You can now download iOS 8 — here's how

Apple’s latest mobile OS release, iOS 8, has arrived. Now, how do you get it on your phone?

Although Apple often excels at creating elegant, simple user interfaces, the company’s iOS update process can be a bit confusing. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to help smooth things over.

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1. Back up your device using iCloud or a third-party service.
2. Make sure your device is compatible with iOS 8. You’ll need an iPhone 4S or later, an iPad 2 or later, or, if you’ve got an iPod Touch, a 5th generation or later model. Check the specifics at the bottom of Apple’s page on what’s new in iOS 8.
3. Clear some free space — you’ll need a few gigs (about 4.6GB) for the update to work.
4. Download it over the air. On your iPhone, go to: Settings > General and click Software Update. You’ll find a download link there. You can also use iTunes.
5. Prepare for delays. As mobs of iOS users all rush to download the iOS 8 update at once, expect major delays. This happened last year, too.
6. Or, just buy a new iPhone: If you’re already planning to get the new iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus, you may want to just wait for the device to come out on Friday.

Want more? Read our full iOS 8 review to find out everything you need to know about the major update.