Today Apple released updates across their mobile operating system line, introducing many security, performance, and reliability fixes as well as a few new features that were promised some time ago.
macOS 10.13.5 was not released today so we’ll be seeing it at another date.
New major features include:
- Messages on iCloud. This allows all of your text message history to be stored in your iCloud account (consuming iCloud storage of course). But this has several benefits. It allows messages to be automatically offloaded to the Cloud instead of consuming local device storage. It allows you to delete messages on one device and they delete universally. And if you get a new device you can get your full message history without restoring from a backup, a fantastic option for users who want to wipe out their iPhone to fix a bug but don’t want to lose their message history. This is an optional feature you can turn on in Settings > your name > iCloud > Messages.
- AirPlay 2. The newest revision of AirPlay allows you to stream to multiple AirPlay 2 devices simultaneously (even third-party speakers that support AirPlay 2), allowing you to play music to multiple devices at once or set up a stereo HomePod pair.
To update your devices:
- iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch): Tap Settings > General > Software Update.
- watchOS: First update your iPhone, then on your iPhone tap the Watch app > General > Software Update.
- tvOS: Navigate to Settings > System > Software Update.
- HomePod: Your HomePod should update automatically. But you can push it along if you want.