iOS 7 release date: How to update your device early

Today is the day that iOS 7 is finally set to be released and people are anxiously sitting with their devices in hand to see when the update is available. We previously highlighted the fact that the update will come in the early afternoon on the East Coast and late afternoon overseas, but there is a chance that you can update your device and get the new operating system before a majority of other Apple users.

How is that possible?

Thanks to ZD Net, we have some tips on how you can get the iOS  7 update before your friends:

1. First, perform a backup right now. Don’t wait for iOS 7 to land only to remember that you didn’t make a backup. Do it now, so that you’re ready to go as soon as iOS 7 hits your Settings app.This document explains how to backup your iPhone or iPad to iCloud (my preference) or to iTunes.
2. If you’re a registered developer (and impatient), you can download the GM (or “Golden Master”) version of the code right now. It’s been posted on Apple’s Developer Center since just after its media event on September 10. While the final release can sometime vary from GM code, it doesn’t happen that often.
3. One of its dirty little secrets is that Apple doesn’t push software updates automatically app very often. Sometimes you’ll get a push notification (or the red software-update-is-waiting badge on your Settings app) but most times you won’t. In order to get the iOS 7 update as soon as possible, manually touch Settings > General > Software Update and force it to check.

You can find the final steps of the process over at ZD Net.

Pretty cool, huh?

Now let’s all just sit back and wait for the update to arrive.

What feature are you looking forward to seeing the most when you make the update? Sound off in the comments section and share your thoughts.