Raleighite.com

This guide is intended to provide assistance on the basis of goodwill to the consumer. Raleighite.com, Tech Hero, and the author do not accept any responsibility for anything that happens to your device or data resulting from following this guide.

This guide is meant for two different things. Firstly this guide will show you how to update your iPhone to iOS5, and this guide will also show you how to backup your data so you can transfer it to your new iPhone 4S that you might be getting for Christmas. To all tech heads out there this will be a great article for you to have to help out family members who have iPhones as well.

Let’s get started. First you’ll need to make sure your computers version of iTunes is updated to the most current version. To do that simply launch iTunes and then click “Help” then “Check for updates”. iTunes will launch the updater. Only choose files that pertain to iTunes and tell it to run the update. This can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour depending on your internet connection, and how long its been since you’ve updated iTunes. After the update it’s a good idea to restart your computer.

Once your computer comes back online relaunch iTunes. It might take a few seconds if it has to rebuild its library files from the update. Using an Apple iPod cord connect your phone to your computer via a USB port. It may take a few minutes for iTunes to recognize your iPhone, this goes double if its the first time you’ve connected your iPhone to your computer.

You should see your iPhone listed in iTunes on the left side navigation bar with your playlists. Right click the iPhone and choose “Back Up” this will take a few minutes to perform so you can go do something else and come back and check periodically. After its complete left click the iPhone and the browser should show you your phone’s information, below that should be a box with your current operating system and a “Check for Updates” button. Click the update button and the program will start the update process. WATCH PROGRESS VERY CAREFULLY! There is a common problem where the phone’s update will fail once it gets to the part where it tries to authenticate with Apple’s servers. This is caused by the update server being pinged by too many people at once, and you’ll have to keep restarting the update process until it goes through. After it gets past the authentication you should be good to go. The phone should restart at least once, mine had to do it twice.

Unplug your iPhone from your computer AFTER iTunes indicates the update is complete (note make sure your phone indicates its done updating as well before disconnecting). Your phone will restart and you should see iOS 5, and you’ll also notice all your stuff got deleted. DO NOT WORRY!!!

Everyone I’ve guided through the process of upgrading iOS5 always is freaking out at this point because they think all their data is gone. Its actually all backed up! Just plug your phone back into your computer and let it restore all the software onto your computer. If any music, apps, movies, ect are missing that your purchased through iTunes simply re-download them by navigating to the purchased tab in the iTunes store and it will let you re-download any thing you’ve ever purchased through the iTunes store for free.

Did you get to help your family out this Christmas with their iPhone?