iPad Pro iPad OS Size Updating from iTunes Versus OTA from Device?

[magneeto]

This has been a problem that has been bugging me since a long time now. Why is it that Everytime I try to update the iOS/iPad OS via iTunes the Size is some Nonsense Size and from the device itself it is only few MB ? Like for e.g. I just updated my iPad OS to 14.5.1 and the size to update via iTunes it was telling me 5.44 GB can you believe it ? And OTA from the device it was showing some 128 MB only !

Why is this ? why is such a huge discrepancy over updating from iTunes Versus OTA from the Device ?

 

[ericwn]

I’ll take your word on the numbers, and could understand the difference if the iOS device is just loading the changed content while iTunes loads you a fresh copy of the entire iOS install, in case you need to restore it at any stage.

 

[magneeto]

I’ll take your word on the numbers, and could understand the difference if the iOS device is just loading the changed content while iTunes loads you a fresh copy of the entire iOS install, in case you need to restore it at any stage.

I was told it is always advisable to update through iTunes versus OTA because through iTunes you get a 100% efficient update where in nothing is missed. Whereas OTA is not a 100% reliable Update so always update VIA iTunes is what someone told me years back.

 

[chrfr]

I was told it is always advisable to update through iTunes versus OTA because through iTunes you get a 100% efficient update where in nothing is missed. Whereas OTA is not a 100% reliable Update so always update VIA iTunes is what someone told me years back.

There's generally no need to update your device in iTunes. There are hundreds of millions of iOS devices, and most of them never connect to iTunes but get updated successfully. When you update from your computer, you're always downloading the full operating system. On the device, only the changed parts get updated. It's much more efficient.

 

[ericwn]

I was told it is always advisable to update through iTunes versus OTA because through iTunes you get a 100% efficient update where in nothing is missed. Whereas OTA is not a 100% reliable Update so always update VIA iTunes is what someone told me years back.

I think that’s more myth than fact. Apple cut the need for iTunes nine versions or so back. I have updated without Mac involvement for years without a single issue. Look at how many people use iOS devices these days - they’re not all owning a PC or a Mac either.

 

[magneeto]

It's much more efficient.

But is it Full Proof and 100% Intact as in nothing Missed or Left Out ?

 

[chrfr]

But is it Full Proof and 100% Intact as in nothing Missed or Left Out ?

You end up with the same updated OS, yes. Apple isn't leaving out features or functionality. Apple assumes most people are going to update on the device.

 

[VineRider]

But is it Full Proof and 100% Intact as in nothing Missed or Left Out ?

Nothing is missed or left out. The install does a verification to ensure the files are intact and have not been altered or corrupted.

 

[magneeto]

You end up with the same updated OS, yes. Apple isn't leaving out features or functionality. Apple assumes most people are going to update on the device.

Because what would take me hardly few minutes to update via OTA on the device with the 5.44 GB update via iTunes and with my Internet Speed it takes me 3 hours to update and I am sitting here thinking WTF is this ??

 

[chrfr]

Because what would take me hardly few minutes to update via OTA on the device with the 5.44 GB update via iTunes and with my Internet Speed it takes me 3 hours to update and I am sitting here thinking WTF is this ??

Yes, stop wasting your time and bandwidth on that. If you have problems then it's worth using the full update as a troubleshooting step but you're just wasting time otherwise.

 

[AutomaticApple]

I think that’s more myth than fact.

Where did that myth originate from?