Apple’s iOS 14 is the latest version of the operating system that powers the iPhone. It brings a lot of new features, improvements, and enhancements that make your iPhone more powerful, personal, and private. In this article, we will show you how to download iOS 14 on your iPhone, what are the benefits of updating, and how to fix some common problems and issues that you may encounter.
What is iOS 14 and Why Should You Update?
iOS 14 is the fourteenth major release of Apple’s mobile operating system that was announced in June 2020 and released in September 2020. It updates the core experience of the iPhone with redesigned widgets on the home screen, a new way to automatically organize apps with the app library, and a compact design for phone calls and Siri. It also introduces new features such as app clips, picture-in-picture, pinned conversations, cycling directions, app privacy cards, and more.
iOS 14 Features and Benefits
Some of the main features and benefits of iOS 14 are:
Widgets: You can add widgets of different sizes and types to your home screen pages to get timely information at a glance. You can also use a smart stack of widgets that automatically shows you the right widget based on time, location, and activity.
App Library: You can access the app library at the end of your home screen pages to see all your apps organized into categories such as social, productivity, entertainment, etc. You can also hide home screen pages for quicker access to the app library.
Compact Design: Incoming phone calls and FaceTime calls now appear as a small banner at the top of the screen instead of taking over the whole screen. Siri also has a new compact design that lets you see more of your content while using it.
App Clips: App clips are small parts of apps that you can discover and use when you need them. They load quickly and let you complete a specific task such as ordering food, renting a bike, or paying for parking. You can find app clips by scanning app clip codes, NFC tags, QR codes, or by tapping links in Safari or Messages.
Picture-in-Picture: You can now watch a video or take a FaceTime call while using another app. The video will appear in a small window that you can move around or resize. You can also swipe it off the screen and continue listening to the audio.
Pinned Conversations: You can pin up to nine conversations in Messages to keep them at the top of your list. You can also see recent messages, tapbacks, and typing indicators from pinned conversations on the home screen or lock screen.
Memoji: You can create more expressive memoji with new hairstyles, headwear, face coverings, and more. You can also use memoji stickers to convey your emotions in Messages.
Cycling Directions: Maps now offers cycling directions that take into account elevation, bike lanes, stairs, and busy roads. You can also see the distance, time, calories burned, and elevation for your route.
App Privacy Cards: You can see a summary of the privacy practices of apps before you download them from the App Store. You can also see what data an app collects and whether it is linked to you or used for tracking.
New Features in Safari, Music, and More: Safari has a new translation feature that lets you translate web pages into seven languages. Music has a new listen now tab that shows you personalized playlists and recommendations. You can also use picture-in-picture in Music to watch music videos while browsing the app. Other apps such as Photos, Camera, Health, Weather, and Notes also have new features and improvements.
iOS 14 Compatibility and Requirements
iOS 14 is compatible with the following iPhone models:
iPhone 12
iPhone 12 mini
iPhone 12 Pro
iPhone 12 Pro Max
iPhone 11
iPhone 11 Pro
iPhone 11 Pro Max
iPhone SE (2nd generation)
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 (1st generation)
iPod touch (7th generation)
To download iOS 14 on your iPhone, you need to have at least 50% battery life or connect your device to a power source. You also need to have a Wi-Fi connection and at least 5 GB of free storage space.
How to Download and Install iOS 14 on Your iPhone
You can download and install iOS 14 on your iPhone in two ways: wirelessly or using your computer. Here are the steps for each method:
Update Your iPhone Wirelessly
Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
You will see a message saying that iOS 14 is available. Tap Download and Install.
If you see a message asking to temporarily remove some apps because the software needs more space, tap Continue or Cancel. You can reinstall the removed apps later.
To start the update, tap Install. You can also tap Later and choose Install Tonight or Remind Me Later. If you choose Install Tonight, plug your device into a power source before you go to sleep. Your device will update automatically overnight.
If asked, enter your passcode.
Your device will restart and begin installing iOS 14. You will see a progress bar on the screen. Wait for the update to complete.
After the update is done, you will see a welcome screen. Follow the instructions to set up your device with iOS 14.
Update Your iPhone Using Your Computer
Make sure that you have the latest version of iTunes on your computer. You can download it from [iTunes] or update it from the App Store on your Mac.
Connect your device to your computer using a USB cable.
Open iTunes on your computer and select your device.
Click Summary and then click Check for Update.
You will see a message saying that iOS 14 is available. Click Download and Update.
If asked, enter your passcode.
Your device will restart and begin installing iOS 14. You will see a progress bar on the screen. Wait for the update to complete.
After the update is done, you will see a welcome screen. Follow the instructions to set up your device with iOS 14.
How to Fix Common iOS 14 Problems and Issues
Sometimes, updating your device to iOS 14 may cause some problems and issues such as battery drain, performance lag, app crashes, etc. Here are some tips on how to fix some of the common iOS 14 problems and issues:
Touch ID and Face ID Issues
If If you have trouble unlocking your device with Touch ID or Face ID, try these steps:
Make sure that your finger or face is clean and dry.
Make sure that the home button or the camera is not covered or obstructed by anything.
Make sure that you are holding your device in the right orientation and position.
Make sure that you have enabled Touch ID or Face ID in Settings > Touch ID & Passcode or Settings > Face ID & Passcode.
If none of the above works, you can try to delete and re-add your fingerprint or face in Settings > Touch ID & Passcode or Settings > Face ID & Passcode.
Widget Issues
If you have problems with widgets on your home screen, such as not loading, not updating, or not working properly, try these steps:
Make sure that you have a stable internet connection.
Make sure that you have allowed the widget to access your location, data, or other permissions if needed.
Make sure that you have updated the app that provides the widget to the latest version.
If none of the above works, you can try to remove and re-add the widget on your home screen. To do this, touch and hold the widget until it jiggles, then tap the minus sign to remove it. Then, tap the plus sign at the top left corner of the screen to add it back.
Text Delay Issues
If you experience delays in sending or receiving text messages, try these steps:
Make sure that you have a good cellular signal or a Wi-Fi connection.
Make sure that you have enabled iMessage and SMS/MMS in Settings > Messages.
Make sure that you have entered the correct phone number or email address of the recipient.
If none of the above works, you can try to restart your device or reset your network settings. To reset your network settings, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This will erase your Wi-Fi passwords and cellular settings, so make sure to back them up before doing this.
Google Authenticator Issues
If you use Google Authenticator to generate codes for two-factor authentication, you may encounter some issues after updating to iOS 14. Some users have reported that their codes are not working or syncing properly. To fix this, try these steps:
Make sure that the time and date on your device are correct and match the time and date on the service that you are trying to log in to.
Make sure that you have updated Google Authenticator to the latest version from the App Store.
If none of the above works, you can try to delete and re-add your accounts in Google Authenticator. To do this, open Google Authenticator and tap Edit at the top right corner of the screen. Then, tap the red minus sign next to each account and tap Remove. Then, tap the plus sign at the bottom right corner of the screen and scan the QR code or enter the key provided by the service that you are trying to log in to.
Text Message Notification Issues
If you don’t receive notifications for text messages on your lock screen or notification center, try these steps:
Make sure that you have enabled notifications for Messages in Settings > Notifications > Messages.
Make sure that you have selected the alert style, sound, badge, and preview options that you want for Messages notifications.
Make sure that you have not muted or blocked the sender of the text message.
If none of the above works, you can try to turn off and on notifications for Messages in Settings > Notifications > Messages. You can also try to restart your device or update your device to the latest version of iOS 14.
How to Enjoy iOS 14 on Your iPhone
Now that you have downloaded iOS 14 on your iPhone and fixed some common problems and issues, it’s time to enjoy all the new features and improvements that it offers. Here are some tips on how to make the most out of iOS 14 on your iPhone:
Customize Your Home Screen with Widgets and App Library
You can now customize your home screen with widgets of different sizes and types. You can also use a smart stack of widgets that automatically shows you the right widget based on time, location, and activity. To add widgets to your home screen, touch and hold an empty area until it jiggles, then tap the plus sign at the top left corner of the screen. You can choose from the widgets offered by Apple or by third-party apps that you have installed. You can also drag and drop widgets to rearrange them or create a smart stack.
You can also access the app library at the end of your home screen pages to see all your apps organized into categories such as social, productivity, entertainment, etc. You can also use the search bar at the top of the app library to find any app by name or by category. You can also hide home screen pages for quicker access to the app library. To do this, touch and hold an empty area until it jiggles, then tap the dots at the bottom of the screen. You can then uncheck the pages that you want to hide.
Use App Clips to Access Apps Quickly and Easily
App clips are small parts of apps that you can discover and use when you need them. They load quickly and let you complete a specific task such as ordering food, renting a bike, or paying for parking. You can find app clips by scanning app clip codes, NFC tags, QR codes, or by tapping links in Safari or Messages. You can also see your recently used app clips in the app library or in Settings > App Clips.
App clips are designed to be lightweight and fast, so they don’t take up much space on your device. However, if you want to download the full version of the app, you can do so by tapping the banner at the top of the app clip. You can also manage your app clip data and permissions in Settings > App Clips.
Enhance Your Messaging Experience with Pinned Conversations and Memoji
You can now pin up to nine conversations in Messages to keep them at the top of your list. You can also see recent messages, tapbacks, and typing indicators from pinned conversations on the home screen or lock screen. To pin a conversation, swipe right on it and tap the pin icon. To unpin a conversation, swipe right on it and tap the pin icon again.
You can also create more expressive memoji with new hairstyles, headwear, face coverings, and more. You can also use memoji stickers to convey your emotions in Messages. To create or edit a memoji, tap the memoji button in Messages and then tap the plus sign or the edit button. To use a memoji sticker, tap the memoji button in Messages and then swipe left or right to choose a sticker.
Explore New Features in Maps, Safari, Music, and More
Maps now offers cycling directions that take into account elevation, bike lanes, stairs, and busy roads. You can also see the distance, time, calories burned, and elevation for your route. To get cycling directions, tap the cycling icon at the top of Maps and enter your destination. You can also see bike-sharing locations and availability in some cities.
Safari has a new translation feature that lets you translate web pages into seven languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, French, German, Russian, and Brazilian Portuguese. To translate a web page, tap the aA icon at the left of the address bar and then tap Translate. You can also see a privacy report that shows you how Safari protects you from trackers on each website.
Music has a new listen now tab that shows you personalized playlists and recommendations based on your listening history and preferences. You can also use picture-in-picture in Music to watch music videos while browsing the app. To do this, tap the picture-in-picture icon at the top right corner of the video player.
Other apps such as Photos, Camera, Health, Weather, and Notes also have new features and improvements that you can explore and enjoy on your iPhone with iOS 14.
Conclusion
iOS 14 is a major update that brings a lot of new features and enhancements to your iPhone. It makes your iPhone more powerful, personal, and private. In this article, we have shown you how to download iOS 14 on your iPhone, what are the benefits of updating, and how to fix some common problems and issues. We have also given you some tips on how to enjoy iOS 14 on your iPhone with widgets, app clips, memoji, and more. We hope that this article has helped you to get the most out of iOS 14 on your iPhone.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about iOS 14 and their answers:
Q: How can I check if iOS 14 is available for my device?
A: You can check if iOS 14 is available for your device by going to Settings > General > Software Update. You will see a message saying that iOS 14 is available or that your software is up to date.
Q: How long does it take to download and install iOS 14 on my device?
A: The time it takes to download and install iOS 14 on your device depends on your internet speed, device model, and storage space. It may take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour or more.
Q: How can I free up storage space on my device before updating to iOS 14?
A: You can free up storage space on your device before updating to iOS 14 by deleting unwanted apps, photos, videos, music, messages, and other files. You can also use iCloud or iTunes to back up your data and then delete it from your device.
Q: How can I revert back to iOS 13 if I don’t like iOS 14?
A: You can revert back to iOS 13 if you don’t like iOS 14 by restoring your device from a backup that you made before updating to iOS 14. However, this will erase all the data and settings that you have on your device after updating to iOS 14. You can also use a third-party software tool to downgrade your device from iOS 14 to iOS 13, but this may void your warranty and cause some issues.
Q: How can I get help or support for iOS 14 if I have any questions or problems?
A: You can get help or support for iOS 14 if you have any questions or problems by visiting the [Apple Support] website or app. You can also contact Apple by phone, chat, email, or in person at an Apple Store or an authorized service provider.