iOS6 is out: Here's your guide for upgrading

Update made available in India at 10:30 pm yesterday latest iPhone and the iPod come with pre-loaded iOS6

The 'world's most advanced mobile operating system' has just got better. The latest iteration (iOS6) of operating system for iPhone, iPod and iPad is out. The update was made available in India at 10:30 pm yesterday. Here's your step-by-step guide to update.

As we already know, iOS6 can be downloaded on iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, fourth generation iPod touch, iPad 2 and the newest iPad. The latest iPhone and the iPod, of course, come with pre-loaded iOS6. If you are using any of these devices it's highly recommended that you update the operating system with latest version.

Unlike any previous major iOS updates, the latest version can also be downloaded over-the-air (OTA), which means you can directly download iOS 6 by merely clicking few options. So this time around you can choose from any of the three different methods available.

The most easiest and recommended method is over-the-air. However, to take this route you will need access to a Wi-Fi network. If you tick this box, then getting iOS6 is only a few more ticks away. You just have to setting>general>software update on your device and it will do the rest.

If you don't have a Wi-Fi connection, you can update your iDevice by connecting to iTunes. Simply, connect your device to iTunes either on a PC or mac with an active Internet connection. Immediately, a message box will prompt asking whether you want to install iOS6. It will then ask you to back up your device (recommended). Once you do that it will start downloading the latest software.

The third method is by separately downloading the iOS6 set up file, known as IPWS, from third-party sites. There are a number of sites that host these files. A simple Google search would take you to one of them. Each iDevice will have a customised set up file for iOS 6, which will range between 500 MB and1 GB. Make sure you select the right one. This method is only recommended if you don't have a stable Internet connection. If you take this route, it's recommended that you download the IPSW file using a 'download manager' so that even if you lose Internet connection, you don't have to resume download from the beginning.  Once you are done with loading the IPWS file for your device, you will need to connect to iTunes via a USB cable. After that you, simultaneously click on restore and shift key (Alt/Option key on Mac). Then select the downloaded iOS 6 IPSW file and let the restore process complete.

All the data and personalised settings will remain the same if you update your device using OTA or iTunes. However, the third method will lead to loss of data.