Apple is expected to roll out its latest iOS 8.1.3 update next week, according to sources familiar with the company’s plans. The release is likely to fix outstanding issues ahead of a bigger iOS 8.2 update, but it’s currently unclear whether the software will be beta tested before reaching the public.
“We’ve been told that Apple is planning on releasing an iOS 8 software update sometime next week,” BGR reports. “Whether it’s a beta seed or a public release, our source couldn’t confirm, but the company is currently planning on making a move around Tuesday or Wednesday.”
Strengthening these claims is a report from iDownloadBlog, which notes a “very clear spike of traffic yesterday emanating from devices running iOS 8.1.3 on Apple’s networks.” MacRumors is also reporting the same, and says this update was made available to select retail employees last Wednesday.
This explains the iOS 8.1.3 web traffic spikes, and indicates Apple is close to making the software available to its users. The company doesn’t traditionally beta test smaller releases like these, so it won’t be at all surprising to see the software seeded to the public without a developer preview.
With that said, you may want to keep an eye on the Software Update section inside your Settings app early next week — unless you’re a jailbreaker, in which case you’ll want to avoid this update for the time being.