Apple is launching its iOS 7 software on Wednesday

BY SAMANTHA MURPHY KELLY

Apple is launching its iOS 7 software on Wednesday, and if we've learned anything from major system updates in the past, there will be kinks.

Before you download the new software — which will be pushed to iOS users sometime during the day (we got the iOS 6 notification on our devices around lunchtime last year on the East Coast) — there are a few simple things to do ahead of time in case there are bugs. The last thing you'd want is to have your pictures, music and other files wiped along the way.

SEE ALSO: Hands On With iOS 7: It's Just the Beginning

To download iOS 7 worry-free, the first step is to back up your data via iCloud. Apple actually backs up the most important data (if using iOS 5 or later) automatically, but the feature has to be enabled. To set this up, visit Settings > iCloud > Backup & Storage. This will back up your iPhone on a daily basis as long as the device's screen is locked, on a Wi-Fi network and connected to power.

But before you download iOS, we suggest doing a manual back up. To do so, follow the same steps as above (Settings > iCloud > Backup & Storage) and then click "Back Up Now."

It will take a bit of time to do a full backup, so just sit tight in the meantime. For those with a ton of data you might not be able to complete the backup — you'll have to either transfer files (photos, etc.) via an Apple connector to a computer, delete a few apps you haven't used in awhile, or make room elsewhere.

You'll probably run into the same issue when trying to update iOS 7 if your device is near storage capacity, so you might want to clean house now.

Another area worth backing up is your iTunes library. Connect your device to a computer to sync with iTunes, but note this might be disabled if you have iCloud backup turned on. RIght-click the device in iTunes under Devices and select Back Up. You can also back it up by clicking the file menu and select Devices > Back Up.

Will you be downloading iOS 7 when it launches or will you be waiting until possible bugs are updated? Let us know in the comments below.

Hands On With iOS 7

OPEN GALLERY

Starting Up

From the moment iOS 7 loads, its clear this is different. The linen that infused iOS 5 and iOS 6 is gone, replaced with white and thin sans serif typography.

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Image: Apple