Important steps to take on your iPhone before installing Apple's latest iOS 18 to avoid any errors

iOS 18 has started rolling out today (September 16) but there are a few things you need to do before you install it.

Announced at an Apple conference back in June, iOS 18 is jam-packed with new features including home screen and control center customization, a new Passwords app and smart handwriting for Notes.

There will be also be upgrades to Maps, Apple Fitness+ and the Calculator, alongside a refreshed version of Safari.

Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering, said: "We are thrilled to introduce iOS 18.

"It is a huge release with incredible features, including new levels of customization and capability, a redesigned Photos app, and powerful ways to stay connected with Messages. There are so many benefits for everyone."

Apple is rolling out it's latest update iOS 18 today (Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

As with all updates with the tech giant, owners of eligible devices will be able to download iOS 18 from 1pm EDT. It will be available on all iPhones from 2018’s iPhone XS or newer.

It's important to note, however, that not all of these phones will be compatible with Apple Intelligence, the company’s new AI.

This is due to be rolled later this year but will only work on the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro.

Once today's update is available, you can download it by opening the Settings on your phone and navigating to General > Software Update. Then, tap 'Install,' verify and reboot to finish.

You can also install iOS 18 via a Mac or iTunes on a Windows computer.

But, before you even think about downloading the update, there are a few important things you need to do.

Before installing the update, owners should do a few things to protect their iPhones (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

First, free up some storage space on your device. iOS 18 is likely to take up a lot of space, so you'll need to clear some up to allow for a seamless installation.

Start by deleting any apps you don't use. On top of this, social media apps like Facebook and Instagram hoard a load of space and data. Try deleting them then reinstalling them to remove cached files and chat logs.

It's also pretty vital to back up your iPhone to avoid the risk of losing it all.

While most updates run pretty smoothly, complications can happen, so take a moment to back up your device before clicking that 'Install' button.

You can also use iCloud or a local backup for added protection.

And lastly, make sure your iPhone is fully charged and connected to a strong Wi-Fi network before starting the download to avoid any unnecessary hiccups along the way.