capability too!

• Files app

With the all-new Files app there’s one central location to browse, search, and organise files that are stored on your iPad, in iCloud Drive, and even on other cloud services. 

• Instant Notes on iPad

Need to jot something down quickly? Simply tap Apple Pencil on iPad Pro and open Notes instantly from the Lock Screen. Use the search tool to easily navigate your handwritten text, when you need to find specific notes. 

• Do Not Disturb while driving

Eliminate all distractions while driving by automatically blocking notifications with the Do Not Disturb while driving feature. 

Apple iOS 11 release dateAPPLE

Apple's iOS 11 will be available on Tuesday

Apple iOS 11 release date APPLE

Apple iOS 11 release date is coming this Tuesday

• Indoor Maps

Navigate your way through major malls and airports with ease using Apple Maps’ detailed indoor maps feature.

• Siri 

Siri is the world’s most popular intelligent assistant, helping you get more done throughout your day. With iOS 11, Siri has a new, more natural voice, can translate US English into Mandarin, French, German, Italian or Spanish, and offers more proactive suggestions based on personal usage.

• Redesigned App Store

The App Store is redesigned to make discovering apps and games easier than ever before. The Today tab offers in-depth features and interviews curated by the App Store’s global team of editors to share the stories behind the apps and games that change the way we live and the developers whose ideas push and shape the world as we know it.

• Do more with Photos

Effects like Bounce, Loop and Long Exposure offer more options for editing Live Photos and capturing all of those special moments. Memories is enhanced with more memory types, better curation, and new portrait-oriented Memory Movies. People is easier to use, more accurate, and syncs across your devices via iCloud Photo Library.

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