Discussion about
tonigm

Updating an iPad in a remote location (no connectivity)

I'm visiting my Gram in a few weeks - she lives in "middle America", in a region with no broadband but a pretty good cell signal. She has (and loves) an iPad 1 I gave her last year. She can't update most of the apps, however, because they won't update over the 3G signal.

I'm trying to figure out the best way to update it when I visit - any ideas? I am thinking a clean install of iTunes on a Mac laptop that I will sync with her iPad when I arrive, but can I download iOS5 and the new versions of apps BEFORE the first sync?

Any advice welcome!

sort by

3 replies
NotHotWater

NotHotWater

The first thing that pops in to my mind is tricking the iPad to think its on WiFi by using a phone with built in tethering. If you have an iPhone or an Android phone with a personal hotspot feature you can connect the iPad to that hotspot and it will think it's using WiFi - you should be free to go ahead and download all of the apps that way.

If you don't have that feature, you can download an iOS 5 IPSW here: www.limera1n.cc­/2011­/10­/download­-ios­-5­-ipsw­-firmwa...

As for apps, I don't know if its possible to download the latest version of them as standalone files for updating. I have never heard of doing that. Are there any internet cafes in the area or in a town close by where you can go and update all of her software?
1 like dislike
share
post reply
tonigm

tonigm

Thanks for the link! There is a very poor wifi hotspot in the local McDonalds, about 45 minutes away, so that's just not a good option. I means at least 3 hours less visit, so I'm not enthusiastic.
0 like dislike
share
post reply
Dawagner1

Dawagner1

Think MiFi where you pay as you go. I have seen an option somewhere where the 3G hardware runs about $90 and it cost about 4 cents a Megabyte through Trueconnect. Not sure what it would cost in "middle America," but there may be some similar options where "Gram" is located. Something to consider.
0 like dislike
share
post reply
share:

3 users following this discussion:

  • NotHotWater
  • tonigm
  • Dawagner1

This discussion has been viewed 428 times.
Last activity .