How To Update Your iPhone or iPod Touch to iOS 4

The release date of iOS 4 for iPhone and iPod Touch is June 21st. In order to take advantage of all of the new features that iOS 4 has to offer, just follow this informational guide on how to upgrade to the newest iPhone operating system.

Why you want iOS 4 on your iPhone/iPod Touch

Being a free upgrade for all iPhone 4, 3GS, 3G and iPod Touch (Current Generation) models, this new operating system contains many improvements. The following are some of the new features in iOS 4. Note that not all iOS4 features are available on the iPhone 3G or iPod Touch.

  • Multitasking – allows apps to run in the background

  • Bluetooth Keyboard Support
  • iAd network – allows developers to place ads in apps
  • iBooks app to read eBooks
  • Unified inbox – multiple email accounts in a single folder
  • Support for multiple Exchange accounts
  • Portrait orientation lock
  • 5X digital zoom and tap to focus video
  • Folder organization of apps – i.e. Games folder contains all of your game apps
  • Customizable background wallpaper
  • No more Rating of apps prompt upon deletion
  • Improved camera and video editing
  • Enterprise improvements for businesses
  • Ability to send someone an app as a gift
  • Spell checking built-in to Mail, Notes, and other apps
  • Faces and Places integration with photos
  • Ability to create custom playlists directly on your device

For more information on the new features, visit our iOS 4 Overview page or Apple’s Software Update page.

For iPod Touch users who did not purchase the 3.0 software update for $10, it remains to be seen as to whether or not you can still upgrade to iOS 4 for free.

How to Update your iPhone or iPod Touch

I find that the simplest and quickest way to update my iPod Touch is directly in iTunes. Using three easy steps, this guide will show you how to update your device using iTunes. I am using a Mac, but the same thing can be done using Windows.

Step 1. Ensure you are running the latest version of iTunes.

  1. Open iTunes.
  2. Click on iTunes>Check for Updates… in the menu bar.

  3. If an update is available, a pop-up will appear. Click Download iTunes.
  4. This will open Software Update. I would recommend that you download all the available software updates, but you may also deselect everything but iTunes. Once you click Install, the update will perform automatically.
  5. If you have not already, quit out of iTunes.
  6. Once the new version of iTunes has downloaded, Agree to the License Agreement that pops up. Note that sometimes, your computer may need to be restarted in order for the new version to launch. If prompted, restart your computer.
  7. iTunes should automatically launch, running the newest version.

Step 2: Connect your iPhone or iPod Touch to your computer.

  1. If it is not open already, open iTunes
  2. Connect your iPhone or iPod Touch to the computer via the USB port and the cable that came with your device.
  3. Your device’s name should appear in the side bar of iTunes.
  4. By default, your device is set up to automatically sync with iTunes. This may take a while, as the device needs to be backed-up in addition to syncing.

Step 3: Update your iPhone or iPod Touch’s software (iOS 4 available June 21)

  1. Click your device’s name in the sidebar to bring up this screen.
  2. Under the Summary Tab, click the “Check for Update” button under Version
  3. If an update is available, click Update.
  4. This download may take a while. Make sure not to disconnect your device or quit out of iTunes. Various prompts may appear once the software is downloaded. Click Accept or Continue for all prompts. Included in this will be the License Agreement, in which you must click Accept.
  5. If the update is successful, under Version, it should say “Your iPod (iPhone) is up to date. iTunes will automatically check for an update again on (insert date).”

There you go. You have successfully updated your device to iOS 4. Enjoy!

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