Apple on Monday made iOS 9.3 publicly available for download. It’s the first major dot release to iOS 9 since iOS 9.2.1 and brings several new features and well as an important security fix.

If you have not updated your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to iOS 9.3 yet, you may want to do so as soon as possible. Apart from new features, including Night Shift, password protection for Notes, new 3D Touch Quick Actions, and more, iOS 9.3 fixes a critical security flaw in iMessages.

The security flaw allows hackers to potentially break the encryption applied to photos and videos sent via the iMessage app on iPhones and iPads. In order for the fix to be effective, both the sender and recipient need to be using iOS 9.3, so encourage friends and family to update their devices as well.

Before you update to iOS 9.3, make sure you have a backup of your device and have enough space for the update to install. Follow the steps below:

How to update your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch to iOS 9.3

By now you may have received a notification on your device that the iOS 9.3 update is available. If not, check your Settings app for a small red alert badge letting you know the update is there.

Step 1: Backup your data. Backup your photos, videos, music, settings, contacts and other important bits of data before installing the new OS. You can use iTunes or iCloud to backup your device.

Backup your device using iTunes

• Check that you are using the latest version of iTunes.
• Connect your iOS device to your computer and launch iTunes.
• Click on Summary in the sidebar, and then click on Back Up Now.
• Once the backup has completed, click on iTunes > Preferences > Devices.
• Find the backup for your device and Control-click that backup. Now select Archive.

This will create a local archived copy of the backup, from which you can restore your device should you need to.

Backup your device using iCloud

• Connect your device to a Wi-Fi network.
• Tap Settings > iCloud > Backup.
• Make sure that iCloud Backup is turned on.
• Tap Back Up Now. Stay connected to your Wi-Fi network until the process completes.
• Make sure the backup finished by tapping Settings > iCloud > Storage > Manage Storage, and then select your device. The backup you just made should appear in the details with the time and backup size.

Step 2: Connect to a charger and a strong, stable Wi-Fi network. Or, connect your device to your computer with the latest version of iTunes installed and launch iTunes.

Step 3: Update over the air (OTA) or via iTunes. To update OTA, tap Settings > General > Software Update > click Download and Install. To update via iTunes, select your device from the list (assuming you have more than one) > click Check for Updates under Summary.

Step 4: Free up space for iOS 9.3. If you do not have enough free space for the update, your device will prompt you to make space by offering to temporarily delete apps and automatically reinstall them after the update. Or, you can manually free up space on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

(Optional) Step 5: Schedule the update. If you cannot stand being unable to use your iPhone even for a short period of time, you have the option to schedule the update to install overnight. Simply download the update, schedule it and make sure your device is plugged in.

Not convinced you need iOS 9.3? Check out our full overview of all the new features in iOS 9.3.

Screenshot: SiliconANGLE via Apple