What time will iOS 15 be released in the UK? Here’s how to download it

iOS 15 is available to download for free, so here’s a full breakdown of the new iPhone software and what Apple handsets are compatible.

By Jason Murdock

Published: Monday, 20 September 2021 at 12:00 am

Apple’s next big software update, iOS 15, is releasing today, 20th September – here’s how you can download it and access the new iPhone features.

The launch date of the software update was confirmed on 14th September during an Apple event that was used to showcase the iPhone 13 family, Apple Watch Series 7 and two new tablets, the iPad Mini (6th generation) and iPad (9th generation).

It will debut new FaceTime capabilities, changes to how notifications are displayed and add new features into apps including Maps, Safari, Health and more.

Alongside iOS 15, Apple is simultaneously releasing iPadOS 15, watchOS 8, and tvOS 15 – upgrades that were unveiled during its WWDC event in June.

During its busy September event, Apple confirmed the iPhone 13 features, specs and colours, as well as the iPad Mini 6 release date. But the Apple Watch 7 release date was left a mystery, with only autumn being given as a rough window.

The iPhone 13 pre-orders went live on 19th September, and there were some great iPhone 13 deals on offer. The four new handsets will go on sale on Friday, 24th September, so buyer’s don’t have long to wait. The iPhone 13s come with iOS 15 pre-installed, but any prior models, like the iPhone 12, will need an update.

So here’s a breakdown of how to access the iOS 15 software update, what new features you can expect on your iPhone and the full range of compatible devices.

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Apple iOS 15 release date and time

Apple said iOS 15 would be available as a free software update starting on Monday, 20th September – but did not reveal the specific time it would go live.

Based on earlier iOS releases, it’s expected that the download will become available in the UK at around 6 p.m. As reported by MacRumors, Apple frequently pushes out new software around 10 a.m. Pacific Time, so that gives the rough time of release.

Apple iOS 15 download: top new features

iOS 15 will debut SharePlay – which lets you stream movies and TV shows, listen to music or share your iPhone’s screen while on a FaceTime call – alongside a “Focus” mode that lets you minimise distractions by limiting app notifications and letting you set a status, so your contacts are informed in real-time if you are set to busy.

FaceTime calls will now have spatial audio, which makes voices sound like they are actually coming from the direction the person is on the screen. In theory, this makes video calls more like a natural conversation as it’s more like talking in person.

How notifications are shown on the iPhone has been given an overhaul. Photos of the sender will now appear, and app icons have been made larger, while users now have the ability to get a collection of notifications delivered as a single package at their chosen time of day. There are also better options for muting and silencing.

In iOS 15, the Maps app has more detail than ever – showing 3D landmarks and more detail about road traffic, markings and augmented reality walking routes – while Safari has a new bottom bar to make it easier to scroll between open tabs, the ability to let you surf the web using voice commands and a customisable start page.

Live Text has been enhanced in the update, letting you extract words from images on the web or being viewed via the Camera app, and it can now translate into seven languages: English, Chinese, French, Italian, German, Portuguese and Spanish.

You can see the full list of new iOS 15 features on the official Apple website.

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What time will iOS 15 be released in the UK? Here’s how to download it

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