How to Update Your iOS Device Without Hooking It Up
When iOS 5 was announced, it was revealed that you'd be able to update your device without having to physically connect it to iTunes. We'll show you how easy this really is.
To check for available iOS updates, navigate to Settings > General > Software Update. If a software update is available, you will see a description of the available update as well as a button labeled "Update Now". Clicking this button will begin downloading the update.
When the update has been downloaded, you will be prompted to restart your device in order to start the update process. During the restart, a status bar will display the install status. This process is very similar to updating your device through iTunes. Once the update has finished installing, your device will boot into iOS 5.
Follow this article’s author, Cory Bohon on Twitter.
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Aristocat
October 14, 2011 at 7:46am
Set my IPhone 4 up to do this, but alas, an error occurs because I lack the space to download the upgrades.... it appears that a full IPhone is not capable to do an update in this fashion.
Vitaliy
October 14, 2011 at 6:49am
And all the music will stay on its place? So there will actually be no backup during update?
Cooltrain
October 14, 2011 at 12:17am
I have an ipad2 and iPhone 3GS with iOS 4.3.5. Should this method work? The software update option isn't showing up under settings. And if a more recent version of iOS than 4.3.5 is required, it would be great if you'd update this very short article.
ttaylor394
October 14, 2011 at 1:17pm
You HAVE to have the new iOS, that is iOS 5. Im not sure if a 3gs will accept it, the iPad 2 definitely will. But in order to sync over wifi you have to update the phone to the new iOS after downloading it in iTunes
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