iOS 5.1 won't upgrade my iPod & iPad 2 on my newer mac, but it will install perfectly to my sisters same model iPod using an old windows laptop in same internet connection in the same house

I have two products. I have a iPad 2 and a iPhone 4s and I have tried to download the update on each device and tried connecting them to itunes to download it thru that but none work. iTunes just keeps trying to contact the server and the devices try and then say "Software Update Failed". Neither of my devices are jailbroken and I have plenty of space on each. I guess this is a sign that maybe the update isn't ready and might have bugs.

Check out the solution on thread https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3788617?answerId=17793399022#17793399022. The DNS change there worked for me.

Having the same problem here in the UK too on a non jailbroken iPhone and iPad. Doesn't work through my iMac or directly on the devices. Very frustrating as I bought iPhoto yesterday and can't run it. Have emailed Apple. Will see what they say.

Sorry I messed up on the original link. Try https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3788617 instead.

NO! I have a refurbished 16G iPhone 4 from the Apple store

Thanks! Now I have to figure out how to get the update for the Apple TV!

Ibeen having the same problem since the apple event. Wirelessly, the iPhone would see the update but not be able to download it. When I plugged it into iTunes, it saw the update and tried to download it but hung at "connecting to the update server...". I finally stumbled onto a solution that worked for me... changing the DNS on your iPhone's wireless connection. took less than a minute for mines to update!

Make sure that you are connected to your wi-fi network...

1. Tap on Settings
2. Tap on Wi-Fi
3. Tap on the little blue ball/arrow on network that you are connected to
4. On the DHCP tab, tap in the DNS field (write down what is in there and save it just in case)
5. Delete what is in there and add in 8.8.8.8 (this is Google Public DNS*)
6. Tap out of the field and out of Wi-Fi connections
7. Try to update from the phone again

I ended up making this change on my iPad, iPhone, Apple TV and iMac and it worked in all cases.

Hi,

I did this. Still no luck. Obviously not a universal solution. Glad it worked for you.

Hi. I've had the same problem for days trying to update from 5.0.1 to 5.1 on both my iPhone 4S and my iPad 2. Originally they were set to update via iCloud, and have been backing up automatically, but I can't connect and download 5.1 update via iTunes either. Let us know if you hear of any solution. Thanks.

The way I was able to update was by downloading the update (ipsw) manually from the internet and manually pointing iTunes to it.

When I did it, I did by restoring (which may have only worked for me because I was on 5.1 B3) but, if you were to download the update (ipsw), and put it in the proper folder in iTunes then you may be able to run it as an update.

Well I finally went to a local bar and ordered a Diet Coke, clicked update software and in about 25 minutes I was done. That was my solution. I really should not have to go to a bar to get it to work. 😉

Option 2 worked for me. Allowed my IPAD2 to update from settings general/

Thank you

what ''dynamicsmusic'' said worked for me! 🙂 and i have iphone 4s

dynamicsmusic is in the right direction, even if it didn't work for you Waleed.

It's not about the iPads or iPods, it's about your different computers and the way they're configured. And configurations also generate caches, so sometimes it's not only about changing them, but reseting as well.

Here is a much more detailed info: http://osxdaily.com/2012/03/09/cant-download-ios-5-1-try-these-fixes/

You could also try connecting through wifi on different networks or changing the DNS on your iPad itself, if you're trying to upgrade from 5.0 of course.

My iPad 2 updated through every upgrade from 4.3 through 5.1 with no hitch. I'm trying to help my friend who's never done the updates on her iPad 2 jump from 4.3.3 to 5.1 using her PC and iTunes acct. It gives no error code but doesn't install on her iPad despite making it through the 89 minutes of downloading sucessfully. We've downloaded four different times. I put in a plea for help here:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3842260

I'm still looking for answers and hoping someone will help me on my thread when I found this thread. I just wanted to pipe in and say that being on a PC or not doing it through wifi is not a magic solution.

I am intrigued with the idea of connecting her iPad. to another computer. I was under the impression that once connected to a PC (or Mac) then you needed to keep it connected to that system (Mac or PC) and couldn't update through the other system. I would be thrilled to connect it to my Mac so I'm not also battling being in the foreign territory of PCs. I'm going to try some of these suggestions the next time we get together. I've already spent two days at her house butting our heads against this problem. She's ready to pay someone at the genius bar but that's another lost day traveling to the big city.

We are yearning for an answer to solve this difficulty. Do we have to go back and install earlier update versions before 5.1? If so, specifically where are they located in iTunes? I can't find them and the Apple site just says go to iTunes.