How To Download / Install iOS 9.2.1 On iPhone, iPad, iPod touch The Right Way

Among the major features introduced with iOS 9 were:

iOS 9 Download

iOS 9 is a revolution in iOS releases, with intelligent features that make your iPhone or iPad more proactive than ever before, as well as more secure, with the introduction of a number of new security features.

Update: Apple is now urging users of iPhone 4s, iPad Mini 1st, iPad 2nd and iPad 3rd generation to be updated to iOS 9.3.6, by Nov 3rd, 2019 to continue using their services. You can find the download links for the firmware below.

Active Firmwares:

Apple will only be signing two iOS versions at once – the latest one and the previous one. With the previous firmware, they stop signing after a week and, right now the below-listed version is the only ( active firmware ).

Expired Firmwares:

The following iOS 9 versions are no longer being signed:

iOS 9
iOS 9.0.1
iOS 9.0.2
iOS 9.1
iOS 9.2
iOS 9.2.1
iOS 9.3
iOS 9.3.1
iOS 9.3.2
iOS 9.3.3
iOS 9.3.4
iOS 9.3.5

If you try to put one of the expired versions on your iOS device, you will get a Requested Build Error 3194; it will tell you that your device isn’t eligible for the requested build. Keep reading because we will be telling you how you can safely downgrade your iOS version.

How to Install iOS 9 Firmware:

Before we get busy, there are a couple of things you need to do:

First, make sure that iTunes is up to date; you will need it for two methods:

Launch iTunes and click Help > Check For Updates
If iTunes requires updating, instructions will appear on the screen – follow them

Second, make sure your data is backed up – if anything goes wrong, you will lose everything.

Third, disable Find My iPhone/iPad and Passcode (Touch ID if it is enabled). These can be switched back on later.

Method 1: Over the Air (OTA)

While this is the smallest update, it is not compatible with any jailbreak; if you intend to install Cydia, do not use this method:

Launch Settings > General on your device
Choose Software Update
When iOS 9 update is found tap Download
Tap on Install and leave your device to update; when it reboots, it will be on the Hello screen.

Method 2: iTunes

Plug your device into your computer and open iTunes
If you have two or more devise registered, click the Summary for the device connected
Click on Update>Install
Wait; your iPhone or iPad will reboot when the update is finished
The Hello screen appears, and you can begin setting your device up

Method 3: iTunes with IPSW

Click the IPSW link below that corresponds to your device
Connect your device to your C/Mac and open iTunes
Choose the Summary for the connected device (only if you have more than one registered)
Press either the SHIFT (Windows) or ALT (Mac) key and click Restore at the same time
Find your IPSW file and click on it
Click on Install and iTunes will update your iPhone or iPad
When its all done, your device will reboot into the Hello screen

Download iOS 9.3.6 IPSW Links:

iPhone 4s (iPhone4,1 9.3.6)
iPad 3 (iPad3,2 9.3.6)
iPad 3 (iPad3,3 9.3.6)
iPad mini 1 (iPad2,6 9.3.6)
iPad mini 1 (iPad2,7 9.3.6)
iPad 2 (iPad2,3 9.3.6)

How to Downgrade iOS:

Looking to downgrade to an earlier version? It isn’t quite as simple as it is to update, but it still isn’t challenging to do; check out the guide below on how to do it:

Do let us know how you get on updating to the latest iOS 9 firmware, and for more tutorials like this, you can follow us on Facebook.

How To Download / Install iOS 9.2.1 On iPhone, iPad, iPod touch The Right Way

Here’s how you can download and install iOS 9, 9.0.1, 9.0.2, 9.2, 9.2.1 for iPhone, iPad or iPod touch the right way.

There are a few routes you can take when it comes to installation of iOS 9. But before we get into those, be sure to backup your device using iCloud or iTunes straight away, in case something goes wrong during the procedure. We highly recommend that you don’t move forward until or unless you’ve made a proper backup of your device.

All set? Let’s dive right into it!

Compatible Devices

Despite being a brand new mobile OS, iOS 9 is supported on pretty much every device you can imagine. Here’s the complete list of supported devices:

iPhone 6s Plus
iPhone 6s
iPhone 6 Plus
iPhone 6
iPhone 5s
iPhone 5c
iPhone 5
iPhone 4s
iPad mini 3
iPad mini 2
iPad mini
iPad Air 2
iPad Air
iPad Pro
iPad 4
iPad 3
iPad 2
iPod touch 6
iPod touch 5

Updating Over-The-Air (OTA)

Considering you have at least 2.5GB of space free on your iOS device, fully charged and connected to the Internet via WiFi, follow the steps outlined below.

1. Launch the Settings app from your home screen.

2. Now tap on ‘General.’

3. Look for an entry labelled ‘Software Update’ and tap on that as well.

4. Your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch will look for the update and present it to you. Go ahead with the installation process by tapping on ‘Download and Install.’

This can take a while depending on the amount of content you already have on your device. And also, since you’re updating from iOS 8.x to iOS 9 via OTA, hence you won’t lose your files.

Install Fresh / Clean Using iTunes

1. Download and install the latest version of iTunes on your PC or Mac. Don’t have iTunes installed? Then you can grab it from here: apple.com/itunes.

2. Download the iOS 9.2.1 IPSW file tailored for your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.

3. Connect your iOS device to your PC or Mac using a USB cable and launch iTunes.

4. Select your iOS device from the top left hand corner.

5. Hold down the left ‘Option’ key if you’re on a Mac, or the left ‘Shift’ key if you’re on Windows, then click on the ‘Restore iPhone’ button.

6. A new pop-up window will appear asking you to point it towards an IPSW file. Select the iOS 9 firmware file you downloaded in step 2.

7. iTunes will now extract the firmware file and restore it onto your device.

This process can take a while, but in the end, you’ll be presented with a fresh sight of iOS 9 on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.

Update Using iTunes

Although the above two mentioned procedures are the best to take if you’re looking to update your device, but if you want to take the good old fashioned route, then you can update your iOS device directly using iTunes without going into much hassle.

1. Download and install the latest version of iTunes onto your PC or Mac.

2. Connect your iOS device to your computer using a USB cable.

3. Select your iOS device in iTunes from the top left hand corner.

4. Now click on the ‘Check for Update’ button, which can be found right next to the ‘Restore iPhone’ button.

If there’s an update present, iTunes will notify you of it. Simply go ahead with the installation process and iTunes will even download the IPSW file for you so you don’t have to do much legwork from your end.

Which route you wish to take is entirely your call.

iOS 9: The Basics

Sam Costello has been writing about tech since 2000. His writing has appeared in publications such as CNN.com, PC World, InfoWord, and many others.

Updated on May 27, 2021
iOS controls apps in the background. Apple, Inc.

Whenever Apple debuts a new version of the iOS, the operating system for the iPhone and iPod touch, you have to figure out if your iPhone is compatible. Even if it is, you then have to decide if you should upgrade an older phone, since new software on old devices can be slow and buggy.

There are lots of new features and bug fixes in iOS 9. Plus, the upgrade supports more devices than in any previous release.

iOS 9 Compatible Devices

The Apple devices that are compatible with iOS 9 are:

iPhone	iPod touch	iPad
iPhone 6S series	6th generation iPod touch	iPad Pro
iPhone 6 series	5th generation iPod touch	iPad Air 2
iPhone SE	iPad Air
iPhone 5S	4th generation iPad
iPhone 5C	3rd generation iPad
iPhone 5	iPad 2
iPhone 4S	iPad mini 4
iPad mini 3
iPad mini 2
iPad mini

Important New iOS 9 Features

This version largely focused on improving core functionality and the stability of the iOS. Many observers had said that was needed after the rapid pace of changes introduced in iOS 7 and iOS 8. Still, while generally well-received, some critics said iOS 9 delivered fewer major features than other versions of the iOS.

Among the major features introduced with iOS 9 were:

Features designed to understand the user’s behaviors and proactively suggest tasks and features
Support for the 3D Touch screen on iPhone 6S series
Night Shift (in iOS 9.3 and up)
Low-Power Mode for extended battery life
Transit directions in Maps for selected cities
Numerous improvements to built-in apps
Interface changes on the iPad, including split-screen apps and picture-in-picture support for videos
Privacy and security improvements
Better support for older devices
Public beta program for early access to iOS updates.

Later iOS 9 Releases

Apple released 12 updates to iOS 9 after its debut. Every update maintained compatibility with all of the devices in the list above. Some updates added support for devices and features that hadn’t been released when iOS 9.0 was first released. These include iOS 9.1, which added support for the iPad Pro, Apple Pencil, and Apple TV 4, and iOS 9.3, which added Night Shift and support for multiple Apple Watches being paired to the same iPhone.

For a deeper look at every version of the iOS, check out iPhone Firmware & iOS History.

What to Do If Your Device Isn’t Compatible with iOS 9

If you don’t see your device on this list, it can’t run iOS 9. That may be disappointing, but don’t despair: iOS 8 is a good operating system (or, it could be that your device is too new and it can only run later versions).

That said, if your device is so old that it’s not supported here, you may want to think about upgrading. You’re probably eligible for an upgrade, so shop around. You might be able to get a great deal and some slick new hardware. Just make sure to check when the next model is coming out so that you don’t buy just before something new is released.

iOS 9 Release History

iOS 9.3.6 release: July 22, 2019
iOS 9.3.5 release: Aug. 25, 2016
iOS 9.3.4 release: Aug. 4, 2016
iOS 9.3.3 release: July 18, 2016
iOS 9.3.2 release: May 16, 2016
iOS 9.3.1 release: March 31, 2016
iOS 9.3 release: March 21, 2016
iOS 9.2.1 release: Jan. 19, 2016
iOS 9.2 release: Dec. 8, 2015
iOS 9.1 release: Oct. 21, 2015
iOS 9.0.2 release: Sept. 30, 2015
iOS 9.0.1 release: Sept. 23, 2015
iOS 9 release: Sept. 16, 2015

Apple released iOS 10 on Sept. 13, 2016.

How To Download / Install iOS 9.2.1 On iPhone, iPad, iPod touch The Right Way

iOS 9 Download

Active Firmwares:

Expired Firmwares:

How to Install iOS 9 Firmware:

Download iOS 9.3.6 IPSW Links:

Download iOS 9.3.5 IPSW Links:

How to Downgrade iOS:

How To Download / Install iOS 9.2.1 On iPhone, iPad, iPod touch The Right Way

Compatible Devices

Updating Over-The-Air (OTA)

Install Fresh / Clean Using iTunes

Update Using iTunes

iOS 9: The Basics

iOS 9 Compatible Devices

Important New iOS 9 Features

Later iOS 9 Releases

What to Do If Your Device Isn’t Compatible with iOS 9

iOS 9 Release History

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