HT201263: If you can't update or restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Learn about If you can't update or restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
ninarjdandrea
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: I haven't backed up my iPad.

I was trying to update my iPad to iOS 8.1.2 (I hadn't updated it since iOS 7) through iTunes because there was not enough space on the iPad to update it wirelessly . The screen with the cable and arrow and iTunes logo came up and won't leave unless I say update to iOS 8.1.2. It then goes to the Apple logo and loads until it it about 70% loaded, it then tells me there is an unknown error and I have to say OK. I am not sure if I backed it up or synced it with iTunes. Is there any way to check? I don't want to restore it and loose all my music and photos and apps. I can't access the iPad at all. What can I do to update the operating system and get the iPad working again without loosing all of my music, photos and apps?

iPad Mini

Posted on Dec 16, 2014 4:38 AM

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ninarjdandrea

Q: I haven't backed up my iPad.

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  • by SergZak,

    SergZak SergZak Dec 16, 2014 5:48 AM in response to ninarjdandrea
    Level 5 (7,368 points)
    iPad
    Dec 16, 2014 5:48 AM in response to ninarjdandrea

    I ran into the same issue when updating three different iPads from iOS 6.x and 7.x to iOS 8...

     

    Sorry to say that when the iPad is in this state, it must be restored (reset the device if it locks up during the restore, see below*). If you had a previous backup (one should have automatically been made by iTunes when you connected the device to the PC to do the update), you can restore from that backup after the restore.

     

    I believe there's a way to see the backups under iTunes. I don't have it installed on the PC I'm using right now so I can't tell you exactly how to get to it but look under Preferences/Devices (or similar). the backups of the device stored on the syncing PC should be displayed there.

     

    *Device Reset (won't affect settings/data/music/apps/etc)

     

    1. Press and hold (& continue to hold) BOTH the Sleep/Wake button & the Home button.

    2. Continue to hold BOTH (ignoring any other messages that may show) until you see the Apple logo on the screen.

    3. Release BOTH buttons when you see the Apple logo and allow the device to boot normally.