HT1222 I need to download an update

Question

I would like to download the latest update, but cannot figure out how.

Answer 1

If you mean update to the iPad's iOS, then if you are already on iOS 5 you should have a Settings > General > Software Update option on the iPad for direct update; if you have iOS 4 on it then you will need to do the update via your computer's iTunes (you can also update via your computer if you are on iOS 5+).
To update via your computer, connect the iPad to your computer's iTunes and copy any purchases off the iPad to your computer via File > Transfer Purchases (File > Devices > Transfer Purchases on iTunes 11). You may also want to copy photos and any important documents off the iPad as well e.g. via the file sharing section at the bottom of the device's apps tab when connected to iTunes, via wifi, email, dropbox etc - they should be included in the backup, but it's best to have a copy of them outside of the backup just in case. You can then force a backup of the iPad by right-clicking the iPad 'Device' on the left-hand side of iTunes and selecting 'Backup'.
Then start the update by selecting the iPad on the left-hand side of iTunes (on iTunes 11 you can enable the left-hand sidebar via option-command-S on a Mac, control-S on a PC), and on the Summary tab on the right-hand side clicking the Check For Updates button
Updating to iOS 5+ : http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4972
An iPad 2 will update to iOS 6.0.1 (which is the only version that is 'signed' by Apple), and with iOS 6 you will lose the built-in YouTube app and the Maps app will change - though google have app versions in the store.