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Apple's roll out of iOS 9 is plagued by technical issues: Software update promises to save battery life and speed up browsing, but many users can't download it

The update went live at 10am PST (6pm BST, 1pm EST)
Available for iPhone 4S, iPad 2, iPad mini, 5th-gen iPod touch and above
Features include live wallpapers, better battery life and updated keyboard
However, some users are having problems downloading the update
The roll out of watchOS2 has also been delayed after discovery of a bug

By Victoria Woollaston and Ellie Zolfagharifard For Dailymail.com

Published: 01:43 EST, 16 September 2015 | Updated: 13:09 EST, 16 September 2015

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Apple has begun rolling out its next-generation software to iPhones, iPads and the iPod touch.

The latest version, called iOS 9, was unveiled at Apple's WWDC conference in June and has been in beta with developers since.

New features include live wallpapers, better battery life, an updated keyboard, improved security and more.

But many users have complained that their iOS devices are returning an error when they attempt to download iOS 9.

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Starting from 10am PST (6pm BST) today, Apple began rolling out its next-generation software to iPhones, iPads and the iPod touch. The latest version, called iOS 9, was unveiled at Apple's WWDC conference in June and has been in beta with developers since. Its new Slide Over feature is pictured

HOW TO UPGRADE TO IOS 9

Before any update Apple advises people back up their device to iCloud or iTunes.

Updating 'over the air'

1. Plug in the device to a power source.

2. Tap Settings > General > Software Update

3. Tap Download and Install.

Updates may download automatically if your device is connected to Wi-Fi and a power source.

Tap Install, or tap Later to install the update later. People who use a passcode will need to enter it before installing the update.

People who have free storage, but not enough to update over the air, can either update using iTunes or delete content from their device.

However, Apple has made improvements to the process for iOS 9 to make the update smaller for people with less storage.

With iOS 8, users needed 4.58GB of space compared to just 1.3GB for iOS 9.

Updating using iTunes

For people who can't update wirelessly, or those who want to update with iTunes, follow these steps:

1. Install the latest version of iTunes on the computer.

2. Plug in the device to the computer.

3. In iTunes, select your device. In the Summary pane, click Check for Update.

4. Click Download and Update.

If you don't have enough free space to update using iTunes, you'll need to delete content manually from your device.

It reads: 'Software update failed. An error occurred downloading iOS 9.' iTunes also appears to have some issues.

According to The Verge, this error is likely to subside as Apple's servers deal with the request, rather than this being a sign of a deeper bug.

Apple did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com for comment.

The firm today also delayed the release of watchOS 2 for the Apple Watch after a 'critical bug' was found.

Apple said it had discovered a bug in development of watchOS 2, a that a new version will be available 'shortly'.

The software for iOS9 is available to download with an iPhone 4s or newer, iPad 2 or newer, the iPad mini and later models as well as the fifth-generation iPod touch.

Other additions include a News app, which contains stories specially selected by the tech giant, Proactive Assistant which resembles Google Now, and updated HealthKit tools.

Apple has also added an app that makes it easier for Android users to switch to iOS.

Called 'Move to iOS', the app securely transfers contacts, message history, camera photos and videos, web bookmarks, mail accounts, calendars, wallpaper, and DRM-free songs and books.

Elsewhere, the Move to iOS app will help users rebuild their app library.

Any free apps, such as Facebook and Twitter, that have been installed on the Android device will be suggested for download from the Apple App Store.

While paid-for apps will be added to their iTunes Wish List but will need to bought again.

On the iPad, new multitasking features have been added so users can split the screen between two apps for the first time, or use them both at once.

Apple said these new features will enable iPad users to 'make even better use of its large screen'.

A similar feature already exists on rival platform Android.

Those eligible for the update will begin receiving notifications from today.

Apple's much-maligned Maps app has also been updated as part of iOS 9, now showing public transport options routes for the first time.

Users are complaining that their iOS devices are returning an error when they attempt to download iOS 9

Passbook has been renamed Apple Wallet and it will be accessible by double-clicking the Home button when the iPhone is locked. Apple said: 'Soon you'll be able to add your favourite store credit cards and reward cards to your Wallet app to make purchases and redeem rewards - all straight from Apple Pay'

The feature is only in selected cities, but it will include buses, trains, metros and ferries.

The app has previously struggled with reliability issues, and even prompted an apology from Apple chief Tim Cook shortly after it launched in 2012.

In terms of battery life, Apple claims that power efficiency improvements will give some users an extra hour of additional time before charging.

These battery improvements should be seen on all devices but will more significant on newer devices with hardware that is powerful enough to take advantage of them.

To boost security, default pin codes are now six digits long rather than four which Apple said increases the possible combinations from 10,000 to one million, and is therefore more secure against hacking.

Apple's iOS 9 will let people track when, and how often they have sex, as well as letting women log their menstrual cycle. A screenshot of the HealthKit update, showing UV exposure, sedentary state and menstruation graphs that briefly flashed up during Apple's conference is shown with Apple's Craig Federighi

Two-factor authentication, where a second layer is added to log-in, has also been introduced with users now required to enter a code when they log in from a new device for the first time.

This code will be sent to and displayed on a user's other Apple products.

At the conference in June, Apple said its updated HealthKit app will let users track how much water they drink, UV exposure, how long they sit still for and their reproductive health, as well as current features.

WHAT'S NEW IN APPLE'S IOS 9 SOFTWARE?

The software will be available to download with an iPhone 4s or newer, iPad 2 or newer, the iPad mini and later models as well as the fifth-generation iPod touch.

Apple began rolling out the update at10am PST (6pm BST, 1pm EST) today.

Better battery life

Apple claims that power efficiency improvements in iOS 9 will give some users an extra hour of additional time before charging.

These battery improvements should be seen on all devices but will more significant on newer devices with hardware that is powerful enough to take advantage of them.

'Move to iOS' transfers contacts, message history, camera photos and videos from Android device

Improved security

Two-factor authentication, where a second layer is added to log-in, is also being introduced with users now required to enter a code when they log in from a new device for the first time.

This code will be sent to and displayed on a user's other Apple products.

Multitasking

The new Slide Over feature lets users open a second app without leaving the one they're in.

This lets users quickly browse the web, respond to a text message or jot something down in a note, then slide that app away and get back to the one they were using before.

Meanwhile, Split View lets users have two apps open and active at the same time.

HealthKit

At its WWDC conference in June, Apple said its updated HealthKit app will let users track how much water they drink, UV exposure, how long they sit still for and their reproductive health, as well as current features.

No detailed information was released about sex tracking, but screenshots suggested people will be able to log when they have sex as well as if they used protection.

A slide briefly shown during June's presentation showed a category titled mensuration so women will finally be able to track their periods in the app, too.

Move to iOS

The firm has added a free app to its iOS 9 software called 'Move to iOS' that lets Android users 'migrate' all their contacts, photos and songs over to Apple devices at the touch of a button.

The app securely transfers contacts, message history, camera photos and videos, web bookmarks, mail accounts, calendars, wallpaper, and DRM-free songs and books.

Elsewhere, the Move to iOS app will also help users rebuild their app library.

Any free apps, such as Facebook and Twitter, that have been installed on the Android device will be suggested for download from the Apple App Store.

While paid-for apps will be added to their iTunes Wish List and will need to bought again.

Apple is also taking aim at Google Now with its iOS 9 software with a feature called Proactive Assistant (pictured). Based on the apps people commonly use and the time of day they use them, Apple will give 'intelligent suggestions' for what they might want to do next, even before being asked

Proactive Assistant

Apple is also taking aim at Google Now with its iOS 9 software with a feature called Proactive Assistant.

Based on the apps people commonly use and the time of day they use them, Apple will give 'intelligent suggestions' for what they might want to do next, even before being asked.

Siri 'always on'

During last week's iPhone 6s and iPad Pro launch conference, Apple confirmed Siri will be 'always on' in iOS 9.

It means Siri is permanently switched on and listening for the voice command 'Hey Siri', even if the phone is on the other side of a room.

'Hey Siri' isn't an entirely brand new feature - it was introduced in iOS 8 - but it could only be activated when the phone was plugged into charge.

The new Slide Over feature lets users open a second app without leaving the one they're in. Meanwhile, Split View (pictured) lets users have two apps open and active at the same time. Both of these features will take full advantage of the larger 12-inch screen on the iPad Pro

App Thinning

A background feature introduced in iOS 9 is called App Thinning.

It has been explained on the watchOS Developer Library site and is aimed at developers looking to optimise their apps to work on iOS and the watchOS.

It ensures apps use the lowest amount of storage space on a device by only downloading the parts it needs run on the particular handset it is being installed onto.

It 'slices' the app into 'app variants' that only need to access the specific files on that specific handset.

Previously, apps would need to be able to run on all handsets and account for the varying files, chipsets and power so contained sections that weren't always relevant to the phone it was being installed on.

This made them larger than needed.

Under the new plans, when an app is downloaded from the App Store, the app recognises which phone it is being installed onto and only pulls in the files and code it needs to work on that particular device.

No detailed information was released about sex tracking, but screenshots suggested people will be able to log when they have sex as well as if they used protection.

A slide briefly shown during June's presentation showed a category titled mensuration so women will finally be able to track their periods in the app, too.

Elsewhere, Passbook has been renamed Apple Wallet and it will be accessible by double-clicking the Home button when the iPhone is locked.

The software will be available to download with an iPhone 4s or newer, iPad 2 or newer, the iPad mini and later models as well as the fifth-generation iPod touch. All compatible models are pictured

Apple said: 'Soon you'll be able to add your favourite store credit cards and reward cards to your Wallet app to make purchases and redeem rewards - all straight from Apple Pay.'

The software launch comes just over a week before the latest iPhones, the 6s and 6s Plus, as well as the iPad Pro, are released.

They will come with iOS 9 built-in, and the larger 12-inch iPad Pro will particularly take advantage of the split screen mode.

Apple claims the current pre-orders for the new phones are 'on pace' to beat the company's record sales of the iPhone 6 last year.

Rival Google is also set to release an update of its own Android operating system - called Marshmallow - later this year.

WatchOS 2 for the Apple Watch, is expected to add a range of new features, the to directly access its sensors and stream data more efficiently between the iPhone and the watch.

Other features include expanded Siri support, photo watch faces and the ability to travel through a timeline to check appointments.