Chapter 35. Updating the iPad Operating System
From a technical point of view, the iPad is nothing more than just a collection of parts that any company could slap together and package in a slim design. What makes the iPad unique is the software that makes everything in the iPad work. This software is called the operating system.
The iPad’s operating system is nearly identical to the operating system used in the iPhone, which itself is a modified version of the operating system used to control the Macintosh computer. Every so often Apple will release new features and new software for your iPad—and you can get these new features by updating your iPad’s operating system.
Changing or updating the operating system is like yanking out an old engine from your car and putting a new one in its place. Unlike changing the engine in your car, updating your iPad’s operating system is easy enough for anyone to do.
In this chapter, you will learn how to update your iPad’s operating system.
What You’ll Be Using
To update your iPad’s operating system, you need to use the following:
Checking for Operating System Updates
You can update your iPad’s operating system only through iTunes on your computer. To update the iPad operating system, follow these steps:
Connect your iPad to your computer through the USB cable.
Run iTunes on your Mac or Windows computer.
Click the name of your iPad in the Devices category in the left pane of the iTunes window. The right side of the iTunes window displays a list of tabs such as Info, Apps, and Summary.
Click the Summary tab. Your iPad’s operating system version appears at the Software Version label near the top of the screen, as shown in Figure 35-1.
Click Check for Update. If a new version of the operating system is available, you’ll be asked whether you want to download and install it. The update process can take time, so be prepared to wait. Don’t unplug your iPad from your computer until the installation is finished!
Note
If you click the Restore button, you can restore your iPad from your last backup. (Each time you connect your iPad to your computer, iTunes backs up your iPad data. See Chapter 10 for detailed instructions on resetting and restoring your iPad.)
Identifying Your Current Operating System
In case you’re curious to know exactly which version of the iPad’s operating system you have, you can check your iPad’s operating system version by following these steps:
From the Home screen, tap Settings. The Settings screen appears.
Tap General. The General settings screen appears.
Tap the About button. The About screen appears, listing information about the number of songs, videos, photographs, and apps stored on your iPad. The operating system version appears in the Version category, as shown in Figure 35-2.
Press the Home button. The Home screen appears.
Additional Ideas for Updating Your Operating System
Updating your iPad’s operating system takes time, but it’s simple for anyone to do. As a general rule, you always want the latest version of the operating system on your iPad because each new version tends to add additional features (while also stomping out any problems the previous operating system version might have had).
However, some people don’t like being the first to install the latest operating system because of possible incompatibilities with their computer. If you prefer playing it safe, consider waiting a few days after Apple announces a new operating system update and look for news reports of any problems with the latest operating system.
Occasionally a new version of the operating system will have a bug in it that might cause minor problems. If other people don’t have any problems updating their iPad’s operating system, then go ahead and update your iPad’s operating system as well. If things go really wrong, don’t forget—you can always restore or reset your iPad (see Chapter 10).