Soon after announcing the new iPhone 6s and the iPhone 6s Plus, Apple has released the iOS 9 GM (Golden Master) for its supported iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch devices over its iOS Dev Center. This Golden Master version of Apple’s upcoming major software update i.e. iOS 9 carries a build number 13A340.
The last beta, which was iOS 9 beta 5, was released almost a month ago, which brought numerous new features to the software including 15 new iOS 9 wallpapers and Wi-Fi assistant.
Golden Master is the last release after the beta releases before the software is released to the general public. The software that comes pre-installed on the new iPhones usually carries the same build number as that of a Golden master. iOS 9 GM will allow developers to finalize their apps for this upcoming major software release and release it into the App Store.
During today’s big media event in San Francisco, Apple announced that the final version of iOS 9 will be released to the masses on September 16. iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPad Pro, new Apple TV, and iPad mini 4 are also among the newly unveiled devices.
Some of the key feature of iOS 9 that Apple talked about during WWDC 2015 includes:
- Transit directions in Apple Maps
- Proactive Assistant
- Improved Siri
- Revamped multitasking for iPad
- redesign Notes app
- News app
- Low power mode
For more details, make sure to check out our iOS 9 new features list.
For developers, the iOS 9 has entered the Gm stage, it remains unknown if there will be another public beta or Apple go straight to the final release of September 16. The Golden master supports all the devices that were compatible with the previous iOS 9 beta releases.
If you’re new to the Golden Master release, it’s time to learn that you cannot upgrade from iOS 9 beta releases to a GM version Over-The-Air. For that, you’ll have to download the full sized IPSW for the iOS 9 GM version and then install iOS using iTunes.
You can download iOS 9 GM release from the iOS Dev Center. For that, you must a registered iOS developer which sets you back $99/year to become one. Also, make sure to check out our step-by-step guide on how to install iOS 9 beta without developer account on your iPhone iPad, or iPod Touch.