Not every iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Mac will be able to be updated to the latest version of the applicable operating system. Here is the list of compatible devices:

If you are curious to find out the year your Mac was made, you can enter your device's serial number on this Apple page:
https://selfsolve.apple.com/agreementWarrantyDynamic.do

If you don't know how to work out the serial number, here is an Apple Support page that tells you where to find it:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1349

For iPads and iPhones, here are another couple of pages that help identify the model of your device

• identify iPad model
• identify iPhone model​

While these new operating systems will be available for free shortly after the announcements on Sept 13, I would recommend 'holding fire' on downloading and installing these upgrades - for a few weeks at least.

The first release of an operating system upgrade will often be a bit 'buggy', so it is best to let others discover those problems and wait for fixes to be released.

Needless to say, iTandCoffee will download and install the upgrades as soon as they are released, and will let you know via the fortnightly newsletter when 'the coast is clear' to download and install. 

I have had lots of questions over the past fortnight about whether it is a good idea to update to iOS 10 on the iPad and iPhone, and to MacOS Sierra on the Mac.

While it is still early days for MacOS Sierra, iOS 10 has now been out for nearly 2 months.

Let's deal with iOS 10 first.

It didn't feature much in the press, but an upgraded operating system for our Macs will also be released in September - and will hail a major change to the naming convention for the Mac's operating system.

OS X has been the name for the Operating System for Mac for many many years, with a version number and name further identifying each upgrade of OS X.  

On September 20th, Apple will release MacOS Sierra to replace OS X El Capitan, and its features will include

• Siri will finally come to Mac
• Your Apple Watch can unlock your Mac automatically
• iCloud Drive improvements, including the ability to sync your Desktop and Documents folders
• A new feature called Optimise Storage that can free up space on the hard drive
• A new feature called Universal Clipboard, which allows you to copy and paste between devices!
• and more

Here is an article from Macworld with more information about this upcoming upgrade:

• Apple quietly announces macOS Sierra's release date                                                                

As usual, iTandCoffee recommends that, unless you are super-keen the grab the 'latest and greatest', it is best to hold off for at least a couple of weeks (or perhaps longer) before downloading and installing the upgrade.  

Quite often, the initial versions of an upgrade have teething problem - and you may prefer to allow other people to discover these problems and wait until Apple has released its subsequent 'update' release (or releases).

The fortnightly iTandCoffee newsletter will keep you updated on news of the stability (or otherwise) of the MacOS Sierra, and will provide a recommendation on when it is safe to go ahead and upgrade.​

If you have a Windows computer and have been resisting the upgrade to Windows 10, it may be time to think about jumping in and getting this upgrade done.

​You only have until July 30th to grab this upgrade for free.  From July 30th, it will cost you at least $179.  I read in The Age today that Microsoft will then be releasing an anniversary upgrade to Windows 10 with many new features. 

But before you do consider upgrading, have a read of this article from The Age. 

It provides details of what computers can cope with the upgrade, because not all can.  It suggests that, for some people who have older computers, it may be best to leave your old computer alone, and wait until upgrade to a new computer.  

My own experience with many clients who have upgraded is that older printers and devices have stopped working after the upgrade. This has sometimes just required the download of a new 'driver' or other software.  But, in some cases, the device was just not supported by Windows 10, making the 'free' upgrade a bit of a 'false economy'.

(If you have an older computer and are considering moving to something newer, make sure you consider whether you really need a computer!  For most people, an iPad or other tablet may very well meet your needs.  Make sure the check out these options.)

Well, it's iOS upgrade time again.  The latest version of iOS - iOS 9 - is now available for download and installation.  

If you missed last week's article that outlined the content of iOS 9, here is the link.

• iOS 9 is coming on Sept 17th
  

I wouldn't suggest everyone rush in and download immediately - perhaps let iOS 9 settle in for a week or so, to see if any major issues are reported.  I will include an update on how it has been received in next week's newsletter.

Before you even think about upgrading - or migrating to a brand new device - you need to be sure that you have a backup of your iPad and/or iPhone.  

While problems don't happen often, upgrades (and updates) can occasionally fail.  If this occurs, you will want to be sure to have a backup from which you can restore your device. before re-attempting the upgrade/update.

You have two options - 

• backup to iCloud, 
• or backup to iTunes 

Backing up to iTunes

Of course, to back up to iTunes, you need a computer running iTunes, a version that is compatible with your i-Device's iOS version.

An iTunes backup is a much more comprehensive backup than an iCloud backup.  It includes the full contents of your device, including the apps.  Additionally, it does not require use of the internet - no upload/download data is used by this form of backup.  If you have a computer, it is well worth doing an iTunes backup every now and then, even if you already backup to iCloud.

Another important different with an iTunes backup is that, when you specify that you want to encrypt your iTunes backup, that backup will include any passwords used by your device, and will ensure these are restored to your device when you restore from the backup.  

An un-encrypted iTunes backup will not store passwords, so you will need to re-do these when your device is re-instated.  Sometimes, this can cause quite a bit of grief - trying to remember all those key passwords.

Backing up to iCloud

An iCloud backup only backs up those things that are not already available for re-downloading from iCloud/iTunes and requires (of course) use of the internet to re-instate your device.  And an iCloud backup will not back up passwords.  Restoring from an iCloud backup requires an internet connection and, depending on how much data is stored on your device, may use up a significant amount of your monthly data allowance.

Need help with backups or upgrades?

The whole area of backups and upgrades can get quite overwhelming for many.  If you need help with either of these, please don't hesitate to contact iTandCoffee on 1300 885 420 or email enquiry@itandcoffee.com.au

Below are some past articles and handy hints on the topic or backups and iCloud, for those who feel like doing some further reading.

Here also is a good article from MacWorld on this topic.

Some of the below articles/hints require membership of the iTandCoffee Club.  Not yet a member of the iTandCoffee Club?  

Why not join today to view a vast number of handy hints like this, and to have access to other great 'members only' offers and products - including free sessions at iTandCoffee in Glen Iris.

• Do I have to back up both my iPad and iPhone?  Can I do this by just plugging into my computer?
  
• How do I completely wipe my old iPhone or iPad before giving it to one of my kids?
  
• What to do when your iCloud is full
  
• When your photos are clogging up your iPhone or iPad
  
• How can I reset or change my Apple ID's password?
  
• How do I stop the kids games from appearing on my iPad and iPhone?
  
• Is iCloud Safe?
  
• iCloud now allows you to recover lost data and documents
  
• When your iCloud gets crowded! The problem with sharing your iCloud ...Are your old iTunes backups taking up precious space on your Mac?
  
• A handy website for questions about Mac's Time Machine