Apple's iOS 11 is here with more emoji, map updates and augmented reality: Here's all you need to know to make sure your update goes smoothly

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After months of anticipation, Apple will today release its new iOS 11.

The update includes highly anticipated features for Apple devices including a more expressive voice for Siri, augmented reality apps, map updates, new emoji and shared Wi-fi.

iOS 11 will also include a couple of features that are specific to the iPhone X, such as FaceID and animated emoji, or animoji.

Apple normally releases its iOS update at around 10am Pacific Time, which is 1pm Eastern Time or 6pm UK time. 

Here's MailOnline's ultimate guide on what to expect and how to make sure the update goes smoothly. 

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After months of anticipation, Apple will finally release its new iOS 11 today. One major omission will be the expected Apple Pay Cash person-to-person money transfer system. Pictured are what iOS 11 will look like on iPhones and iPads

How to update 

When IOS 11 is released today, you can tap Settings > General > Software Update and carry out the refresh from there.

Alternatively, you can connect the iPhone or iPad to a PC or Mac running iTunes and do the upgrade from there.

Things can go wrong when updating, so it's always a good precaution to run a system backup first to ensure you don't lose any of your data.

You can either create a local backup using iTunes, or backup to iCloud by going to Settings > iCloud > Backup, and then turning on iCloud Backup.

You may also need your iCloud, iTunes and encrypted backup passwords to hand so it's a good precaution to make sure you have these.

iOS 11 will also spell the end for 32 bit apps, with 62 bit now becoming standard.

You can check installed apps for compatibility using a built-in checker tool including in iOS 10.3 and later.

You can find that by clicking: Settings > General > About > Applications.

This will give you a list of all apps that won't be supported in the upgraded version.

Some people may prefer to restore their device to factory settings as this can avoid some compatibility issues, but it is much more labour intensive to reinstall apps.

Others may wish to wait for users to install the update and report back on any bugs which will be patched in future updated versions of i0S 11.  

iOS 11 will only operate on 64-bit devices. Older models like the iPhone 5 (pictured) will no longer receive updates. It will also spell the end for 32 bit apps. You can check installed apps for compatibility using a built-in checker tool including in iOS 10.3 and later

Control centre

The control centre design has been given an upgrade, and can now be seen on single page, with greater depth on a 3D slider.

You can now also customize what quick shortcuts you’ll see in the Control Center.  

Once you’ve created a set-up that you like, it can become a useful shortcut to functions such as your alarm clock or turning your battery onto torch. 

But force pressing or long pressing some of the widgets, including the wireless icon, will give you a popup with more options.

The control centre design has been given an upgrade, and can now be seen on single page, with greater depth on a 3D slider

Files app 

Apple is adding a new 'Files' app to iPhone and iPad in the iOS 11 update. 

The app will allow users to access all their documents in one place, including those stored on the iCloud drive, or with third party storage providers, such as Dropbox. 

The app now appears in the App Store.

Apple is adding a new 'Files' app to iPhone in the iOS 11 update. The app will allow users to access all their documents in one place, including those stored on the iCloud drive, or with third party storage providers, such as Dropbox

A description reads: 'The Recents view displays all files you've been working on lately in high-resolution thumbnails. 

'Use the powerful Browse view to navigate folders, organise your files with pages, move files between folders, and search.' 

Map updates, including a 'do not disturb while driving mode' 

Apple Maps will include floor plans of shopping malls and airports, so users can plan their expedition.

The navigation tool will also show lane guidance, and the upper speed limit while you are on the road. 

In iOS 11, Apple is also launching a 'Do Not Disturb While Driving' feature that will automatically prevent notifications from popping up when it senses that you are in the car.

Apple Maps will include floor plans of shopping malls and airports, so users can plan their expedition

Do Not Disturb While Driving can detect when your phone is connected to a car using Bluetooth or a cable, or if the car is moving, and withhold any notifications that could distract you

The Do Not Disturb While Driving feature is optional for passengers in the car, who can choose to disable it if they would like

Do not disturb while driving can detect when your phone is connected to a car using Bluetooth or a cable, or if the car is moving, and withhold any notifications that could distract you.

This includes text messages, WhatsApp messages and news updates.

The iPhone screen will also lock to prevent drivers from accessing their apps while driving.

The feature is optional for passengers in the car, who can choose to disable it if they would like.

More emoji and animoji for iPhone X

iOS 11 will come with a raft of new emoji, from breastfeeding mothers to zombies, pixies, a T-rex and a vomiting smiley.

For the iPhone X, iOS 11 allows users to create animated emoji, or animoji.

Users will be able to send animated images of a monkey, rabbit, panda and even a smiley poo to speak messages in the style and voice of the user.

iOS 11 will come with a raft of new emoji, including zombies, zerbras, a T-Rex and fairys

The iOS 11 GM code has revealed that the new operating will come with 3D animated emoji, called 'Animoji 'believed to be exclusively for the new iPhone X.

Camera updates 

Apple is adding High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC video), offering more efficient compression. 

The iPortrait mode now uses optical image stabilization, True Tone flash and HDR, so every shot looks even more professional. 

Loop and Bounce effects create continuous video loops for Live Photos, while Long Exposure creatively captures time and movement.

In Photos, Memory Movies are optimized to play in both portrait and landscape orientation, and more memories, such as photos of pets or birthdays, are automatically created.

Loop and Bounce effects create continuous video loops for Live Photos, while Long Exposure creatively captures time and movement

As for Live Photos, in iOS 11, you will be able to trim them, as well as mark any part of the video as your key photo. With Live Photos users will also be able loop them, or view on long exposure

Updates to Apple Music

In iOS 11, users will be able to find out what their friends are listening to from within the Music app.

But if you're not so keen on people being able to see what you're listening to then there's good news, as you can choose whether your profile is public or private.

Apple has also made the Apple Music app smarter. 

In a preview for iOS 11, Apple wrote: 'Apple Music learns your tastes, so you can ask Siri to play something you'd like.' 

Messages app updates 

The Messages app is also being given an update, with a redesign to the app's draw, allowing easier access to stickers, GIFs and more. 

iMessages in iCloud will automatically synchronise across devices, but remain end-to-end encrypted. 

In iOS 11, users will be able to find out what their friends are listening to from within the Music app. But if you're not so keen on people being able to see what you're listening to then there's good news, as you can choose whether your profile is public or private

The Messages app is also being given an update, with a redesign to the app's draw, allowing easier access to stickers, GIFs and more

Siri  

Siri will be given a new American voice that is said to be more expressive, in both the male and female form, thanks to a new visual interface.

The smart assistant will also be able to quickly translate English into Chinese, French, German, Italian and Spanish, with more language options coming soon. 

Siri will be given a new American voice that is said to be more expressive, in both the male and female form, thanks to a new visual interface

What Siri learns on one device will be synced across all devices in iOS 11, but this is still private thanks to end-to-end encryption, Apple says.

A Type to Siri feature within accessibility settings is much slower, and Siri maybe respond via voice without the appropriate setting activated, but this can allow the voice assistant to be turned to type only.

App store re-design  

Apple will completely redesign the App Store in iOS 11.

A new tab, called 'Today' will show apps and stories about developers on a daily basis.

A 'Games' tab will show everything that is happening with games, and in-app purchases, such as new levels or upgrades. 

Apps will also have its own tab, with dedicated features and charts for each app.

Apple will completely redesign the App Store in iOS 11. A new tab, called 'Today' will show apps and stories about developers on a daily basis. A 'Games' tab will show everything that is happening with games, and in-app purchases, such as new levels or upgrades

Shared Wi-Fi

The days of having to look for your Wi-Fi password to give a friend will be a thing of the past in iOS 11. 

Apple is introducing a new shared Wi-Fi feature that lets users send their router's password to another person's handset. 

Devices will need to be near each other and unlocked to connect.

ARKit is being introduced as part of iOS 11, letting users have augmented reality capabilities in apps, such as Pokemon Go

Augmented reality 

ARKit is being introduced as part of iOS 11, letting users have augmented reality capabilities in apps, such as Pokemon Go.

Apple's Augmented reality system uses the cameras on an iPhone to detect a flat surface, or 'plane' to put the virtual objects on, such as a table or floor.

With a combination of machine learning and the camera data, it can constantly adjust the image so the object appears secured to the correct surface without the 'jitters' or other AR systems.

ARKit also makes use of the camera sensor to estimate the total amount of light available in a scene and applies the correct amount of lighting to virtual objects.+

Games and apps will now offer fantastically immersive and fluid experiences that go far beyond the screen. 

By taking advantage of the latest in AR technology, you can digitally redecorate your home, explore a city you’ve never visited, or even try on a new tattoo.

In practise, it's hugely impressive, but wandering around the room 'looking through' your phone does take a bit of getting used to. 

Augmented reality on the iPhone 8: Apple says dozens of apps will be available at launch. The feature will also work on the iPhone 6 and 7.

With new augmented reality apps, users can place virtual objects, like this dinousaur, in real-world scenes

Ikea's first AR app, called Ikea Place, lets you put any item, from sofas and lamps, to rugs and tables into your living room to see how they look.

It sounds like a gimmick, but in practice its astonishingly good.

The app lets you virtually 'place' home products that are 3-D and true to-scale so you can make sure they're just the right size, design and functionality for your room,' Ikea says.

A sofa placed into the room MailOnline's reporter was sitting in appeared at the perfect size, on the floor just as it should be.

New wallpapers 

9to5Mac revealed that the iOS 11 GM code has 16 new wallpapers - three exclusive to the upcoming iPhone. 

Wallpapers include several renditions of the retro Apple six color logo, as well as six flower wallpapers, and three space wallpapers. 

A new Dock

The new Dock is a major change for iPad.

It’s now available from any screen. 

There are a number of new changes in iOS 11 expressly for the iPad, including the new Dock and multitasking

So with just a swipe, you can open and switch apps instantly. 

And you can customise it with more of your favourites. 

Apps you’ve opened recently and apps that are currently open on your iPhone or Mac appear in the right side of the Dock.

In iOS 11, users will be able to work with multiple apps at the same time using Slide Over on iPad

Multitasking

iOS 11 makes it easier and more intuitive than ever to multitask on iPad. 

You can open a second app from the Dock and both apps remain active in Split View as well as Slide Over.

You can drag the second app in Slide Over to the left. 

And you can get back to your favourite App Spaces in the redesigned App Switcher.

A new ‘Apple Pay Cash' system was expected to be released with the update. This would have allowed users to send money directly to each other using a number of easy and convenient methods

Apple cash system

A new ‘Apple Pay Cash' system was expected to be released with the update.

This would have allowed users to send money directly to each other using a number of easy and convenient methods. 

Apple has said the feature will now be released 'in the fall.'