Multiple Devices = Heavy Downloads

[Jthommo71]

My relatively new use of Apple products means I am a little on the slow side, but if I have a 4s Phone with OS 4 for instance, when I sync Itunes it wants to download the OS 5 update right ? No Problem, 800+ meg not too bad...

But why must I down load the same update for my Iphone 3 and Itouch 4???

I understand that each device has its own OS, but if I have already downloaded it once, I should be able to use it on all of my devices. As it stands now, with 3 devices i use up 2.4gb of my download to updates.

It makes me balk a little when considering 2 ipads of the kids. My updates would jump to 4gb, just on half of my monthly quota....

Is there any explanation for this or a way around it...??

 

[BrianBaughn]

There is a different package for each device. You can see an example for iOS 5 here.

8GB per month isn't much for multiple devices, as you say. You must be on a cellular or satellite service of some sort.

 

[T5BRICK]

Is there any explanation for this or a way around it...??

Once all of your devices are upgraded to IOS 5, you'll be able to update the device on wifi anywhere. Also, they're incremental updates so instead of downloading the whole 800MB package for the OS, you'll just have to download the parts that your phone needs(the updater does this all for you).

Also, the iPhone 4s doesn't work with iOS4, only iOS 5 or newer.

 

[Jthommo71]

Once all of your devices are upgraded to IOS 5, you'll be able to update the device on wifi anywhere. Also, they're incremental updates so instead of downloading the whole 800MB package for the OS, you'll just have to download the parts that your phone needs(the updater does this all for you).

Also, the iPhone 4s doesn't work with iOS4, only iOS 5 or newer.

Yep I did know that about the 4s, was just using an example... Thanks for the info though.

 

[PNutts]

My relatively new use of Apple products means I am a little on the slow side, but if I have a 4s Phone with OS 4 for instance, when I sync Itunes it wants to download the OS 5 update right ? No Problem, 800+ meg not too bad...

But why must I down load the same update for my Iphone 3 and Itouch 4???

I understand that each device has its own OS, but if I have already downloaded it once, I should be able to use it on all of my devices. As it stands now, with 3 devices i use up 2.4gb of my download to updates.

It makes me balk a little when considering 2 ipads of the kids. My updates would jump to 4gb, just on half of my monthly quota....

Is there any explanation for this or a way around it...??

Can you take it to a Genius and have them update it in the store? Or if you can find a free hotspot you can download them via direct links I see floating around the interwebs and copy it to iTunes (or one step if you have a wifi laptop or something with your iTunes on it).

Edit: Or heck, do you have a buddy with unlimited or a higher cap that can download it for you?

 

[Jthommo71]

Edit: Or heck, do you have a buddy with unlimited or a higher cap that can download it for you?

That's a thought. LOL. Started looking at alternative solutions for the services. Looked at the new mac notebooks etc and I want one. So higher gb will be needed.....


Thanks for your thoughts...

 

[AndyK]

Just take it + your laptop to Starbucks.

 

[barredfreak]

You should definitely get a better Internet deal if you have an iOS device. Each software update is specifically tailored for each device, so each download will be different, in terms of size and content.

 

[swordfish5736]

If you get say two wifi only iPads there's no reason they won't use the same update.


However if all the devices are on wifi you can download delta updates straight to the device whenever they are available and they are much smaller.