iOS 5 has hit the stage , and eager users everywhere are getting ready to upgrade their devices . If you ’re concerned about the upgrade process , or simply want to bed all your setup options before making the big switch , lease us help you upgrade your iPhone , iPod touch , or iPad to iOS 5 with this step - by - step templet .
What devices will run iOS 5?
Before we get into the raise outgrowth itself , you ’ll want to check that you really have a compatible twist . Because of new features and raise graphic animation , Io 5 may require more processing power than your twist offer ; as such , Apple has circumscribe the operating system to the undermentioned models :
iPhone example : iPhone 3GS , iPhone 4 , iPhone 4S
iPad model : iPad ( no reenforcement for Multitasking Gestures , though ) , iPad 2
Once you update to iOS 5, you have to run through a short series of steps to get your device up and running.
iPod touch theoretical account : iPod touch modality ( third propagation ) , iPod touch ( quaternary generation )
If you have an original iPhone , iPhone 3 G , or first- or second - propagation iPod touch , you ’ll have to beat with your current translation of iOS . ( Which , if you remember some of the hullabaloo over the iPhone 3 G running iOS 4 , may be the better choice . )
Ready, set, prep
Now that you ’ve double - learn that your gadget is open of running iOS 5 , here ’s what you need to advance : your iPhone , iPod touch sensation , or iPad ; your information processing system ; and thelatest version of iTunes . ( If you do n’t have it , you’re able to download itfrom Apple ’s website . )
Macworldalso suggests that you make a backup of your gimmick before proceed : If you ’re doing a straight update , a backup prevents you from lose any data point in case something goes wonky down the line ; if you ’re doing a full restore of your machine before you install iOS 5 , you ’ll need a late backup to recover your information .
To make a backup , connect your gadget to your computer via USB , unfastened iTunes , pick out your gadget , and crusade the Sync button . This should mechanically upgrade your iTunes backup with any extra relavent information . If your gimmick is already plug into your computer , you could also control - tap the equipment in the iTunes Source List and take Back Up from the subsequent dip - down menu .
Update your device
In theory , when you open iTunes with a compatible twist link , you ’ll be prompted to download iOS 5 . In recitation , this may not look mechanically — the update may not have automatically propagated to the host your transcript of iTunes check with , or iTunes may have hiccupped . But never fear : you may force iTunes to curb for an update by chatter on the Check For Update button in the Summary pane for your gadget .
presume that everything is working properly , iOS 5 should set out download from the iTunes server to your figurer . you may do other tasks while waiting for the download to ending ; once it does , your equipment will re-start and commence installing the software program .
If you ’d like torestoreyour twist — that is , do a fresh install of iOS 5 and then re - upload your backed up context — you’ll need to click the Restore push alternatively of Check For Update . You ’ll download iOS 5 , like above , but instead of doing a verbatim update from iOS 4 to iOS 5 , your machine will bushel itself to factory preferences before installing the new OS .
The post-PC walkthrough
Once you update to iOS 5 , you have to run through a short serial publication of step to get your equipment up and running .
Unlike premature iOS upgrades , once the software eat up installing , you may activate and set everything up directly on the gimmick itself — no figurer interposition necessary . ( Any subsequent iOS updates can even be done over - the - air , as mention later in this article . )
Once the update fetch up installing , you ’re recognise with a welcome blind exhibit the content “ Slide to fructify up ” in a variety of different languages . ( If you need quick access to your gimmick ’s IMEI or ICCID identification number without wind up the setup , you could tap the data button located directly above the luger . )
To begin the apparatus process , you ’re asked if you ’d wish to enable Location Services . This allows Apple apps ( and third - party apps ) to get at your location via Wi - Fi meshing and your Global Positioning System ( Global Positioning System ) placement .
Did you restore your device?
you may set up your equipment from scrape , or restore it from a backup .
If you ’re update from a clean slating , you ’ll take to decide whether you require to lay out your gadget up from excoriation , furbish up it from an iCloud backup , or restore from an iTunes backup . ( If you ’re updating from iOS 4 , you may ignore this division . )
Chances are — unless you ’re a developer — that if you ’re update to iOS 5 on launching mean solar day , you have n’t used iCloud ’s Backup feature to keep a copy of your gadget ’s configurations . And , since iOS 4 devices ca n’t even back up to iCloud , the only way you could use this feature would be to doctor your gadget using the backup of another gadget currently running iOS 5 .
Once you update to iOS 5, you have to run through a short series of steps to get your device up and running.
All that said , if you have an iCloud invoice , have made a backup of adifferentiOS 5 - enabled gimmick , and want to restore this image to yourcurrentdevice , you could do so by tap Restore From iCloud Backup . Sign into your account , agree to Apple ’s terminus and conditions , then choose which backup filing cabinet you ’d care to use , and tap the blue Restore clit in the top right-hand corner of the blind . ( look on the speed of your Wi - Fi connection , this process can take anywhere from a few bit to a few hours . )
More probably , you ’ll require to restore from the iTunes backup you made before downloading iOS 5 . ( You did make a musical accompaniment , right ? ) To do so , tapdance Restore From iTunes Backup , and you ’ll be brought to the Connect to iTunes screen . Assuming you ’ve stay on connected to your computer , just unfastened iTunes ( if you have n’t , re - join your twist ) . After select your equipment , you ’ll see the Set Up YourDevicescreen , which asks if you ’d like to fix it up from scratch or restore from a specific backup . pick out restore , select the late backup from the drop - down computer menu , and tick the Continue button to proceed . ( This process is importantly quick than an iCloud restore , as you ’re channelise data over USB , rather than via Wi - Fi . )
Associate an Apple ID
Your Apple ID is an email name and address : one you already utilize , or a novel email you create on the spot .
Before carry on your frame-up — whether you ’re setting up your twist from scratch or doing a simple upgrade — you need to determine if you ’re die to link your Apple ID with this machine . You ’ll use your Apple ID to bribe music , apps , books from the iBookstore , and associate it with iCloud ( if you choose to ) .
practice your current Apple ID : Already have an Apple ID ? rap the Sign In With An Apple ID clit and go into your username ( ordinarily your email reference ) and password . Apple will then pass a few moments linking your gimmick to your Apple ID .
You can set up your device from scratch, or restore it from a backup.
signalize up for a new Apple ID : If you do n’t have an Apple ID , it ’s easy enough to make one by tap the Create A Free Apple ID button . You ’ll need to go in your natal day , name , your e-mail address ( or create a new iCloud email address ) , a password , a surety question ( in case you draw a blank your password ) , and whether you ’d like to have electronic mail updates from Apple .
No Apple ID for me : If you ’d rather not set up an Apple ID , you may intercept the Skip This Step tie-in in the broken right corner . you may always add or create one from the configurations app later , but observe that you wo n’t be able-bodied to buy anything on the iTunes Store or localize up iCloud until you do .
To the cloud… and beyond
If you want to keep your iPhone 4S in sync with your computer and other iOS equipment , back it up remotely , and find it when it ’s been lost , you may enable iCloud .
If you ’ve chosen to place up or register an Apple ID , you may also enable iCloud on your equipment . iCloud is an umbrella term for Apple ’s collection of sync military service , and leave you to synchronize your exposure , apps , contacts , calendar , and mail across multiple devices .
opt to set up iCloud , and you ’ll first be involve whether you ’d like to enable iCloud backups for your equipment . If you do so , you may have your gimmick back up all essential setting to your iCloud account ; if you ever postulate to restore , you may do so over Wi - Fi without an extra computer . you’re able to also elect to have your equipment back up to your computer using iTunes . Additionally , you ’ll be asked whether you ’d wish to prefer - in to iCloud ’s Find Mydeviceservice . This will enable location monitoring for your machine , appropriate you to notice it using your Apple ID and the regain My iPhone app , should it go missing .
Your Apple ID is an email address: one you already use, or a new email you create on the spot.
Once you end the frame-up outgrowth , you ’ll be ask if you ’d like to send Apple anonymous diagnostics and exercise information ( standardized to a desktop wreck report ) . And with that , praise ! You ’re quick to begin using iOS 5 .
The future of iOS updates
This may be the last time you have to go through iTunes to upgrade your iOS machine , thanks to iOS 5 ’s new Software Update feature . With it , you ’ll be capable to download all future software update over - the - air travel .
Install updates on your equipment : If you ’ve ever used an iOS gimmick before , you ’re probably fairly familiar with the summons of downloading app updates from the App Store app : When a little red badge appear in the upper good corner of the App Store icon , you open up the App Store , navigate to the Updates pill , and download your app updates all at once , or one by one . The Software Update process for iOS 5 is remarkably similar ; but or else of fail to the App Store , you go to the preferences app for any organisation update .
Like the App Store , your gadget perpetually check for new software update in the background . When one is useable , you see a crimson badge appear on the configurations app ; to download it , start the app and navigate to General - > Software Update . There , you see some brief data about the update and a clitoris to set up it . you could also draw the system to curb for an update by navigating to the Software Update pane .
If you want to keep your iPhone 4S in sync with your computer and other iOS devices, back it up remotely, and find it when it’s been lost, you can enable iCloud.
Because these iOS updates are “ delta updates ” ( they contain only the part of the system that have changed , so you do n’t have to download the entire scheme each fourth dimension there is an update ) , they ’re smaller ; therefore , you’re able to download them just about anywhere you have a nice 3 yard or Wi - Fi connection — on the bus , at home , walking down the street , you name it . To establish these updates , however , you need to have at least 50 pct battery life on your gimmick , or have it plugged into a power source .
And just as a friendly monitor : Even though you’re able to install these update anywhere , you should always ( always , always ) back up your machine before you do . you may use Wi - Fi Sync to back up to your reckoner , or , if you have iCloud Backup enable , you may apply that .
Install Updates from Your Computer : Maybe you ’re not that adventurous , and you ’d favour to install your software update the old - fashioned way . No trouble : Just connect your gadget to your reckoner and checker for updates in iTunes . ( If you ’re using Wi - Fi Sync , you could also do this by plugging your gadget into a power source and get in touch it and your computer to the same Wi - Fi connection , and then open iTunes . )
[ Serenity Caldwell is a staff editor for Macworld . ]
