iOS 10 release date, features and rumours: iOS 10 users no longer allowed to upgrade or downgrade to iOS 10.3.2

07/09/2016:Today could finally be the day the world gets to experience a full, finished version of iOS 10. The operating system is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, both of which should make their debut at Apple's Special Event in San Francisco, which starts at 6.00pm UK time.

At this point, the features of the new operating system are largely established -you can read more about the 10 most important updates here- but this will be the first time people get to experience the new OS on their own devices as a stable release.

To find out iOS 10's general release date, as well as all the news about the iPhone 7, Apple Watch 2 and macOS Sierra,follow our Apple Event Live Blog from 5.30pmBST.

06/09/2016:Despite the final version not yet being released, iOS 10 has already been jailbroken.

Luca Todesco, also known as qwertyoruiop, has uploaded avideoshowing a jailbreak of iOS 10 Beta 8. The jailbreak is known as yaluX and it works on iOS devices with an A7 and higher processor.

According to a report byiClarified, this is not the first jailbreak of iOS 10, as Pangu Team and iH8Sn0w have also demoed their jailbreaks too.

It is not known if the jailbreak is publicly available but the publication speculated that this would be released shortly after the operating system becomes available.

29/08/2016:Apple has confirmed its2016 Special Eventwill take place on 7 September. The event is expected to herald the launch of theiPhone 7,Apple Watch 2and a number of other devices. It could also be when the final release date of iOS 10 is announced.

The new mobile operating system is normally released at the same time as Apple's new flagship iPhone. For 2016 and iOS 10, this could mean either 7 September at the Apple keynote or 16 September when, according to reliable leaker Evan Blass, the iPhone 7 will go on sale - typically, the new versions iOS have become available at the same time as a new flagship iPhone is released.

IT Prowill be covering the Apple Special Event live on 7 September.

22/08/2016:The rapid release cycle for iOS 10 betas continues, with Developer Beta 7 and Public Beta 6 dropping over the weekend.

The betas feature "bug fixes and improvements", according to the release notes, but no major new features. This is not entirely surprising given the OS is set for release this autumn.

Indeed, if rumours are to be believed, the final version could be with us within two-to-three weeks, whenthe iPhone 7launches. Traditionally, Apple has launched the new mobile OS to the general public alongside its new flagship phone, which comes pre-loaded with the software.

It is generally expectedthis year's Special Eventwill take place in the second week of September, potentially Tuesday 13. The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus areanticipated to launch, alongside the Apple Watch 2 and a number of other devices.

iOS will work with iPhones and iPads, although the extent ofbackward compatibility is uncertain. With theiPhone 5shaving been superceded bythe iPhone SEthis spring, it's possible the stalwart 4in smartphone won't receive this latest update. Similarly, older iPad Minis and iPad Airs may also miss out.

10/08/2016:Just days after the release of the fourth Developer Beta, Apple has seeded Developer Beta 5 and Public Beta 4 within hours of each other. As with previous rounds, Beta 5 is a set of updates, rather than a single release for iOS 10 and applies tomacOS Sierra,watchOS 3andtvOS 10as well.

For iOS Developer Beta 5, Apple has introduced a number of new features for iPad and iPhone, the most notable of which are a significant overhaul of the Music app, with Control Center, Notification Center and Lock Screen all receiving a refresh as well.

According to9to5Mac, these changes include a new input icon in Apple Music and the rest of the iOS 10 interface, darker backgrounds for third-party widgets in the Notification Center (Apple's own widgets still have a translucent white background), and the locking sound for the device sounds "kind of like a door closing".

The release of iOS Developer Beta 5 is somewhat ahead of schedule, arriving just one week after the release of Developer Beta 4, whereas Apple normally leaves two weeks between releases. Public Beta 4 is even further ahead of schedule, in relative terms, arriving just a few hours after Developer Beta 5, rather than a full day.

iOS 10 is expected to launch in its final form in September, alongside theiPhone 7.

08/08/2016:With anticipation for theiPhone 7reaching fever pitch ahead of its September release date, plenty of people will be queuing to buy Apple's new flagship device as soon as it hits the shops.

But what about those of us who are stuck on older versions of the iPhone, or indeed the iPad? Will we still be able to take advantage of some of the smartphone's new features?

The answer is yes if you've got a device that will support iOS 10, the latest operating system that will run on the iPhone 7.

While plenty of the iPhone 7's expected benefits come from the hardware itself (such as the wireless headphones and improved battery life), many others come from iOS 10.

The OS includes 100 new emojis (currently available in its developer preview) and a much smarter Siri, as well as the ability to use a stylus or even your finger to handwrite messages to your friends.

There's just one catch -- you must have a compatible device. With operating systems becoming far chunkier and advanced, your phone must have the memory to run the OS and the hardware to support it.

The good news is, most iPhones and iPads do support iOS 10. Every iPhone from the iPhone 5 and upwards can run it, while iPad mini 2, 3 and 4 support it, as do the iPad Air and the iPad Air 2, as well as both iPad Pro models. Even the iPod touch 6thgeneration can run it.

Those with devices older than that, sadly you're going to have to upgrade in order to run iOS 10.