Updating Your iPad or iPhone

Normally the MINOR Updates to the iPad Operating System (know as iOS) are uneventful and help fix minor bugs in the software. From time to time, Apple will announce MAJOR Updates (typically whole number updates like iOS 11 or iOS 12).

DO NOT INSTALL MAJOR UPDATES AS SOON AS THEY COME OUT!

When to do MINOR Updates: these can normally be done at any time. However, it is critical to back up your iPad before running the update

When to do MAJOR Updates: these can cause MAJOR problems when done too early. The best practice for major updates is to do them after they have gone through several revisions (typically the second revision - i.e. version 11.2 or 12.2)

Performing iOS Updates (on the device)

          Note: these instructions also work for updating your iPhone

Apple Knowledge Base Article

Note: If you have any errors that state you do not have enough space to perform the update, follow the instructions below to update through iTunes. 

Performing iOS Updates (through iTunes)