iOS 15 Updates Won't Be as Limited By Available Storage

Install updates for iOS 15 and watchOS 8 with 500 MB of storage

By
Rob Rich
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Rob Rich
News Reporter
  • College for Creative Studies
Rob is a freelance tech reporter with experience writing for a variety of outlets, including IGN, Unwinnable, 148Apps, Gamezebo, Pocket Gamer, Fanbolt, Zam, and more.
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Updated on July 16, 2021 12:09PM EDT
Fact checked by
Rich Scherr
Rich Scherr
Fact checked by Rich Scherr
  • University of Maryland Baltimore County
Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire.
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Apple is reducing the available storage requirement for iOS and iPadOS 15 and watchOS 8 update downloads, allowing installation with less than 500 MB of free space.

iOS and iPadOS 15 and watchOS 8 beta users found that, in the most recent update, the amount of free space needed for installation had been reduced. According to Apple's release notes for both the iOS and iPadOS 15 and watchOS 8 betas, "You can now update your device using Software Update if less than 500 MB of storage is available."

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Apple doesn't state a reason for easing up on the storage requirements, but MacRumors suggests that it might be in service to Apple Watch Series 3 users. Due to the older device's limited storage, users often would have to reset and repair their watch in order to update the OS.

A reduction in the amount of required storage space should make updating the Series 3 Apple Watch far less finicky.

Additional updates to the most recent beta releases include new App Store features, bug adjustments for several different functions, an adjusted Safari interface, and more.

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FG Trade / Getty Images

You can see all the specific changes by visiting the Beta 3 Release Notes pages for iOS and iPadOS 15 and watchOS 8, respectively.

If you're interested in trying out iOS and iPadOS 15 and/or watchOS 8, you can download the software development kit (SDK). The SDK comes bundled with Xcode 13 Beta 3, and you can check the release notes for compatibility requirements.

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