After months of anticipation, Apple will finally release its new iOS 11 today, designed to work with the iPhone, iPad and iPod.
Apple has previously listed some of the key features expected for the operating system, so there are few surprises.
But one major omission will be the Apple Pay Cash person-to-person money transfer system included in previous beta versions.
Here’s MailOnline’s ultimate guide to iOS 11, and how to get the update.
After months of anticipation, Apple will finally release its new iOS 11 today. One major omission will be the expected Apple Pay Cash person-to-person money transfer system. Pictured are what iOS 11 will look like on iPhones and iPads
Apple normally releases its iOS update at around 10am Pacific Time, which is 1pm Eastern Time or 6pm UK time.
It will be available for iPhone 5s and later, all iPad Air and iPad Pro models, iPad 5th generation, iPad mini 2 and later and iPod touch 6th generation.
The iPhone 5, iPhone 5c and iPad 4 will not be supported.
The software has also been designed to specifically support the new tenth anniversary iPhone X models, already on pre-order and expected for delivery in October.
Among the headline features will be a completely redesigned App Store, a more expressive voice for Siri, map updates, including a ‘Do not disturb while driving mode’, more emoji, shared Wi-fi and the ability to see what your friends are listening to in Music.
A new ‘Apple Pay Cash’ system was expected to be released with the update.
This would have allowed users to send money directly to each other using a number of easy and convenient methods.
In a blog post, a company spokesman said: ‘Apple Pay users will be able to send and receive money from friends and family quickly, easily and securely.
‘Pay and get paid right in Messages, or tell Siri to pay someone, using the credit and debit cards they have in Wallet.
‘When users get paid, they receive the money in their new Apple Pay Cash card in Apple Wallet and can use the money instantly.’
Apple has said the feature will now be released ‘in the fall.’
When IOS 11 is released today, you can tap Settings > General > Software Update and carry out the refresh from there.
Alternatively, you can connect the iPhone or iPad to a PC or Mac running iTunes and do the upgrade from there.
Following months of anticipation, Apple has finally unveiled the rumored iPhone Xalready on pre-order and expected for delivery in October. The $999 (£999) ‘anniversary’ device doesn’t have a home button and features a ‘notch’ at the top
Things can go wrong when updating, so it’s always a good precaution to run a system backup first to ensure you don’t lose any of your data.
You can either create a local backup using iTunes, or backup to iCloud by going to Settings > iCloud > Backup, and then turning on iCloud Backup.
You may also need your iCloud, iTunes and encrypted backup passwords to hand so it’s a good precaution to make sure you have these.
iOS 11 will also spell the end for 32 bit apps, with 62 bit now becoming standard.
You can check installed apps for compatibility using a built-in checker tool including in iOS 10.3 and later.
You can find that by clicking: Settings > General > About > Applications.
This will give you a list of all apps that won’t be supported in the upgraded version.
Some people may prefer to restore their device to factory settings as this can avoid some compatibility issues, but it is much more labour intensive to reinstall apps.
Others may wish to wait for users to install the update and report back on any bugs which will be patched in future updated versions of i0S 11.
iOS 11 was first revealed by Apple at its Worldwide Developer’s Conference (WWDC) back in June.
iOS 11 will only operate on 64-bit devices. Older models like the iPhone 5 (pictured) will no longer receive updates. It will also spell the end for 32 bit apps. You can check installed apps for compatibility using a built-in checker tool including in iOS 10.3 and later
Speaking at the time, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering Craig Federighi said: ‘We’re going to take the world’s best and most advanced mobile operating system and turn it up to 11.’
Here’s what to expect.
Control centre
The control centre design has been given an upgrade, and can now be seen on single page, with greater depth on a 3D slider.
Users will be able to use 3D Touch to access more controls.
The lock screen and notification centre will also be combined, so users can swipe between them, with widgets on the left, and camera on the right.
The control centre design has been given an upgrade, and can now be seen on single page, with greater depth on a 3D slider
You are still unable to directly to the Settings app from the control centre.
But force pressing or long pressing some of the widgets, including the wireless icon, will give you a popup with more options.
Files app
Apple is adding a new ‘Files’ app to iPhone and iPad in the iOS 11 update.
The app will allow users to access all their documents in one place, including those stored on the iCloud drive, or with third party storage providers, such as Dropbox.
The app now appears in the App Store.
Apple is adding a new ‘Files’ app to iPhone in the iOS 11 update. The app will allow users to access all their documents in one place, including those stored on the iCloud drive, or with third party storage providers, such as Dropbox
A description reads: ‘The Recents view displays all files you’ve been working on lately in high-resolution thumbnails.
‘Use the powerful Browse view to navigate folders, organise your files with pages, move files between folders, and search.’
Map updates, including a ‘do not disturb while driving mode’
Apple Maps will include floor plans of shopping malls and airports, so users can plan their expedition.
The navigation tool will also show lane guidance, and the upper speed limit while you are on the road.
In iOS 11, Apple is also launching a ‘Do Not Disturb While Driving’ feature that will automatically prevent notifications from popping up when it senses that you are in the car.
Do Not Disturb While Driving can detect when your phone is connected to a car using Bluetooth or a cable, or if the car is moving, and withhold any notifications that could distract you
The Do Not Disturb While Driving feature is optional for passengers in the car, who can choose to disable it if they would like
Do not disturb while driving can detect when your phone is connected to a car using Bluetooth or a cable, or if the car is moving, and withhold any notifications that could distract you.
This includes text messages, WhatsApp messages and news updates.
The iPhone screen will also lock to prevent drivers from accessing their apps while driving.
The feature is optional for passengers in the car, who can choose to disable it if they would like.
More emoji
iOS 11 will come with a raft of new emoji, from breastfeeding mothers to zombies, pixies, a T-rex and a vomiting smiley.
GM code has also revealed that the new operating system will come with 3D animated emoji, called ‘Animoji’, believed to be exclusively for the new iPhone X.
The animated emoji will use facial tracking as well as your voice to create expressive animated messages.
The iOS 11 GM code has revealed that the new operating will come with 3D animated emoji, called ‘Animoji ‘believed to be exclusively for the new iPhone X.
Camera updates
Apple is adding High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC video), offering more efficient compression.
Image quality is also being improved with better low light performance, optical image stabilisation, true tone flash and HDR.
The iOS 11 GM code confirms that video recording will come in Full HD and 4K.
As for Live Photos, in iOS 11, you will be able to trim them, as well as mark any part of the video as your key photo. With Live Photos users will also be able loop them, or view on long exposure
As for Live Photos, in iOS 11, you will be able to trim them, as well as mark any part of the video as your key photo.
With Live Photos users will also be able loop them, or view on long exposure.
The iOS 11 GM code also revealed that there will be an upgraded ‘Portrait Lighting’ mode – an enhancement of Portrait Mode on the iPhone 7 Plus which simulates depth.
Updates to Apple Music
In iOS 11, users will be able to find out what their friends are listening to from within the Music app.
But if you’re not so keen on people being able to see what you’re listening to then there’s good news, as you can choose whether your profile is public or private.
Apple has also made the Apple Music app smarter. In a preview for iOS 11, Apple wrote: ‘Apple Music learns your tastes, so you can ask Siri to play something you’d like’
Apple has also made the Apple Music app smarter.
In a preview for iOS 11, Apple wrote: ‘Apple Music learns your tastes, so you can ask Siri to play something you’d like.’
Messages app updates
The Messages app is also being given an update, with a redesign to the app’s draw, allowing easier access to stickers, GIFs and more.
iMessages in iCloud will automatically synchronise across devices, but remain end-to-end encrypted.
The Messages app is also being given an update, with a redesign to the app’s draw, allowing easier access to stickers, GIFs and more
Siri
Siri will be given a new American voice that is said to be more expressive, in both the male and female form, thanks to a new visual interface.
The smart assistant will also be able to quickly translate English into Chinese, French, German, Italian and Spanish, with more language options coming soon.
Siri will be given a new American voice that is said to be more expressive, in both the male and female form, thanks to a new visual interface
What Siri learns on one device will be synced across all devices in iOS 11, but this is still private thanks to end-to-end encryption, Apple says.
A Type to Siri feature within accessibility settings is much slower, and Siri maybe respond via voice without the appropriate setting activated, but this can allow the voice assistant to be turned to type only.
App store re-design
Apple will completely redesign the App Store in iOS 11.
A new tab, called ‘Today’ will show apps and stories about developers on a daily basis.
A ‘Games’ tab will show everything that is happening with games, and in-app purchases, such as new levels or upgrades.
Apps will also have its own tab, with dedicated features and charts for each app.
Apple will completely redesign the App Store in iOS 11. A new tab, called ‘Today’ will show apps and stories about developers on a daily basis. A ‘Games’ tab will show everything that is happening with games, and in-app purchases, such as new levels or upgrades
Shared Wi-Fi
The days of having to look for your Wi-Fi password to give a friend will be a thing of the past in iOS 11.
Apple is introducing a new shared Wi-Fi feature that lets users send their router’s password to another person’s handset.
Devices will need to be near each other and unlocked to connect.
ARKit is being introduced as part of iOS 11, letting users have augmented reality capabilities in apps, such as Pokemon Go
Augmented reality
ARKit is being introduced as part of iOS 11, letting users have augmented reality capabilities in apps, such as Pokemon Go.
Apple’s Augmented reality system uses the cameras on an iPhone to detect a flat surface, or ‘plane’ to put the virtual objects on, such as a table or floor.
With a combination of machine learning and the camera data, it can constantly adjust the image so the object appears secured to the correct surface without the ‘jitters’ or other AR systems.
ARKit also makes use of the camera sensor to estimate the total amount of light available in a scene and applies the correct amount of lighting to virtual objects.+
Games and apps will now offer fantastically immersive and fluid experiences that go far beyond the screen.
By taking advantage of the latest in AR technology, you can digitally redecorate your home, explore a city you’ve never visited, or even try on a new tattoo.
In practise, it’s hugely impressive, but wandering around the room ‘looking through’ your phone does take a bit of getting used to.
Augmented reality on the iPhone 8: Apple says dozens of apps will be available at launch. The feature will also work on the iPhone 6 and 7.
Ikea’s first AR app, called Ikea Place, lets you put any item, from sofas and lamps, to rugs and tables into your living room to see how they look.
It sounds like a gimmick, but in practice its astonishingly good.
The app lets you virtually ‘place’ home products that are 3-D and true to-scale so you can make sure they’re just the right size, design and functionality for your room,’ Ikea says.
A sofa placed into the room MailOnline’s reporter was sitting in appeared at the perfect size, on the floor just as it should be.
New wallpapers
9to5Mac revealed that the iOS 11 GM code has 16 new wallpapers – three exclusive to the upcoming iPhone.
Wallpapers include several renditions of the retro Apple six color logo, as well as six flower wallpapers, and three space wallpapers.
A new Dock
The new Dock is a major change for iPad.
It’s now available from any screen.
So with just a swipe, you can open and switch apps instantly.
There are a number of new changes in iOS 11 expressly for the iPad, including the new Dock and multitasking
And you can customise it with more of your favourites.
Apps you’ve opened recently and apps that are currently open on your iPhone or Mac appear in the right side of the Dock.
Multitasking
iOS 11 makes it easier and more intuitive than ever to multitask on iPad.
You can open a second app from the Dock and both apps remain active in Split View as well as Slide Over.
You can drag the second app in Slide Over to the left.
And you can get back to your favourite App Spaces in the redesigned App Switcher.