How to Install the iOS 5.1.1 Update

OS 5 is in constant updates until the iOS 6 is finally released, and these iOS updates is the way in which Apple accommodates the changes that are required or requested by the customers.  The iOS 5.1.1 update is one of the smaller, yet essential, updates for the iPhone that you will need to continue moving forward with your device.  Here is a look at how to download and install the iOS 5.1.1 update and what new iOS features are included.

Though the standard way to install the iOS 5.1.1 update is to download it on your home computer and sync it to your iPhone, but now the iPhone has been enabled to download and install these updates remotely.  First, you need to connect your iPhone to a reasonably fast Wi-Fi network.  Go into Settings and then General, which is at the top of the third block of options.  Inside General you will find Software Update as the second option from the top, and there will be a number there if you have an update waiting for you.

The iOS 5.1.1 update will come up with an option to learn more about the update and a button for Install Now.  Once you select this and confirm that you want to install the iOS 5.1.1 download it will go through the process automatically.

If you want to stick with the traditional way to install the iOS update, go ahead and plug in your iPhone and then select it from under Devices in the left hand panel of your iTunes.  In the Summary tab you will see that the iOS 5.1.1 download is available, and you can select the Update button to begin.  It will then confirm with you to ensure that you want to begin the update process.

It will then give you a list of the new iOS 5.1.1 features and then a Terms and Conditions agreement.  Once these have been moved through the download will begin internally to iTunes, which could take over fifteen minutes depending on your Internet connection.

The software will be extracted, Apple will verify the updates, and then the iPhone will begin preparation for the update.  The screen will black out and the Apple logo will be centered, below which will be a progress bar where you can watch as the software is updated onto the iPhone.  Once it has finished it will go through the regular six step syncing process you have become used to on your iPhone.

The iOS 5.1.1 features are not as heavy as iOS updates in the past, but still necessary.  First, its going to fix some of the issues that have come up with the video playback when using AirPlay.  It will improve the Reading List and bookmarks in Safari as those features have not been as reliable as they shoould have been.  One of the most important of the iOS 5.1.1 features is that the HDR photo when using the shortcut on the locked iPhone screen will now be reliable, as it had not been in the past.  The iOS 5.1.1 features list also help to eliminate the occassional fals “Unable to Purchase” notification that comes up even after a purchase has been successful.