iOS 9 install to help users delete apps and make space for update
The last update to the iPhone and iPad operating system prompted anger about how much had to be deleted to make way for it — but that should be easier this time
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Apple will make the installation of the next version of its iPhone and iPad operating system much easier, by providing a tool that will delete and then replace apps to make room.
Last time around, at the launch of iOS 8, many were upset by the huge amount of space that they had to clear for it — forcing them to delete apps and files that they might not be able to get back. But this time, Apple will offer a tool that will temporarily delete the apps, and then automatically replace them once the update is complete and the space is no longer need.
Apple is also planning to make the update process much more simple. When updating iOS 9, the device will download the files in the background so that users don’t have to wait, and will give new notification options that will allow people to automatically have the phone update when users are asleep or not using it.
The tool is alongside Apple’s effort to make the file needed to install iOS 9 much smaller. iOS 8 was 4.6GB — taking up a large amount of the space on phones, and potentially slowing them down — but its replacement will be only 1.3GB.
The company has built features like app thinning, which uses tricks to reduce the size of apps and files that are downloaded. Apple still sells a huge amount of 16GB phones, meaning that efforts to slim down apps by even a small amount can clear a large portion of the space on their hard drives.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments