Latest iOS 15 and watchOS 8 Beta Lets Users Install Software Updates with Less Available Storage

[MacRumors]

Apple yesterday released the third betas of iOS 15 and watchOS 8, and while there are plenty of front-end changes, one notable behind-the-scenes issue that was resolved is that users will now be able to install software updates when their device is low on storage.

In the release notes for the updated iOS 15 and watchOS 8 betas, Apple says that software updates can now be downloaded and installed on devices even if they have as little as 500MB of storage left.

You can now update your device using Software Update if less than 500 MB of storage is available

Apple doesn't provide any context to the new change; however, it is likely targeted at users of the older Apple Watch Series 3. Owners of the older Apple Watch currently have to face an unpleasant experience when updating their device to newer versions of watchOS, including resetting and repairing their watch to their iPhone due to little available storage. Apple is aiming to address these and other concerns with iOS 15 and watchOS 8 this fall.

The third beta of iOS 15 also includes plenty of other changes, including refinements to the controversial Safari design, with a relocated address field. Check out our roundup to see everything that's new in the latest beta.

(Via 9to5mac)

Article Link: Latest iOS 15 and watchOS 8 Beta Lets Users Install Software Updates with Less Available Storage

 

[tevion5]

About time! No idea why it took this long for them to allow my Watch Series 3 to automatically delete apps/music, update and redownload content overnight.

At first I thought I was the odd one out needing to reset my device every update but seeing instructions to do exactly that directly from Apple was something else.

 

[contacos]

Great. It is really incredible how much more data apps etc. require nowadays. I installed the beta on my old iPhone 6s (16 GB) and it is full! No photos and like 4 apps installed.

 

[ian87w]

Time to make 128GB as base storage for all iPhones then?

 

[yellow8]

Yeah, there is clearly a storage issue on iPhone. There is not enough storage these day.
My iPhone is always full, and was never before.
Yes I could micro-manage to improve this, but I don't want to, that's the reason I have an iPhone.

 

[Darkwalker]

Looks like the popularity of watchOS 7.5 finally brought attention to this issue. Us series 3 owners have been suffering for awhile now. It’s nice to see Apple favoring its older customers for a change. 😅

 

[Htsi]

Can’t innovate any more, my ass

 

[iAFC]

Glad to hear they are still improving the experience for Series 3 owners.

 

[MandiMac]

Apple says that software updates can now be downloaded and installed on devices even if they have as little as 500MB of storage left. Apple doesn't provide any context to the new change; however, it is likely targeted at users of the older Apple Watch Series 3.

YESSSSSS!

 

[6787872]

the cost of offering paltry storage coming to bite Apple.

meanwhile, their base icloud plan still offers 5gb like it's 2005.

 

[MandiMac]

the cost of offering paltry storage coming to bite Apple.

How exactly?

 

[JosephAW]

Great, this paves the way for non-storage iPhone devices with no ram and everything is stored on iCloud.

 

[MandiMac]

Great, this paves the way for non-storage iPhone devices with no ram and everything is stored on iCloud.

That ... doesn't even make sense?

 

[IIGS User]

Funny, I must be the exception. I almost never max out my devices. I keep most of my photos on my Mac and I rarely store music or video on my phone, most times I stream things.

But this is a good move for Apple. A lot of people don't have room on their devices, and anything that makes software upgrades easier is good.

 

[Cheesehead Dave]

Good. It'd be one thing if this was a legacy model of Watch, but they're still selling the Series 3 and this is a pretty crappy user experience to be putting people through..

 

[iHate You]

Wish I waited for this. Updating my phone forced a watch update and wiped out all the voice memos.

 

[mrat93]

How exactly?

I see both sides to this.

On one hand, Apple had to devote resources to make this feature possible, likely costing several thousand dollars in R&D. It’s also worth noting that they’ve certainly been aware of this conundrum for years and have been passively working on a solution.

On the other hand, how much additional profit did Apple make by charging $100 or $200 for storage upgrades? Say Apple nets an extra $50 (a gross underestimation) for each higher-storage tier. Now multiply that by the number of people who paid for extra storage. Likely outweighs the time devoted to optimizing updates.

To be clear, I think Apple should have eliminated 16gb phones way before they did. I’d imagine it’s part of their strategy to get people onboard with iCloud storage — I helped so many friends and family members deal with “not enough storage” that I should get a cut from their iCloud bill.

 

[tonmischa]

Nitpick: The current "Reset and Re-Pair" problem only applies to the 8GB non-LTE version of the Apple Watch 3.

 

[jaster2]

Really glad they dealt with this. Also, should have be done a year ago.

 

[locovaca]

Nitpick: The current "Reset and Re-Pair" problem only applies to the 8GB non-LTE version of the Apple Watch 3.

Which is the only version of the S3 still for sale today.

 

[mashdots]

Which is the only version of the S3 still for sale today.

It's the one I have. This update will be very welcome.

 

[_Spinn_]

This is a good change. I’m surprised this wasn’t done sooner.

 

[dcdandan]

Great. It is really incredible how much more data apps etc. require nowadays. I installed the beta on my old iPhone 6s (16 GB) and it is full! No photos and like 4 apps installed.

Sometimes it can just be lazy coding and stuff