How to upgrade SMOOTHLY (I think...)

[Domino8282]

This is just my personal opinion based only on upgrading my iPhone 4 and iPad 2 to iOS 5.0, but I'd be curious to compare with others' experiences. To get a smooth, nearly ideal install:

1) Click on "Apps" in iTunes and download all updates.
2) Once those downloads have finished, sync your device.
3) Once the device has synced, after all apps are fully updated, right-click your device and click "Backup." (do it twice for sharts and giggles)
4) Now go into the settings tab under your device on iTunes and click "update now."
5) (maybe not important) Don't let your computer sleep/hibernate during the upgrade process.

Again, I only have two data points to compare here, but my iPhone update was a nightmare (iTunes froze completely multiple times, it couldn't find my most recent backup, ended up restoring as a new device). With my iPad, it was perfect.

On the phone, I was actually midway through syncing and had only partially downloaded app updates when I clicked the "Update Now" button under Settings and started the iOS update. I'd be curious to see if others agree/disagree with my assessment. Could all be voodoo hocus pocus,... try for yourself and let me know.

 

[greytmom]

My process was as follows:

Update iTunes yesterday.

Update Lion today.

Begin iOS process:

Sync iPhone before updating
Put iPhone in Airplane mode, then update
(Server were busy, so had to restart update twice)
After update and restore, sync again and turn on wi-fi sync
Disconnect and set up iCloud on device

Start with the next iPhone. Do same steps as above.

Start with the first iPad.

Save the other iPad for tomorrow because i need to go to bed. LOL

But you are right about the length of time - took much longer to do the phones than it did the iPad.

 

[Prodo123]

My process:
1. Update Lion & iTunes
2. Download update DMG through torrents/direct links/mirrors
3. Sync/backup
4. Do a shift-restore-update
Takes less time than sticking around for 8 hours for the download to finish

 

[Domino8282]

Interesting... so I'm wondering if initiating the update (clicking update now) midway through a sync is messing people up.

Is there anybody around who did a full sync with completely updated apps, allowed the sync to completely finish, initiated the update and then still had it go to hell?

 

[Prodo123]

Interesting... so I'm wondering if initiating the update (clicking update now) midway through a sync is messing people up.

No, it has been confirmed that Apple servers are taking a friggin' big strain from all the activations. I think one crashed.

 

[LetMeBlastU]

Fml.....

 

[BigDukeSix]

I am waiting another day or two for the servers to calm down. I will follow the above instructions. I only have SL, so no update there. I have already updated all my apps, updated iTunes, and performed multiple backups of my iPhone. My only question is, why is putting it in airplane mode important? Just curious.
I will come back and let you know how it turns out.

 

[greytmom]

My only question is, why is putting it in airplane mode important? Just curious.

So no one can call or text you in the middle of the update process.