How to Update to 2.1 iPhone Firmware via iTunes

By Gary Ng on September 12th, 2008 84

Friday is upon us folks and that means it’s time to update our iPhone 3G’s to 2.1 firmware! The new firmware is supposed to fix bugs, allow for faster backing up, better battery life, less lag, you name it, it’s going to be there (I’m hoping for copy and paste). Let’s hope Apple won’t disappoint iPhone fanatics with this update. The original 2.0 and subsequent 2.0.1 and 2.0.2 updates were very minor, but overall we all still ran into “iPhone 3G lag” as I’d like to call it. Here are some tips to keep in mind when you’re updating to 2.1 firmware via iTunes! Read on!

Tips on Prepping for the 2.1 Firmware Update

The obvious thing to do before updating or restoring to 2.1 is to sync your iPhone in iTunes. This will ensure that after the update all your settings, contacts, bookmarks, photos, etc. will still be there.

There are two traditional ways to get 2.1 on your iPhone 3G:

1) You can click the ‘Update’ button right inside iTunes 8. Your iPhone 3G will update to 2.1 as planned–iTunes will take care of everything for you. Easy. As. Pie.

2) Complete a full ‘restore’, which essentially will erase all the content on your iPhone and then install a fresh version of 2.1 firmware. For all the jailbroken iPhone 3G users out there, this might be the preferred method of choice to ensure all remnants of the jailbreak are wiped clean off your iPhone’s hard drive.

Personally I will be doing the full restore method since previously this has resulted in less problems for both first generation and iPhone 3G users. Definitely something to consider when you’re updating. Can’t wait to get 2.1 on my iPhone! :)

Apple Pwnz Pwnage Tool, Dev Team Responds

The Dev Team is on top of their game versus Apple, and it’s evident that this “cat and mouse” game will neither dissipate nor subside anytime soon. According to the Dev Team’s recent blog entry, restated the following regarding the Pwnage Tool:

“…we’ve asserted multiple times that Apple can’t fix the bug we’ve exploited in PwnageTool unless they fix their hardware.

That hardware fact is still true. But one way they can try to combat Pwnage for existing hardware is to program iTunes to detect and prevent the Pwnage exploit. In fact, they’ve already done that in iTunes 8. The screenshot below from iTunes 8 using a Pwned ipsw (with an unPwned device attached) is one example.”

The Dev Team asserts that these iTunes fixes can be easily patched and they already have one for iTunes 8 and iPod Touch. If the Dev Team can easily exploit the iPhone OS so easily, just how secure is the iPhone and OSX? Something to ponder…

Let us know how your iPhone 2.1 firmware update goes. I’ll write back with a full summary after I complete my update!

Thanks to The iPhone Blog for the 2.1 image above!

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  • http://grncndy.wordpress.com/ MikeM

    Found this post at sleepers.net, by Stefan:
    “1) Phone seems a bit more responsive
    2) Baseband has been updated to v2.11.07 !!! ***
    3) 3G signal in my office jumped from 1 bar to 5!
    4) Surfing on 3G seems fast and reliable
    5) Contacts seem faster and snappier though I only have about 300 of them. However keyboard use in Contacts is still sluggish.
    6) Wifi connectivity seems the same – no improvements.
    7) No Cut and paste!
    8) Exchange email sync seems faster – unsure yet if it fixes the mail crashing bug that has plagued the iPhone 3G since v2.0. Will continue to test…
    9) Calendar startup is noticeably faster. I use mine synced with Exchange.
    10) Camera startup seems the same.
    11) AppStore Applications installation seems a lot snappier.”

    The key thing here, for me, is the baseband update. This means anyone with v1 iPhone will have to wait to upgrade to 2.1, until there is an unlock for it (Dev Team or Ziphone….yes Zibri posted today, that he is working on this!)

  • coop

    Installed Tunes8 and 2.1.

    Meh…

    No better, no worse. I’ve never had the horrible synch times that other have, so I didn’t notice any change there.

    Still poor signal (edge, not 3g), things seem to run pretty much the same. Haven’t noticed any special goodies.

    Glad it just a (so so) phone and ipod, and not a way of life or I’d be really unhappy right about now.

    coop

  • coop

    Installed Tunes8 and 2.1.

    Meh…

    No better, no worse. I’ve never had the horrible synch times that other have, so I didn’t notice any change there.

    Still poor signal (edge, not 3g), things seem to run pretty much the same. Haven’t noticed any special goodies.

    Glad it just a (so so) phone and ipod, and not a way of life or I’d be really unhappy right about now.

    coop

  • Justin

    Worked out great for me. I did a full Restore and then from backup. App install is alot faster.

  • Justin

    Worked out great for me. I did a full Restore and then from backup. App install is alot faster.

  • http://www.iphoneincanada.ca Gary

    My routine is to do a couple Red Bull beer bongs, then sit down on my computer and bust out a post night after night! ;)

    Actually since I’m on the Westcoast here, it’s not that late when you think of midnight.

  • Marcio

    I just got my iphone updated to 2.1
    The update refresh all my emails (Exchange), contacts and calendar.
    Since everything is on the server, nothing got lost.

  • http://www.iphoneincanada.ca iPhone Fan

    My routine is to do a couple Red Bull beer bongs, then sit down on my computer and bust out a post night after night! ;)

    Actually since I’m on the Westcoast here, it’s not that late when you think of midnight.

  • Marcio

    I just got my iphone updated to 2.1
    The update refresh all my emails (Exchange), contacts and calendar.
    Since everything is on the server, nothing got lost.

  • http://www.kkcalgary.com/ Tim Aucoin

    I was in your position. Do a full restore, BUT, be sure to say yes to backing up your data when it asks. Full restore will “unjailbreak” your phone and put it back to “normal” with 2.1 firmware. Once it’s restored, it will ask you if you want to restore the back-up you did… say yes, and all your apps, pics, data, etc… will be back in place for you. The only difference is your home screen(s) will need to be sorted again to the way you had it/them (minus any jailbroken stuff, of course)!! :-D
    Hope this helps.

  • http://www.kkcalgary.com Tim Aucoin

    I was in your position. Do a full restore, BUT, be sure to say yes to backing up your data when it asks. Full restore will “unjailbreak” your phone and put it back to “normal” with 2.1 firmware. Once it’s restored, it will ask you if you want to restore the back-up you did… say yes, and all your apps, pics, data, etc… will be back in place for you. The only difference is your home screen(s) will need to be sorted again to the way you had it/them (minus any jailbroken stuff, of course)!! :-D
    Hope this helps.

  • http://www.kkcalgary.com/ Tim Aucoin

    Forgot one thing… if your Exercise program is from Cydia or Installer and not the App Store, you will lose all the data, as everything jailbroken will be gone.

  • http://www.kkcalgary.com Tim Aucoin

    Forgot one thing… if your Exercise program is from Cydia or Installer and not the App Store, you will lose all the data, as everything jailbroken will be gone.

  • Alexandre Hetu

    I can’t send an SMS ! The bar advances up to like 90% and sticks there…

    Anybody else is having this issue ???

  • Alexandre Hetu

    I can’t send an SMS ! The bar advances up to like 90% and sticks there…

    Anybody else is having this issue ???

  • Alexandre Hetu

    WWWEEEIIIIRRRDDDD !! I force-quitted the SMS app, came back and everything is fine now. The messages I tried to send did not make it to their recipients.

  • Alexandre Hetu

    WWWEEEIIIIRRRDDDD !! I force-quitted the SMS app, came back and everything is fine now. The messages I tried to send did not make it to their recipients.

  • SilverGS

    Thanks Tim. Is your phone faster now and the sluggishness gone? That is more important to me now after having experienced the phone in it’s jailbroken state – the only real thing I will miss is the degree of customization.

    Does this method of full restore like you mentioned really “clean” up the phone similar to doing a format on a pc? Or will remnants of the jailbroken stuff still be on there after it does it’s backup?

    The exercise program is from the App store.

  • SilverGS

    Thanks Tim. Is your phone faster now and the sluggishness gone? That is more important to me now after having experienced the phone in it’s jailbroken state – the only real thing I will miss is the degree of customization.

    Does this method of full restore like you mentioned really “clean” up the phone similar to doing a format on a pc? Or will remnants of the jailbroken stuff still be on there after it does it’s backup?

    The exercise program is from the App store.

  • http://www.kkcalgary.com/ Tim Aucoin

    The phone is “clean” of all jailbroken stuff. The hard-drive is basically wiped and re-written on a restore. And yes, I find it much more responsive than when I had it jailbroken. I also like the customization features and hold out hope that one day Apple will actually let us do that! You have a fantastic weekend! :-)

  • http://www.kkcalgary.com Tim Aucoin

    The phone is “clean” of all jailbroken stuff. The hard-drive is basically wiped and re-written on a restore. And yes, I find it much more responsive than when I had it jailbroken. I also like the customization features and hold out hope that one day Apple will actually let us do that! You have a fantastic weekend! :-)

  • Pingback: iPhone 3G Firmware 2.1 Update: The Review

  • http://www.kkcalgary.com/ Tim Aucoin

    SMS reminded me 3 times in 20 minutes that I had a message… seems to work fine!

  • http://www.kkcalgary.com Tim Aucoin

    SMS reminded me 3 times in 20 minutes that I had a message… seems to work fine!

  • atlong

    Just a question. I want to update to 2.1 firmware but I’m at work with nothing to do. I usually sync to my home computer. Can I update the firmware on my work computer even tho I usually sync to my home? Will I lose all my files on my phone if I sync and update to my work computer? Thanks in advance.

  • atlong

    Just a question. I want to update to 2.1 firmware but I’m at work with nothing to do. I usually sync to my home computer. Can I update the firmware on my work computer even tho I usually sync to my home? Will I lose all my files on my phone if I sync and update to my work computer? Thanks in advance.

  • http://myiphoneexp.blogspot.com/ Shiva

    hi..I think it is obvious the 2.1 update in this post mentions the 3G specifically but any idea if it will work for first-gen iPhone. I downloaded and installed iTunes 8 and when I connected my first-gen iPhone the latest update available was 2.0.2. thanks.

    PS: I think I read in one of your posts that Pwnage was available for the 2.0.2 update.

  • http://myiphoneexp.blogspot.com Shiva

    hi..I think it is obvious the 2.1 update in this post mentions the 3G specifically but any idea if it will work for first-gen iPhone. I downloaded and installed iTunes 8 and when I connected my first-gen iPhone the latest update available was 2.0.2. thanks.

    PS: I think I read in one of your posts that Pwnage was available for the 2.0.2 update.

  • http://myiphoneexp.blogspot.com/ Shiva

    Oh I’m sorry, I meant WinPwn for 2.0.2

  • http://myiphoneexp.blogspot.com Shiva

    Oh I’m sorry, I meant WinPwn for 2.0.2

  • Dan

    Hi… Thanks for the update on iPhone v 2.1 Have you heard anything about the volume control on the iPhone. I have all the right things turned on and volume controls moved to maximum;however, the sound levels of ringers is quite low compared to conventional cell phones… Do you know if Apple is looking into this? How do you get this tyrp of request to attention of Apple
    tx
    Dan

  • Dan

    Hi… Thanks for the update on iPhone v 2.1 Have you heard anything about the volume control on the iPhone. I have all the right things turned on and volume controls moved to maximum;however, the sound levels of ringers is quite low compared to conventional cell phones… Do you know if Apple is looking into this? How do you get this tyrp of request to attention of Apple
    tx
    Dan

  • BFJ

    I’ve currently upgraded to 2.1 from a jailbroken 2.0.2 firmware. There is a 2.1 jailbroken firmware floating around, so i decided to test that out (i have a PC so no pwnage for me). When i tried to update with the new firmware, it didn’t work…
    So i had to resort to just updating via the official apple release.
    It’s up and working, which is great.
    But…
    It seems that there are remnants of the jailbreak. My boss pref battery meter which displays a numeric value is still there and all the applications that i put into catagories folders are no longer appearing (legit apps from the appstore).
    When i do a restore it shows the applications syncing but they don’t appear on the phone.
    This makes me think they are still on the phone. Boss prefs looks like it still could be installed and catagories could be around too and putting those apps in a folder that’s not showing up.

    Any ideas?

  • BFJ

    I’ve currently upgraded to 2.1 from a jailbroken 2.0.2 firmware. There is a 2.1 jailbroken firmware floating around, so i decided to test that out (i have a PC so no pwnage for me). When i tried to update with the new firmware, it didn’t work…
    So i had to resort to just updating via the official apple release.
    It’s up and working, which is great.
    But…
    It seems that there are remnants of the jailbreak. My boss pref battery meter which displays a numeric value is still there and all the applications that i put into catagories folders are no longer appearing (legit apps from the appstore).
    When i do a restore it shows the applications syncing but they don’t appear on the phone.
    This makes me think they are still on the phone. Boss prefs looks like it still could be installed and catagories could be around too and putting those apps in a folder that’s not showing up.

    Any ideas?

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