Problems with the iPod Touch's January Software Update
January 15, 2008 · 94 Comments
So, after watching today's slightly disappointing Keynote from MacWorld Conference and Expo, I decided to buy, through iTunes, the iPod Touch January Software Update ($19.99 or £12.99).
Well, slightly dissapointing really, nothing got installed. I am still waiting on the response to my complaint email.
Anybody managed to install it? Its meant to be easy, just buy it and Sync your iTouch, but alas, no luck.
EDIT: A comment by sidepodcast below has solved the problem. There was an update for the iTouch that I had to install before installing the application package (to be honest, comparing the sizes of the updates, I think what you buy is simply a license for the software). Thanks sidepodcast!!!
Tags: apple
94 responses so far ↓
1 luca mezzalira // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:13 PM
Thank you for your post! ;-)
2 Mark Drew // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:13 PM
I mean, I should have waited a couple of days before doing it to be honest, but it had two applications I REALLY want, such as Mail and Notes. Oh well, lesson learned. I shall re update this post.
3 luca mezzalira // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:13 PM
Mail in particular, when you go out for work it will be fantastic have it!
4 Ian // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:13 PM
5 sidepodcast // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:13 PM
works like a charm for me. fab update, worth every penny.
6 Matt Woodward // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
7 Matt Woodward // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
8 sidepodcast // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
sorry if it's a daft question.
new apps appear the moment the sync finishes and a message box pops up explaining how to move icons around.
9 Mark Drew // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
I am doing an update now and once installed (if it works) I shall update the main post!
Thanks for the tip!
10 mattJH // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
11 sadalit // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
12 ibnabeeomar // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
13 ibnabeeomar // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
14 Sean Corfield // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
I love the web clips and customize home pages. The new semi-gps self-location on the maps app is *wonderful*... haven't tried anything else new yet :)
15 AntiArchitect // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
1. make sure that the "Manually Manage..." is unchecked
2. makes sure that the "Synch only checked songs..." is unchecked
It was only after I did both these did the update install at all.
BTW - the update is FANTASTIC (especially the email part)
16 Matte // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
I was not so happy until I've read this magical post..The January software update works only with the automatic sync..and with the associated iTunes library.
17 C // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
1. make sure that the "Manually Manage..." is unchecked
2. makes sure that the "Synch only checked songs..." is unchecked
You are the best AntiArchitect :)
18 mflinsch // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
I do not know whether simply clicking "Manually manage music and videos" in my summary screen and then performing the sync operation would have solved this but I'm pretty sure it would. Would have eliminated the need to do a couple of restores and wait on Apple Care for 20 minutes.
19 Dom // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
20 Ben Gotow // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
I think it just goes to show the system wasn't tested at all before they released. I mean - it seems like a lot of people use that feature.
21 Gazin // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
22 erlando // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
23 erlando // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
24 Oli // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
25 Sathi // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
My situation: I updated iTunes, then updated the iTouch to 1.3.1 and purchased the new features. Of course it did not install and I wasted an hour trying to contact Apple. I realized my iTunes is set to manual sync of the iTouch and corrected that setting but that did not help either. Finally I followed the instructions posted by mflinsch which finally helped. I restored the iTouch and the clean reinstall (not the backup of the old ITouch, but a set up as new iPod) set up the new widgets. Now I have to bring the music and photos back in again but at least I have it working.
I have another problem: My iTouch works great on my personal WLAN but at school we have radius security where we log in to a windows domain account (username/password) to get to the WLAN. How do you do that in iTouch? All I can enter is a password, there is no where to enter the username. Any suggestions?
Thanks Mark Drew for this site!
26 stdanny // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
:)
27 wmayhem // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
Especially since they dropped the price of the iPod touch.
By the way, I have a similar issue, but different:
My problem is, I use two computers to add songs & videos to my iPod touch. I purchased the software at my office computer,
but originally had my iPod's calendar, podcasts and contacts sync'ed with my home computer.
I also had Manually manage songs & videos set on. I've since disabled that option, and the Sync only checked... option off,
sync'ed my iPod (poof.. 14 gigs buhbye!).
After the sync was complete, I still didn't see the new software - presumably because I had purchased it on my office
computer.
My question is this: Is there a way to install the upgrade from home, if you purchased it from the office?
28 qiksand // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
29 wmayhem // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
It looks like the computer you purchased your upgrade is the only computer you can use to sync and apply the upgrade.
I wont know for sure of course until I sit at my desk tomorrow morning, but hopefully it'll work, and wont have to contact Apple only to be on hold for an hour.
I'll you know how it turns out. Thanks for your post qiksand, it's nice to know I'm not the only one.
30 notamacguyreally // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
31 Jessica // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
32 wmayhem // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
A few notes:
It does in fact work for a PC. I'm running Win XP Home edition (at the office)
You MUST apply the 1.1.3 update first. I'm sure the software upgrade is in this update, and what you purchase is simply the license.
You must have the latest version of iTunes 7.6 (at least I'm pretty sure)
You need to use the same computer you purchased the upgrade from to apply it
You MUST have "Manually manage music & videos" unchecked (off)
And lastly, you MUST sync it to the computer which you purchased the software upgrade from. This means that if you were manually managing your music before, everything will be gone. All those countless hours getting your music set up just right, all the id tags, album covers, not to mention the copious amount of time downloading your music & videos, then adding them to your iPod. All gone.
The worst part of it all, at least for me, is that all those faithful blokes who picked up the iPod touch when it first came out and paid $450 for the 16 gb (at least thats what they were in Canada, before the American dollar bottomed out), are the same blokes Apple asked to complete a survey on "how to improve the iPod touch", are the same blokes that have to pay an additional $20 to get what is now being given for free to anyone who’s buying the product we helped (near demanded) to improve, which is now reduced in price ($450 to $400, $330, to $300). And here’s the kicker… oh yes boys and girls it gets worse. The upgrade is a major headache to install. All over, people are buying this software upgrade, which is overloading Apple’s servers to the point where you get a “busy signal” from iTunes and the iStore (they should probably switch to PC), and IF you are able to download this upgrade, you’ll inevitably have problems installing it, and if you want to talk to someone at Apple for technical support, you have to wait 48 hours for an email response, or have to pay (yes pay) for telephone support. If you purchased your iPod within 90 days, you are offered “complementary support”, but only 1 support ticket per iPod (better make a good one). If you purchased more than 90 (which move of us have), you’re S.O.L. Better luck on the forums!
Just when you think Apple couldn’t screw you any further, they do.
33 Frank Fiaschetti // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
34 Barry // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
35 iPodJezza // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
36 Karyn March // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
37 wmayhem // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
iPodJezza , I did get that message, but I've been reading from several sources that because this upgrade is so new, and everyone is trying to get at it, it's overloading their crappy servers, so you may get "time out" errors, "server busy" errors or "try agains". I suggest either trying it again when its not at peak hours, or try again some time next week.
Couldnt agree more with you, Barry. Every time i tried to find answers, it lead me to one page or another, and when that didnt solve my problem, they gave me a link to the preceding page. Just constant circles. Their customer support is no better. In the end, I am happy with the new software, it should have been a free upgrade but you cant fight big business.
Frank, when you purchase that upgrade, you end up getting a very small file, so dont be surprised to see the download go by so fast, and see nothing happen.
You need to do the following to install the upgrade:
1 - Plug in your iPod touch to the computer you purchased your upgrade from.
2 - Open iTunes, and select your iPod touch.
3 - Get to the summary screen.
If you haven’t got the Software Version 1.1.3, click the “Check for Update” button on this screen and download the latest version.
You’re also going to need to get iTunes 7.6
Click the “Help” menu, and select “Check for Updates”. If you not running iTunes 7.6, it’ll tell you that a new version is available.
Once you updated your iPod software, and updated iTunes, you’ll need to restart your computer (at least on a PC, not sure about Macs)
Repeat the first 3 steps.
4 - Make sure “Manually manage my music and videos” and “Sync only checked songs and videos” are both OFF (no checked)
If Manually manage my music and videos” was on, you’ll end up having to blow away everything on your ipod. Ya I know, sucks.
5 - Click Apply, then click Sync.
The very first thing it syncs is the software upgrade, but to be on the safe side, let the sync complete its process. Eject your iPod and verify that your software is installed. You’ll notice right away if it is, you should be seeing another 5 buttons on your home screen. If you don’t, I would make sure that you actually purchased your software to begin with.
Hope that helps.
38 Matthelseth // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
39 patrick // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
40 debbie_grbr // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
I was just given an iTouch and have the option to take it back within the next couple of days for a free upgrade or refund. I need to decide whether to keep it the way it is, get the free upgrade, or return it and pay a bit more for the new version, new one, but after reading this I'm not so sure that would even be a good idea. If the new iTouch has the same software that is giving everyone problems with the upgrade, then does it have problems too?
Does anybody here have the NEW ipod touch? Does it also have problems? And what's this about not being able to manually manage music and vidoes? Is that an ongoing problem? I have seen commments on another site that questioned whether the new Itouch update does not give you anything that is already available now as third party software.
Any thoughts on this?
41 sb; // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
42 sbl // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
43 sbl // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
44 Stephanie // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
45 Stephanie // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
46 pedro vit // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
it worked fine with your recommendations
47 Chris // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
After upgrading you can switch the manual management back on, works great.
48 Mark Brown // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
49 Mark Brown // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
50 Virginia // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
51 holly Cocker // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
I still haven't managed to install the upgrade. I am just trying the whole restore method to t ry and get it.
This is pathetic that we are struggling to do something which apple describes as simple.
52 Gerry // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
53 Tim // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
54 jake // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
Meanwhile, the greedy ba$tards have my $20 that they're charging for the firmware upgrade.
Now I find out (from reading this thread, not from Apple) that in order to install this upgrade I have to uncheck Manual Synch, which basically means I am going to have to back after the "upgrade" and manually install the music that I want because an Auto Synch will screw everything up.
Wonderful. Terrific. Great job, Apple. Charge me $20 for a firmware update PLUS make it a huge hassle and inconvenience.
I tell you, why anyone thinks Apple is such a great friend of the consumer is absolutely beyond me.
55 Sandi // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
56 lje_84 // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
57 Mark Bulbeck // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
It just says OK rather than purchase or buy.
They do know about it, it's affecting multiple people and they are working on it!
58 Bahama Boi // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
59 No Name // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
So if u know how i can buy & download it, then please tell me :)
60 Mark Drew // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
do a Software Upgrade, make sure you have updated your iTouch and then buy the upgrade. Make sense?
61 tombo // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
62 JamesPope // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
63 JamesPope // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
64 Matt Woodward // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
65 JamesPope // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
66 Julio // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
67 tom // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
i then emailed apple and they are going to refund me the money for the 1 that didnt work.
just incase u wanted it that badly and are prepared to lose $20 for a couple of days?
68 JamesPope // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=271872604&s=143441
This link (when put into Internet Explorer or Firefox) will open your itunes, and bring you to a different page to purchase the January Software Update. I have no clue why Apple couldnt tell me this info on the phone, but trust me, it worked, and I'm pleased to say that the WebApps are wicked as hell!! enjoy!
69 Jeff // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
It finally worked.
70 Durant Greenwood // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
Itunes v7.6
ipod touch v1.1.3
the 2 checkboxes are NOT checked as instructed.
tried restore many times, creating a new account everytime, but when it starts syncing, it craters with the error we all know and love.
any ideas?
durant
71 Mikey // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
72 lisa // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
73 NoName // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
Well.. my iPod have the new update but.. The "Buy" buttem isn't there ??
74 Nj1 // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
with iTunes stores? They won't have anything for everyone who resides in
Asia, LatAm or Africa? Has anyone got any response on this from Apple?
75 mark // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
details requested into my i touch but it justs comes back saying unable to
connect.
Any ideas?
76 MLJA // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
77 Jakob Mattsson // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
78 vince // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
download it i tried 2 things the apple site and james posted another one but
they always re direct me to the itunes store i have 1.1.3 and itunes 7.6 so
if someone knows what to do or have a soloution please email me to
darkstarrulz2003@yahoo.com
79 ShannonLee // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
80 Amoureaux // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
81 Amoureaux // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
82 Stringer Bell // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
83 Noil // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
i go to the stupid apple website to do so.
It takes me to the itunes store an shows me the page to buy it. But theirs only an "OK" button on the bottom.
Where is the "BUY NOW BUTTON"???????/
i'v follwed many of every bodies steps but most of them don't work if i cant event purchase the upgrade.
whats the deal here?.
84 Sean Reilly // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
JamesPope, thank you very much! Your post ended almost an hour of wasted time trying to figure out where I could actually purchase the update.
85 Noil // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
86 Alyson // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
upgrade. It says to disconnet the IPod and I have done that and then reconnected it at several differnt points but no luck.
Any ideas?
87 Joey // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
88 me // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
89 iain // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
i click on the "buy now" button and it says its going to the itunes store.
i check itunes and its done nothing.
i have the 1.1.4 update, im not sure if thats the problem but im a bit annoyed
90 K234 // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
91 jeremiah sullivan // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
software updaTE COMING OUT AND IT sounds like it will have the stuff in the january software update and more. I am so angry with apple for taking it down I bought it before then had to restart it and it got deleted and i got a new computer so i cant get it back on my ipod. I am trying to figure out a way though. Ill tell u if i find a way to get it on your ipod even if u never downloaded in the first place. I bet a genius bar or something like that may be able to put it on
92 jeremiah sullivan // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
93 hi // Sep 30, 2008 at 8:19 PM
94 blake // Oct 24, 2009 at 8:01 PM
Leave a Comment