HT5278 How do I download iOS 5.

Question

Some of the apps I would like to download require iOS 5.  How do I upgrade to iOS5?

Answer 1

If you are on iOS 4 then you can only update via your computer's iTunes.
You will need the latest version of iTunes on your computer - you can check if you are up-to-date via, on a PC, 'Help > Check For Updates', and on a Mac 'iTunes > Check For Updates'
When you have that installed, connect the iPad to it and copy any purchases off it via File > Transfer Purchases (you may also want to copy photos off the iPad as well) and then force a backup of the iPad by right-clicking the iPad 'Device' on the left-hand side of iTunes and selecting 'Backup'. You may also want to copy off the iPad any important documents, notes, files etc 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 start the update by selecting the iPad on the left-hand side of iTunes, 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
When you have iOS 5+ installed then you will be able to do future update directly on the iPad via Settings > General > Software Update (or you can continue to do them via your computer's iTunes)