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How do I update the firmware on my Apple iPad?

A friend who also has an Apple iPad told me that there's a software / firmware update to the iPad, but when I go to the App Store on my iPad and check for updates, I don't see it's available. How do I update my iPad's operating system firmware?


Dave's Answer:

That's an interesting question because you highlight something that can be a bit tricky for iPad owners if they don't frequently connect their iPad to a computer: the only way you can update the iPad firmware is to hook it up to your computer and actually let your computer do the work.

The "App Store" on the iPad updates applications on the device, but cannot update the device itself. You're right that if you're running, say, 3.2 and want to update to iPad operating system 3.2.1, you're stuck if you don't hook it up and sync it with a Mac or PC.

I've had mine a while so I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think you can proceed very far with an iPad initially without hooking it up to a computer, so probably you already have a Windows machine or Mac OS X system that is the "master" system. Yes?

If so, here's how things should proceed with an iPad firmware update...

First off, to see what version of the iPad system you're running, on the Apple iPad, tap on Settings -> General -> About. You'll see all sorts of useful information:

ipad firmware software update version before

As you can see, I start out this update process with iPad system version 3.2.

When I hook up my iPad to my MacBook Pro and pop into iTunes, the system already knows that there's an update available and lets me know:

ipad firmware software update 1

I choose "Download and Install" and find out that, uh oh, there's some stuff on the iPad that I haven't copied onto my computer. It shouldn't matter since a firmware update doesn't wipe the iPad clean, but let's assume that the Apple folk know what they're talking about and back up my purchased apps.

ipad firmware software update 2

To back up my purchases I'm going to share with you a little iTunes secret: You can Ctrl-Click on your iPad entry in iTunes and find that there are some interesting menu items that aren't part of the usual interaction (this holds true for iPhones and iPods too, btw!):

ipad firmware software update 3

Chose "Transfer Purchases" and after a moment or two you're left kinda back where we started:

ipad firmware software update 4

Click on "Update" and now we can proceed...

ipad firmware software update 5

iOS 3.2.1 sounds good. Click on "Update" and then check out what Apple's sharing with us in terms of what's in this particular update:

ipad firmware software update 6

It's all good, Mr. Jobs. :-) Click on "Next" and...

ipad firmware software update 7

Ummm... err... yeah, okay. Click on "Next" again.

ipad firmware software update 8

Meanwhile, in the iTunes window you can see that things are indeed progressing, though it took me about five minutes to download this iOS firmware update:

ipad firmware software update 9

Once it's downloaded, you see it unpack:

ipad firmware software update 10

Verify it's correct (through what's called a checksum algorithm. Google it if you're curious, it's pretty slick stuff)

ipad firmware software update 11

Now it's time for iTunes to take over control of the iPad:

ipad firmware software update 12

Transfer the new firmware onto the iPad:

ipad firmware software update 13

Make sure nothing got messed up along the way:

ipad firmware software update 14

And actually install the new firmware on your iPad:

ipad firmware software update 15

Finally, it's done. Time to reboot the iPad:

ipad firmware software update 16

That's all there is to it. Lots of steps, but really, it's pretty darn easy. Oh, and when you're done, go back to Settings -> General -> About and you should find that you now have the newer firmware:

ipad firmware software update version after

That's everything. Good luck with the update, and thanks for keeping things up-to-date, Apple. Now about that iPhone 4...



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Comments

Yikes! I now have all my iphone apps on my ipad.

Posted by: Scott Nelson at August 8, 2010 12:24 PM

I have something to say, now that you mention it, but ...
Starbucks coffee cup I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you for all your efforts on this Web site by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!











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