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Apple users should backup before new update

Lauren Kate Rawlins
By Lauren Kate Rawlins, ITWeb digital and innovation contributor.
Johannesburg, 28 Mar 2017
iOS 10.3 rolls out this week.
iOS 10.3 rolls out this week.

Apple's latest operating system update, iOS 10.3, began roll-out to iPhones and iPads globally yesterday.

The large update could take a while to load and users are advised to back up their data in case there are any issues.

The company is introducing a new file system with iOS 10.3, called Apple File System (APFS), which replaces HFS+. The APFS is said to save space on devices and protect files from crashing, among other things.

However, any glitch during installation could lead to data loss.

Installing the update will "automatically convert all the data on a device to APFS", a developer told Business Insider.

"The format the data is stored in will be changed. The data itself should still be there, but with the format changed," the developer explained.

Therefore, to protect data such as photos or messages, Apple users are advised to back up data to a separate device before updating their iPhone or iPad.

A few more things...

The update also introduces new features, including the ability to locate the company's wireless AirPods using Find My iPhone - a sound will be played from one or both AirPods to help users find them.

Apple's virtual assistant, Siri, has been updated to include support for paying and checking status of bills with payment apps, and scheduling with ride booking apps, using voice.

Siri will also be able to answer questions about cricket scores and statistics for the Indian Premier League and International Cricket Council.

Other improvements and fixes include a new unified view for Apple ID account information, settings and devices in the Settings menu, hourly weather in Maps, support for searching 'parked car' in Maps, and the ability to delete an unwanted invite in Calendar.

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