iOS 10 became available on September 9, 2016. iOS 10 is the newest major release of Apple’s mobile OS, bringing several new features and UI changes to iOS devices. This update focuses heavily on upgrading keyboard capabilities, improved iMessage features and privacy, and a greater integration of Siri. iOS 10 will be compatible with iPhones going back to the iPhone 5, iPads going back to the 4th gen iPad and iPad mini 2, and the 6th gen iPod Touch.
ISC Recommendation:
Information Systems & Computing (ISC) believes that it is reasonable for most iOS users at the University with a compatible device to upgrade to iOS 10. Before upgrading, faculty and staff should consult with their Local Support Provider (LSP) to ensure that local requirements are fulfilled. Users of managed iOS devices should consult their LSP before upgrading to iOS 10.
ISC and others across campus have tested iOS 10 and have not discovered any compatibility issues with various University systems and many current University apps, including a suite of apps and services listed here:
ISC has received scattered reports of WiFi connectivity issues with AirPennNet and iOS 10, which have usually been resolved by removing and re-adding the relevant configuration profile.
Upgrade notes and best practices:
- ISC recommends updating all apps immediately prior to upgrading to iOS 10. In an ISC survey of 220 actively maintained apps, a 55% have been updated (some of them multiple times) between Apple's release of the iOS 10 Golden Master (GM) on September 7th and October 2nd. The upgrade process is also a good time to remove obsolete or unused apps.
- The upgrade to iOS 10 should not erase any information on the device, but performing a backup of your device with iTunes before applying a major iOS upgrade is always advisable.
- Upgrading to iOS 10 through the desktop requires iTunes 12.5.x.
- As is the case with all large downloads, Apple requires using WiFi or iTunes to upgrade to iOS 10.
- ISC strongly suggests that the device be connected to a power source before beginning the upgrade.
- The upgrade process takes approximately 15 to 25 minutes.
- An active network connection is needed after installation for upgraded devices to reactivate.
Key Features:
- New methods of expression within iMessage
- Emotive chat bubbles (mimicking speaking loudly vs whispering, etc.)
- Handwritten messages
- Invisible ink
- Animations triggered by key phrases ("Happy Birthday!", "Congratulations!")
- Tapback quick responses
- Stickers
- iMessage apps
- Privacy
- End-to-end encryption in iMessage by default
- Photo search and contextual predictions populated by on-device data, never shared
- Keyboard prediction improvements
- Tap to swap out words with matching emojis
- Contextual predictions using data from contacts, calendars, etc.
- Multilingual typing
- Advanced Siri integration
- Siri now open to apps via Siri SDK
- Maps improvements
- Home (smart home device manager)
- Redesigned and simplified Music app
- Expanded use of 3D Touch
- Rich notifications (view details and respond from within notifications)
- Photos app additions
- Photo search
- Memories
- Apple Pay on the web
- Raise to wake
*While iOS 10 is available for a wide range of devices, not all iOS 10 features and improvements will be available on all devices.
Mobile Device Management:
Those running iOS devices on MDM solutions should not experience any sweeping changes in regards to device management. Minor changes to configuration payloads for VPNs and WiFi have been made, but configuration capabilities should remain the same. Apple is expected to deprecate a subset of restrictions settings** from standard MDM, and make them only available on devices that are managed in Supervised mode (which any Enterprise MDM solution should run), but this will not come with iOS 10, initially. Users of managed iOS devices should consult their LSP before upgrading to iOS 10.
**These settings include:
- FaceTime
- Siri
- Safari
- iTunes
- Explicit content
- iCloud documents and data
- Multiplayer gaming
- Adding Game Center friends