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Apple’s iOS updates will no longer require so much free space

Apple has released a new update for its iOS 8 operating system, fixing the most complained-about aspect of the software update process.

With iOS 8.1.3 Apple says it has reduced the amount of free space users will need in order to boost their phones and tablets to the latest version of the OS.

The new release solves a long-standing issue where users have often needed to free up multiple gigabytes of storage in order to download the software update, regardless of the size of the file they’re downloading.

The anomaly has forced some iPhone and iPad owners to delete essential apps, games and photos in order to create the space.

The issue has caused particular problems for those users with iDevices with less storage. Apple hasn’t revealed how it is saving the space, but it’s unlikely users will care too how about that.

As well as this welcome fix Apple is also nuking a few bugs within its mobile operating system. The 247MB update fixes an issue that prevented Apple ID password for Messages and FaceTime and takes care of a fault which prevented Spotlight displaying app results. An issue which prevented multitasking gestures working on the iPad is also nixed by the update.

Read more: iPhone 6 vs iPhone 5S: Should you upgrade?

As well as the iOS update, Apple has also served up a bump for Mac OS X 10.10.2 which improved the desktop OS with fixes for Wi-Fi disconnects, slow web loading and Bluetooth instability.

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