iOS 9 GM
The GM version of iOS 9 will likely be identical to the final release on 16 September Apple

Apple has rolled out the Golden Master (GM) release of iOS 9, a week ahead of its public release. With the iOS 9 public release set for 16 September, it is almost certain that the GM version will contain the same code and features as the final release.

In addition, the iPhone maker has released the first public beta of iOS 9.1 with several reports suggesting that the newly announced iPad Pro will ship with iOS 9.1 in November. Bearing the build number 13A340, the iOS 9 GM brings the same features that are pre-installed on the newly unveiled iPhone 6s and 6s Plus.

iOS 9 was unveiled at the keynote of Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2015 in June, revealing a number of new features and improvements. Some noteworthy features ported into iOS 9 including hidden features and several subtle UI changes are listed below:

  • Proactive Assistant and smart Siri,
    • Transit directions for Maps
  • New multitasking features for the iPad
  • A completely redesigned Notes app
    • All-new News app
    • Battery life improvements with new Low Power mode

Interested users may check out the device compatibility list for running iOS 9 GM:

  • iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5, iPhone 4S
  • iPad Air 2, iPad Air, iPad 4, iPad mini, iPad 3, iPad 2
  • iPad mini 3, Retina iPad mini (iPad mini 2), iPad mini
  • 5th generation iPod touch, 6th generation iPod touch,

It is not yet clear if Apple would first release the public beta or directly push the final release in the next few days. Nevertheless, users who want to upgrade to the latest iOS software will need to perform a clean install of iOS 9 GM via iOS Dev Center, as all GM builds are hardcoded to prevent direct upgrade from previous betas.

Curious users may check out a step-by-step guide posted below to install iOS 9 GM on their iOS device, using iTunes:

Members of the iOS Developer Program with or without the registered UDIDs can also install iOS 9 GM on their iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, using the step-by-step guide posted below.

Key points to remember

  1. It is mandatory to enroll yourself into the Apple's iOS Developer Program with an annual membership plan of $99 per year before you can get access to the developer preview or beta versions of the new iOS.
  2. As the beta versions are often untested, it may harbour some unknown bugs or broken features. Users are advised to proceed at their own risk.
  3. Back up your important data and settings on your iOS device via iCloud or iTunes before you upgrade to iOS 9 GM.
  4. iOS 9 GM is officially compatible with the following devices only:
  • iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5, iPhone 4S
  • iPad Air 2, iPad mini 3, iPad Air, Retina iPad mini, iPad with Retina Display (iPad 4, iPad 3), iPad 2, iPad mini
  • iPod touch (5th generation)

Preparing the device for installing iOS 9 GM via registered UDID

  • Login with your Apple ID and password into the iOS Developer Member Center, and then click on Certificates, Identifiers and Profiles.
  • Select Devices from the left navigational panel under iOS Apps.
  • Click the "+" button to add your iOS device to the registered list.
  • Enter the UDID of the iOS device, which is a 40-digit hex character string. The UDIDs can be found either via Xcode or iTunes:
    • Xcode method: Connect your device to a Mac and then launch Xcode. In Xcode, go to the Window drop down menu and choose Organiser. The device's UDID should now become visible. Just double-click on it to highlight the same and then tap Command and C keys together to copy the UDID to your computer's clipboard.
    • iTunes method: Connect the iOS device to your Mac and launch iTunes. In iTunes, highlight the iOS device under Devices section and go to the Summary tab. Now click on the Serial Number label which will reveal the Identifier field and the 40 hex-character UDID. Right-click on the UDID and then select Copy Identifier (UDID) to copy it to the clipboard.
    • Return to the iOS Developer Member Center and enter the name of your iOS Device and paste the UDID which you just copied in the previous step. Then hit the Continue button.
    • Review the details on prompt and then hit the Register button. Finally, hit Done to complete the registration process for your iOS device.

Downloading iOS Software

  • You can download the official versions of iOS 9 GM from the Member Center.
  • Click on SDKs, before choosing iOS 9.
  • Click on Download button in the top right corner.
  • Choose the iOS device from the drop down menu.
  • Once the file is successfully downloaded, just double-click on the zip file to extract the ".ipsw" file.
  • Verify that the latest version of iTunes is installed.

How to Install iOS 9 GM on iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch via registered UDID using iTunes

  • Download iOS 9 GM from the iOS Dev Center via iOS 8 beta section or use the direct download links above.
  • Once you have downloaded the iOS 9 GM zip file, just extract the .ipsw file using a file-extraction tool.
  • Make sure the latest version of iTunes is installed on your computer.
  • Connect your iOS device to Mac via USB cable and launch iTunes.
  • In iTunes, select the iOS device from the top right corner and select the Summary tab.
  • Now hold down the Option key (Mac) or Shift key (Windows) and click the Update button on your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch.
  • Right-click .ipsw file from the extracted folder and click Open to begin installing iOS 9 GM.
  • Now click OK to confirm and let iTunes update your device with iOS 9.
  • Once the device reboots, just swipe the 'Slide to upgrade' slider to complete the installation.
  • Your device may reboot once again and then you will see the welcome screen.
  • Now swipe on the Slide to set up slider and hit Continue. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete setting up your device for first use.

Your device is now running iOS 9 GM and you can start testing its new apps and features.

iOS 9 GM (direct download links)

  • iPad Air 2
  • iPad Air 2 (Wi-Fi + Cellular)
  • iPad Air (5th generation WiFi + Cellular)
  • iPad Air (5th generation WiFi)
  • iPad (4th generation CDMA)
  • iPad (4th generation GSM)
  • iPad (4th generation WiFi)
  • iPad mini (CDMA)
  • iPad mini (GSM)
  • iPad mini (WiFi)
  • iPad mini 2 (WiFi + Cellular)
  • iPad mini 2 (WiFi)
  • iPad Mini 3
  • iPad Mini 3 (WiFi + Cellular)
  • iPad 3 Wi-Fi (3rd generation)
  • iPad 3 Wi-Fi + Cellular (model for ATT)
  • iPad 3 Wi-Fi + Cellular (model for Verizon)
  • iPad 2 Wi-Fi (Rev A)
  • iPad 2 Wi-Fi
  • iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G (GSM)
  • iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G (CDMA)
  • iPhone 6
  • iPhone 6 Plus
  • iPhone 5 (CDMA)
  • iPhone 5 (GSM)
  • iPhone 5c (CDMA)
  • iPhone 5c (GSM)
  • iPhone 5s (CDMA)
  • iPhone 5s (GSM)
  • iPhone 4s
  • iPod touch (5th generation)

How to install iOS 9 GM on iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch without registered UDID

  1. Connect the device to computer via USB cable.
  2. Launch iTunes on computer
  3. Press and hold the Option key (Shift for Windows) and click Update or Check For Update in iTunes.
  4. Select the iOS 9 IPSW file you downloaded earlier (direct download links) from the popup window and let iTunes update your device with new iOS 9 firmware.

[Source: Redmond Pie]

More about iOS 9
Apple IPhone IPad