Updating to iOS 8.1

The iOS 8.1 upgrade for the iPad 2 and 4 is now available for all students and teachers at BHS. It’s important to update your device since most apps are looking for updates to meet iOS 8.1. The failure to update may start to cause issues with apps and functionality. The Help Desk is open every period throughout the day (except for period 2) to assist any student, teacher, administrator or staff member with the updating process. Please be advised that it can take anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes for the iOS 8.1 download if you are updating from iOS 8. If you are updating from iOS 7, the iOS 8.1 download time can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. You will also need at least 50% battery life and a reliable wifi connection. Before you update, you first need to back up your iPad. The backup process is explained below:

Step 1: Backing Up Your iPad

Backing up your iPad before you update to iOS 8.1 is essential. If you fail to back up your iPad, you risk losing all of your data if your device breaks or crashes. The steps to back up are listed below and were taken from Gotta Be Mobile’s recent article, How to Update to iOS 8.1 Without Any Problems

In the upper-right corner of the iTunes window, you’ll see a button that says either iPhone or iPad, depending on what you have.
Click on that button to open another window that provides information about your device.
Below the main information is the Backup section. To do an all-out full backup of your iOS device, select This computer on the left-hand side.
Optionally, you can choose Encrypt backup to secure it from others accessing the personal data that gets backed up.
Next, click Back Up Now to begin the backup process. You may get a pop-up that talks about apps on your iOS device that aren’t currently in your iTunes Library. Click Back Up Apps to sync these apps with your iTunes Library, that way you’ll have all of your apps completely backed up.
iTunes will begin transferring any apps over to your iTunes Library if there are any, and then it will begin backing up your iOS device. When it’s done, just click the blue Done button in the upper-right corner and you’re good to go!

Step 2: Update to iOS 8.1

With your iPad now successfully backed up you are ready to update to iOS 8.1. With your device still plugged in to your computer (we recommend that), follow these steps (the steps listed below may differ slightly if you are on a PC versus a MAC)

In the upper-right corner of the iTunes window, you’ll see a button that says iPhone or iPad, depending on what you have.
Click on that button to open another window that provides information about your device.
Click on Check for Update and follow the on-screen instructions. You will be taken through the simple process step by step.

Once the update is completed, you can unplug your iPad. You will see the familiar “Hello” screen and swipe to the right. You will tap the continue button. You will enable location services if you are prompted to do. After that, you will choose your wifi network and tap next. After that, you should be good to go!

Extra Tips:

When you are ready to update, you may receive a notification that you do not have enough space on your device. If this is the case, you can check the amount of storage each of your apps is taking up on your device. Chances are, your photos, videos, or music are the culprits of your limited storage, so you’ll want to back them up through iCloud and then delete them from your device to have sufficient space for the iOS 8.1 update. Below are screenshots that walk you through how to find your storage area on your iPad. First go to Settings, the follow the screenshots below.