Apple releases iOS 5.1.1 for iPhone, iPod touch, iPad

By Rene Ritchie
last updated

Apple has pushed out iOS 5.1.1, a free software update for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad users. The minor point release focuses, as usual, on bug fixes and performance enhancements.

This update contains improvements and bug fixes, including:

  • Improves reliability of using HDR option for photos taken using the Lock Screen shortcut
  • Addresses bugs that could prevent the new iPad from switching between 2G and 3G networks
  • Fixes bugs that affected AirPlay video playback in some circumstances
  • Improved reliability for syncing Safari bookmarks and Reading List
  • Fixes an issue where 'Unable to purchase' alert could be displayed after successful purchase

For information on the security content of this update, please visit this website: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222

You can update now quickly and efficiently, on-device and over-the-air (OTA) by going to Settings, General, Software Update on your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad. Or you can break out the USB dock cable, tether up, and launch iTunes on your Mac or Windows desktop. If you need help updating, here's where to go:

Jailbreakers, as always, will want to stay clear. If you notice any other changes, drop us a line.

Rene Ritchie
Rene Ritchie
Contributor

Rene Ritchie is one of the most respected Apple analysts in the business, reaching a combined audience of over 40 million readers a month. His YouTube channel, Vector, has over 90 thousand subscribers and 14 million views and his podcasts, including Debug, have been downloaded over 20 million times. He also regularly co-hosts MacBreak Weekly for the TWiT network and co-hosted CES Live! and Talk Mobile. Based in Montreal, Rene is a former director of product marketing, web developer, and graphic designer. He's authored several books and appeared on numerous television and radio segments to discuss Apple and the technology industry. When not working, he likes to cook, grapple, and spend time with his friends and family.

80 Comments
  • Not showing up yet as an update from my iPhone 4S nor iPad 3rd gen.
  • Not showing up in the official table at the mentioned KB link either. "http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222" at least not as of the time I'm making this comment :)
  • Maybe just on Rogers in CA, eh???
  • Settings -> General -> Software Update
  • Nope.
  • Apple website doesn't even have links/searchable articles for it yet.
  • It's showing up on my iPhone 4 software update in Settings...
  • avail right now downloading installing in USA
  • Just went live here in NC 1:36 EDT
  • Downloading it now on my iPad
  • Is there any improvement about AirPrint? it detects only printers which are on the same subnet. Is there any plan for that, to be able to use any printer located on different subnet. Thanks.
  • I think that's more a network issue than an iphone issue.
    Some network protocols only work on the same broadcast domain
  • Hey! It solved all my AT&T dead spots!
    Uh oh, wait...not really.
  • haha facepalm that was great!
  • Only carrying a tower in your pocket fixes that!
  • Completely Agree with that !
  • oh the way you fix that eay, switch to sprint or verizon...
  • Just updated, now I just get "no service" bug or just an unlucky case for me?
    iPhone 4S on Orange UK.
  • Sorted.
  • How did you sort? I am having the same issue.
  • WhaT happened to the beta process???
  • Apple only do beta's on major releases not minor bug updates. :)
  • Not updating till they give us iPod touch ppl a battery percentage icon!! I know there are apps that do it but I want a update to include it till I download!
  • when i plugged my iPhone into iTunes it wants me to update to 5.1.1
  • I upgraded here in Canada with no problem
  • Tethered Jailbreak for A4 devices: http://www.redmondpie.com/jailbreak-5.1.1-ios-on-iphone-ipad-ipod-touch-...
  • I hope it fixes the airplay to apple tv issue.
  • What issues are you having? AirPlay to AppleTV has been working fine for me since it was available.
  • I agree with Dionte - my airplay is not working to Apple TV. I get the audio but not the video. Restarting all 3 devices (ATV, iPad and iMac) does not fix it.... I have updated but now I'm at work so will have to wait till tonight to check (I'm in Australia...)
  • Available on both my new iPad and iPhone 4S. Downloaded quickly, installed successfully and smoothly.
  • "Improved reliability for syncing Safari bookmarks and Reading List"
    Yes, please. But only when an A5 jb solution comes up.
  • Guys i notices that some icons are smaller, maybe that's just me...
  • Seems just fine. Never experienced the bugs it supposedly fixed.
  • I love you android but this is one main reason I left you, timely updates all across the board.
  • ^ This. That was one of the reasons I left Android too. I decided I'd never go back to Android unless I got a Nexus.
  • I am getting here on my Iphone and Ipad, Mexico
  • Mo problem here in Chicago
  • Mo money...?
  • Is it me or does the screen scrolling seem smoother?!?!?!?
  • Yeah I have noticed as well that scrolling seems a little smoother.
  • Here in Germany the update is rolling out and works fine
  • If you have trouble with it showing up, connect to wifi. It wouldn't show up for me on 3G but when I connected to my home wifi it popped right up.
  • Just appeared on the screen of my iPh4s... successfully installed on that device as well as my iPa2 and iPa3.
  • Oops ... meant to say I'm on a Swisscom subscription in (obviously) Switzerland.
  • Never had AirPlay problem, but new iPad AirPrint would stop, with try again. WiFi connection level high. Will see if problem happens again after upgrade.
  • This update is WEAK!! People been waiting for updates and this is what you give us Apple!? Get back to work!!
  • This is a very valuable post. You are extremely well-informed on the subject and I love reading your perspective. I have tried often to write website articles that are succinct but it is extremely tricky. Thank you so much .
  • Any word on a 4s 5.1 untethered jailbreak or have I missed something?
  • Dear Friend:
    We can supply all kind jersey with good quali ty and low price. contact me, let's talk de tails.
    Del ivery time: 5-6days, Ship ping Method: EMS
    Newest stock list: every 3-5days updated
    Warm Regards,
    Carolyn
  • Updated mine in 3 minutes no problems.....
  • !fr e e shipp ing! j0rdan sh0es…….. 28 dollar c0ach p-u-r-s-e…… 25 dollar c00gi cl0thes…….. 20 dollar U.G.G B00ts………. 39 dollar
  • Get the span crap off here. Ridiculous how they put this where they can get it. Updated and working great. Don't notice whole lot. It's does seem like things may be a little quicker.
  • This worked out fine OTA for my friends phone on Telus Canada. I'm on 5.0.1 JB soo yea not even worth the update.
  • Killed my phone. Did the update OTA, rebooted in DFU mode. Had to restore from a backup 8 days ago. I lost a lot of pictures of my daughter and I from over the weekend because of this.
  • Did you not think to do a back-up just before doing the update? Standard practice really. And if your photos were that important, why did you not backup straight away?
  • AirPlay connects much faster and more consistently.
  • Just did the update and now none of my apps from the App store will open...Although they appear as if they are running in the bottom hidden bar thing... Not sure what I should do now?? I knew I shouldn't have updated :/
  • My iPhone 3gs updated fine, but my iPad2 keeps giving me an error message. It tells me that my iPad isn't elegible for the requested build. My iPad is a newer iPad2 that has not been jailbroken or modded. Nor does it have any apps not downloaded from the app store. Is this update only for iPad3s?
  • Safari feels... snappier. :D
    (classic MacRumors forum humor there.)
  • I feel the macro focus ability in the camera has improved. Anyone feel the same?
  • Woke up this morning and said it was available. I then installed it OTA. It actually went by quick. :) I only had a message about my iHome dock but will see and post if anything comes up.
  • Checkout step by step process of installing/updating new iOS 5.1.1 in your apple devices with both OTA and itunes:www.techdiscussion.in/index.php?topic=752.0
  • not showing up
  • Recently I’m using iPhone 4 with iOS 5.1.1 but I could not delete my photo album. When i tap the Edit button, there is no delete button but just Add! Anyone can help me?
  • Just upgraded yesterday. And mine has delete button when the Edit button is tapped.
  • I just updated to 5.1.1 yesterday without any problems. So far, so good...
  • haven't updated yet
  • I updated my iPhone 4 about 3 days ago to the latest software (5.1.1). I also updated my wife and sons iPhone 3GS phones. My battery has completely stopped vibrating. Theirs work great. Not sure what to do about this. I've missed several calls with my phone on silent (forgetting the battery doesn't vibrate now). Any suggestions?
  • Rene/staff, I was prompted to update my phone early Monday morning which I jumped at the opportunity. After it was done updating and my springboard opened up I noticed a huge different in the brightness and vibrance of the screen. I have had to warranty my iPhone 4s through apple three times so far, one time was for the yellowing issue, and the new phone they gave me had a dead pixel in the middle. Well the third time was the charm, it was a improvement over the first yellowish hue colored screen but still not as good as my wife's iPhone 4. Once the update finished it looked like a brand new screen, much whiter and much brighter. I don't know if anyone else had this happen to them, I just wanted to inform the other readers to this fix. By the way I have the white 4s. Hope this help. Thanks guys!!
  • I installed version 5.1.1 on my phone and now none of my existing apps are working. Any idea on how to fix that? If I can't find a fix for the apps I might have to back out the version of 5.1.1 that I have, is there a method for removing recently applied versions.
  • Just figured it out... turns out that if you download another app from the App store then all your existing apps will function again.
  • Absolutely kills my battery on iPhone 4S & iPad 3, AppStore freakishly slow and crashing, iPhone spontaneously rebooting. Very very ugly, never expected this from a minor release.
  • Awesome! Its genuinely amazing piece of writing, I have got much
    clear idea concerning from this post.
    my page :: iphone tips
  • Updated easy enough over wifi. Scrolling is perceptively smoother. Only trouble I've noticed is dictation on 4s is failing to even open mic for input on first attempt in iMessage and email. When it does open the returned text takes way longer than I am used to. I rebooted phone with no change. I am a big dictation user so this is a bit of a disappointment.
  • Since updating my battery life is worse and I'm having diffuculty with reception. I keep seeing no service or searching. Wish I didn't upgrade!!
  • Upgraded my 4 to iOS 5.1, since then it has stopped vibrating.
  • Wtf AppStore and YouTube is gone after ios 5.1.1 why
  • everythings working fine on my iPod 4G 8gb
  • in wisconsin
  • I quite like reading through a post that will make men and women think.
    Also, many thanks for permitting me to comment!
    My website:pacquiao vs bradley