How Do I Update My iPad or iPhone to iOS 5.1?

There are now two way to update the firmware on your iPad or iPhone. One way is through iTunes as you have done in the past and the new way is through the Settings menu on the iPad. Paul Johnson recommends doing the upgrade through iTunes so you can backup your iPad before doing the update.
A note of caution! Always search and read reviews and blogs before updating to any new firmware because sometimes there are more bugs than there are fixes or new features added. Some apps can break if not compatible with the new update. Always check, especially the ones you purchase, to see if they are compatible with the new firmware. Sometimes it just a matter of updating the app after the upgrade to get it back up and running.

How To Update To iOS 5.1 on iPad 2 With iTunes


NOTE: iTunes 10.6 - iOS 5.1 was released to the general public on March 8, to upgrade to iOS 5.1 on your iPad 2, you will first need to upgrade iTunes 10.6, You can also update using the Apple Update manager, from Help > Check For Updates.


1. Backup & Sync
If you want to keep your photos, music, apps and contacts , this is the most important thing to do before you upgrade to iOS5.1

How to start an iPad backup:
Plug your iPad into your computer
Launch iTunes
Select your iPad in the ‘DEVICES’ list
Right-Click on your iPad
Select “Back Up”
Wait for iPad backup to complete
Select “Sync”
Wait for iPad sync to complete.

This will create a backup of your iPad that you will be able to restore from later (after updating to iOS 5.1), and the procedure is the same in Mac OS or Windows. It is always a good idea to create a current backup before you update to any iOS version.
also backing up an iPhone, iPod, iPod Touch, or iPad, is all the same process and handled through iTunes in the exact same way.

2. Update...
You are now ready to update your iPad, in order to update, you should go to ” Summary Page” and click “check for update” follow the instructions and after your iPad reboots, you should be on iOS 5.1, in case if you want to double check the you are on iOS 5.1, go to Settings.app > General > About > and you should see 5.0 beside “Version”

3. Restore...
After updating to iOS 5.1, iTunes should automatically ask you if you want to restore from backup or set up as a new device, you should go with the first one and choose your latest backup. However here is how to restore from backup manually:

· Connect your iPad to the computer and launch iTunes
· Right-Click on the iPad and select “Restore from Backup”
· You’ll see the “Last Synced” time and iPad name to restore to
· Click ‘Restore’


How To Update To iOS 5.1 on iPad 2 Without iTunes
If you want update iOS 5.1 without iTunes and computer (Mac or PC),
1) Go to “Settings”
2) Click “General”
3) Click “Software Update”
4) Click “Download and Install”
5) Click “Done”
6) Click “OK”
7) Waiting…….
Click “Install”
9) Waiting …..
10 ) Done.