The latest update to iOS 5 is important for a number of reasons, the primary one being that it lets us users get a taste of how it is to be able to download software updates directly to our mobile device. This means update anytime, anywhere, without PC tethering.
One touted feature of iOS 5 for iPads, iPhone and iPod Touch is the wireless syncing and updating of your iDevice without having to be physically connected to your PC. Back in the day, it was simply a pain to download software updates via iTunes or even directly download the firmware- the perpetually busy iTunes server usually timed out on me just before the update was finished.
Of course, the prospect of a direct download now available on iOS 5 can be scary. A critical question is, how big a file is an update and how fast will it download and install? What about our data? What if it gets lost in the installation process? Having successfully updated to iOS 5.0.1 on my iPhone and iPad 2, here are some tips:
1) Back up your data, whether to iCloud or to your computer. You don’t want to lose your data!
2) The awesome thing about iOS5 is its wireless syncing feature, but you can still download the update via iTunes and connect your device to your computer. So if you want to do it the regular way, you still can.
3) If your want to download the update directly to your device, I suggest you ignore suggestions to download iOS 5.0.1 via iTunes on your computer while you download the update via your iDevice.
How to download direct to your device:
Ensure a stable internet connection. In my case, i did everything via my Myfi router on a prepaid sim.
1) Go to: Settings – General – Software Update
2) Check out the description of the changes in iOS 5.0.1. Tap on “Download and Update” and you will be prompted to agree to the terms and conditions from Apple, etc.
3) If your device is not connected to a power source and you have less than 50% battery remaining, you will receive a prompt reminding you to plug in your device.
4) Download time varies and also depends on the Internet connection – using my wireless portable wifi router, my iPhone took about 10-15 minutes, slightly longer than my iPad.
5) If you’re still not plugged in and you have less than 50% battery remaining, your device will refuse to install the update. So plug it in to avoid data loss, etc.
6) The update will take about 5-10 minutes to install, including the verification process with Apple’s server.
7) Don’t touch your device during this time. You will see the usual silver Apple logo while you wait, and a progress bar underneath which repeats itself until you just see the plain Apple logo.
8 ) The device will reset itself and start up as usual. However, in the case of my iPhone, it apparently reset the password for the wifi network I was connected to, which did not happen in the case of my iPad.
9) To verify if you’ve successfully updated your device, just go back to Software Update. You should get this message:
Have you updated to iOS 5.0.1? Was it smooth sailing for you?
Thank you! Really appreciated!
Great posting. Apple should have written it.
Thank you so much! 🙂
WTF will lose all my apps etc. if I update? why then would i?
What happened to your apps after the update? (updating your iphone without a PC) was it restored automatically?
Yes, restored automatically. 🙂
Well, I usually reset then restore my iPad from backup if via PC. BUT I’ve had messy backups before with my mom’s iPad and my own iPhone which apparently ended up wiping out my stuff. Just go to iTunes, then the name
Of your device on the left, do a right click of your device and hit back up.
Con someone tell me if it will save all your data on games, I want to keep all my data
Does it save data on apps plz reply asap
Ideally, it should save your data. Just make sure you don’t interfere with your iPhone or iPad while the update is being installed. To be safe, don’t forget to back up your existing data first before updating to a new iOS firmware.
Whenever I go into settings then general, software update does not come up.
Why is this and can you please tell me what to do? Thanks. Very appriciated!
Update to iOS 5 first 🙂
I updated on my Ipad 2 up to backing up and then was asked to restart the computer to complete the process and my Ipad went blank. I tried to restart my Ipad with no success. Please help!
Restart your iPad or the computer
to which your iPad is connected?
Would I lose data on my iPad2 if I upgrade to iOS 5.1? I have a lot of data on it.
Would I lose data on my iPad2 if I upgrade to iOS 5.1? I have a lot of data on it. Can you let me know. Thanks
Just make sure you do a full back-up first via iCloud or wirelessly to your computer via iTunes wifi sync. Personally, it’s safer to still back up your data physically and then once safely backed up, update via OTA.
Software Update is NOT in my settings how do I install iOS without this OR how do I get Software Update into my settings
You need to update to iOS 5 first 🙂
I have an iPad 1 which when going into Settings – General, I don’t have a Software Update. Please can you tell me how to update to 5.1.
I’m guessing that you need to download and update your iPad the usual way – by hooking up to iTunes. Once you’re on iOS 5 you can definitely update to later versions via wifi, just like what I did yesterday with my iPad and now with my iPhone. 🙂
ok totally confused! i do not have the software setting either so tell me in specific directions ow to update to iOS 5. I’ve tried hooking up to my desktop and all it does is keeps saying that its backing up my Ipad2. Need someone to help me with this!
It’s backing up your data which iTunes does automatically. Please look for the summary tab which tells you whether or not you need a software update.
I’m guessing that you need to download and update your iPad 2 the usual way. Once you’re on iOS 5 you can definitely update via wifi, just like what I did yesterday with my iPad and now with my iPhone. 🙂
It tells me I need an update but only gets halfway through says it can’t be done. I agree with Dee I need help with this.
Hi Dorothy! It looks like your internet connection and iTunes busy servers are not connecting fast enough, hence you are unable to update. Try downloading the iOS firmware direct to your computer I used this site before: http://osxdaily.com/2011/10/12/ios-5-download-available/ – it will download the firmware update without having to go through iTunes (which inevitably gets timed out). Once you’re finished downloading this file, hook up your iPad to iTunes. To install the update from the file and now download it all over again from iTunes, just hold down shift and then click on the restore/update option in iTunes, which is what I remember doing before. My memory is a bit vague on this part so I suggest you do further reasearch first. 🙂
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