If you’ve a jailbroken iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, and trying to update it to iOS 8 using OTA update, then you are probably seeing the “Checking for Update” screen as you can see above.

The issue is expected behaviour with jailbroken devices, as most modern jailbreaks like evasi0n and Pangu disable OTA updates to ensure jailbreakers don’t accidentally install the update.

So the only option jailbreakers have is that you have to update your device using iTunes. You can follow these simple instructions to update your iOS device to iOS 8:

Note: Upgrading your device you will end up losing your jailbreak, and the installed jailbreak tweaks.

The iOS 8 update is available as a free upgrade for the following iOS devices:

• iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5 and iPhone 4s
• iPad Air, iPad 4, iPad 3 and iPad 2
• Retina iPad mini, 1st gen iPad mini
• 5th generation iPod touch

Backup of your iOS Device

It is very important to take a backup of your iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch before updating it with the latest iOS software update. (Note that if you choose to encrypt your backup using iTunes, along with normal data, secure information like passwords etc. are also backed up.) There is also a probability of the upgrade process putting your device in recovery mode (Connect to iTunes logo on the screen), which is why it is extremely important to take a backup so you can restore your data from the backup if things go horribly wrong.

You can back up your iOS device using iTunes or iCloud.

• How to backup using iCloud
• How to backup using iTunes

How to install iOS 8 update using iTunes:

Before you plug in your iOS device. take a moment to make sure you are using the latest version of iTunes. Click on iTunes in the menu bar and then click  on “Check for Updates..”.

Once iTunes is all squared away, it’s time to turn your attention to your iOS device and follow these instructions:

Step 1: Connect your iOS device to your computer using an USB cable. Wait for iTunes to open and connect to your device.

Step 2: Click on device button to the left of the iTunes Store button in the top right corner in iTunes.

Step 3: Click on the “Check for Update” . If the iOS 8 update is available it will automatically download and update your device to iOS 8.

Step 4: You will get a popup message informing you the new update is available. Click on Download and Update button. If it says iOS 7.1.2 is the latest version then download the appropriate firmware file using download links provided in step 5.

Step 5: Skip this step if you iOS 8.0 was available in Step 4.

Download the firmware file for your device using the download links provided below [Note the download file could be as big as 1.7 GB]:

Note: If you’re downloading the firmware file using Safari then ensure that auto unzip feature is disabled or use Chrome or Firefox.

Note: You will be able to find the model number starting with at the back of your device.

If you’re not sure which iOS firmware file to download then check our posts below:

• Which iOS firmware file based on iPhone model
• Which iOS firmware file based on iPad model

After the firmware file has been downloaded, Hold down on the Option key (Mac) or the Shift key (Windows), and click on “Check for Update”. This will open the file manager. Now select the firmware file and click on the Open button.

Step 7: If you get a popup message informing you that iTunes will update your iPhone/iPad/iPod touch to iOS 8.0 and will verify with Apple. Click on the Update button.

Step 8: It will then show you the release notes for iOS 8. Click on the Next button. Then click on the Agree button for the terms and conditions.

Step 9: iTunes will now download the firmware file (which can take a long time depending on your internet connection as it can be as big as 2.1GB). After downloading the file, it will process it, extract the software, prepare the device for software update, and install the update.

Step 10: Do not disconnect your device until the update has finished. It can take a few minutes. Your device will be updated to iOS 8.0 and reboot once or twice during the process. You will see while Hello screen after it is successfully update. Follow the on-screen instructions to start using the device.

As always, let us know how it goes. If you need help or have any questions, please use the iOS 8 forums. It is the fastest way to get a response from us or someone from the community.