"Software Update Failed. An error occurred downloading iOS 6."

This happened also with IOS 5 updates. The server is being slammed right now (think every IOS device is trying to update). With IOS 5, it finally went through about 24 hours later. Only thing you can do is wait.

I have 3 co-workers that just did the same upgrade on their iPhone 4S without an issue. (Same office on the same Wi-Fi connection)

Back up

Restore

Upgrade

This seems to be the only work around

Tried this... "Back up, Restore, Upgrade"... no luck on BOTH 4s and iPad3

Okay answer this honestly and remember jail breaking alone is not illegal.

Are you trying to upgrade on a jail broken device?

After this message, in Italian, I pressed Settings. IT WAS POSSIBLE TO GO ON AFTER ACCEPTING THE AGREEMENT.

My new ipad, 3rd generation is finally going through the restart etc. It used to give me an error message when downloading, after about 10 tries it finished the whole process.

Now for my iphone 4 to do the same....

Fredundant wrote:

Okay answer this honestly and remember jail breaking alone is not illegal.

Are you trying to upgrade on a jail broken device?

My devices are not jailbroken.

I'm getting the same error. Tried about 20 times. Ipad 3.

My devices are not jailbroken... On AT&T

spacyway wrote:

I'm getting the same error. Tried about 20 times. Ipad 3.

My iphone 4 is now finally getting the upgrade, ipad 3 is complete. probably 20 attempts as well.

I'm in NZ. Tried soon after OS released but failed 3 times. Tried again 2 hours later and failed. Then tried again and worked OK

I'm updating 4 devices: iPhone 3GS, 4, 4S, and iPad 2. 3GS and 4 downloaded and installed (still currently installing). I've gotten the error 4-5 times each on the iPad 2 and 4S. All devices on the same wifi and backed up/synced right before update.

I kept getting same error while updating over wifi. Ultimately I needed to Backup, then Restore in order to successfully update to iOS 6.