Welcome to the iPadForums guide to upgrading your 6.x iPad jailbreak!
From time to time you may be faced with the opportunity to upgrade from one jailbreakable version of IOS to the next. For example, this guide could be used to upgrade a jailbroken iPad on IOS 6.1 to 6.1.2, maintaing all of the Apple and Cydia apps, tweaks, and settings on the way. This guide will only support you upgrading to a version of IOS which Apple is currently signing. At the time of writing, there is no known way to get around Apples security regardless of what SHSH Blobs you may have saved, so only the "current" version of IOS can be upgraded to. This guide also assumes that the "latest" version of IOS can be jailbroken. If it can't, then you are pretty much stuck where you are... Sorry

If you happen to be trying to upgrade from an older version of IOS, such as 5.0.1 or 5.1.1, then this guide is still valid for you, however you need to be more careful around how you approach backing up and restoring your Cydia tweaks and settings. Compatibility between major versions of IOS and tweaks from Cydia is a complex web, and just because you have things running fine on 5.x, does not necessarily mean they will work at all well on 6.x. The best advice for upgrading an older jailbreak is to use the "manual" mentod of backing up your jailbreak. i.e, write down all the teaks you have installed and re-install them manually again once you have a 6.x jailbroken device

Note: You should never try to use the iTunes "Update" option or Over The Air (OTA) update feature on a jailbroken device. This will simply fail and likely render your device temporarily inoperable until you perform a full restore using iTunes.

Preparation
Download the latest version of the evasi0n tool for your desktop PC OS from the official site here - http://evasi0n.com/. You will need to jailbreak the device during the process.

Optionally, you can also download the latest firmware directly to your PC to make the upgrade process easier and more reliable. Download the latest version of IOS from our handy thread here - Official Apple IOS Firmware Download Links for iPad

The basic upgrade process is relatively simple...

• Backup your iPad using either iTunes or iCloud.
• Optionally backup your jailbreak apps, tweaks and settings.
• Restore the device to the latest version of IOS using iTunes on the PC.
• Restore your backup taken in step 1.
• Jailbreak the device.
• Restore your jailbreak backup taken in step 2.

The rest of the guide provides a little more information on each step...

Let's Upgrade the Jailbreak!

1. Backup! Whenever you are going to make a significant change to your device you should always perform a backup first
   It does not matter whether you use iTunes or iCloud to backup your device, although using iTunes on your PC (even as a one off for this process), is usually faster than relying on the cloud.
   If you use iCloud, go to Settings > iCloud > Storage & Backup > Back Up Now.
   If you are using iTunes, connect your iPad to the PC, open iTunes, select your device, and on the Summary tab press "Back Up Now".
2. Backup the Jailbreak! This is an optional step, and how / if you choose to backup your jailbreak data will depend on the complexity of the JB setup you have on your device. You have 2 basic choices...
   i) don't bother backing up any aspect of the jailbreak and start again, installing all your tweaks and apps from Cydia once you have completed the upgrade. In this case, you might find it useful to write down all the tweaks you have installed, or take some screenshots to remind you of the setup
   ii) use a jailbreak backup application such as PkgBackup or xBackup. These provide comprehensive options for backing up all of your tweaks, apps, settings, and often additional things such as themes, icon layouts etc. See our guide on PkgBackup for more info here - HOW TO - Use PKGBackup to safeguard your Jailbreak Apps & Settings
3. Restore the device to the latest firmware in iTunes. Connect your iPad to the PC, start iTunes, and select your device. If you downloaded the firmware file to your desktop, as recommended in the preparation section, you should hold down the Shift key (Windows) or Alt key (OSX) whilst clicking the "restore" button on the Summary tab. This will allow you to select the firmware file and avoid the lengthy, and sometimes troublesome, iTunes download process. If you don't have the firmware file to hand, simply click the "Restore" button and let iTunes do the work. If you do happen to run into an error related to the file not being downloaded properly, consider downloading it manually as suggested at the start of this guide.
   iTunes will take around 10 minutes to fully restore the device to a clean, factory fresh state. Remember, you can only restore the current / latest version of IOS using this method. You cannot restore any previous version of IOS 6.x.
4. Restore your Backup! When the restore operation completes, allow your iPad to reboot whilst still connected to your PC. iTunes should prompt you with 2 options. Either setup the device as new, or restore from a previous backup. IF you chose to use iTunes to make your backup in Step 1, then you should choose to restore the device from that backup. Allow the restoration of your backup and a full sync with iTunes to complete.
   If you chose to use iCloud, now is the time to disconnect the device from the PC. You must then complete the Setup Wizard on the device, and when prompted for your details make sure you follow the flow which results in you restoring your iCloud backup in full. You only get this option whilst initially setting up the device. If you make a mistake, you will need to reset the device from the Settings menu in order to activate the option again (note you should never normally do this if you are a jailbreaker - only in this one special case!).
   If you do use iCloud, but have a large number of apps etc. to restore from backup, you can connect the iPad to the PC and sync it once the initial restoration of your backup is completed. Otherwise, all your apps will be re-installed by downloading them from Apple again, which depending on your network connection, could take a very long time!
5. Jailbreak! Once all of your stock apps, settings, media, etc are restored back onto the device, it's time to jailbreak it again. Shut down iTunes, start the evasi0n tool, and follow the instructions. Don't forget our guide here if you need a refresher - TUTORIAL - Jailbreak the iPad with IOS 6.0 to 6.1 using evasi0n
   If all goes well, you should now have a jailbroken device with a clean install of Cydia on it.
6. Restore the Jailbreak! Depending on how you approached Step 2, it's now time to restore your jailbreak to its former glory. If you chose the manual method, then you know what to do. Simply go into Cydia (allowing it to initialise first time as normal) and then install your tweaks / apps until you are happy.
   If you used one of the Jailbreak backup tools, use Cydia to install the tool first. Then start the tool (e.g. PkgBackup) and configure it appropriately so that your backup can be restored.

Congratulations - If everything went to plan, you are now the proud owner of an upgraded Jailbroken Device!

If you run into any problems trying to upgrade which are not covered in the guide, please post your issues below and we will do our best to help!

Nice one!

Thanks for the update (and its added to my list of "must have" links).

Marilyn

"It does not matter whether you use iTunes or iCloud to backup your device"

Unfortunately, this is no longer true. Apple is censoring emails sent to the cloud, which means that content is being sifted for acceptability.

Thus, backing up to the cloud is less desirable than backing up to a machine under your control, unless you want to risk loss of data -- or greater attention -- if you trip flags looking for unapproved apps, files, mentions of jailbreaking, etc.

Originally Posted by SoloPilot

"It does not matter whether you use iTunes or iCloud to backup your device"

Unfortunately, this is no longer true. Apple is censoring emails sent to the cloud, which means that content is being sifted for acceptability.

Thus, backing up to the cloud is less desirable than backing up to a machine under your control, unless you want to risk loss of data -- or greater attention -- if you trip flags looking for unapproved apps, files, mentions of jailbreaking, etc.

I don't know where you get your information from, but this sounds like utter FUD and trolling to me. Can you provide any legitimate source?

You are perhaps referring to this? - http://www.businessinsider.com/apple...sorship-2013-2

It is complete and utter rubbish to suggest that Apple are censoring emails for jailbreak related content. More likely, their spam filters are picking up unacceptable phrases related to pornography, as laid out in that article.

Every single one of my devices is backed up to the Apple iCloud service, and to suggest that I am risking "loss of data - or greater attention" because I am a jailbreaker is pure make-believe. There is certainly a rational argument that can be made for having your backup stored on infrastructure over which you have direct physical control, but to suggest a cloud based conspiracy about tripping flags at the mention of jailbreaking like this is simply bizzarre.

It sounds like your tinfoil hat may have slipped off. I suggest you reaffix it, but for the time being our forums will not be recommending to our members that they stop using Apple's iCloud service on the basis of your knowledge on the subject.

So, for the record, and in the context of this tutorial guide relating to upgrading your jailbreak -

It does not matter whether you use iTunes or iCloud to backup your device, although using iTunes on your PC (even as a one off for this process), is usually faster than relying on the cloud.

Thanks for the guide.It is very useful.

FACT: Apple has ADMITTED that they are sifting data sent to iCloud, and filtering same based on content.

FACT: They have not released details on what they are using for criteria.

FACT: They have deleted LEGITIMATE content based on those unknown criteria.

FACT: Apple actively works to kill jailbreaks and maintain control over content of iPods, iPads and iPhones, and sought to have jailbreaking PROSECUTABLE under Federal law.

FACT: Apple's TAC for iCloud specifically says that content may be subject to damage, corruption, loss or removal, and that Apple shall not be responsible if that happens.

FACT: Apple's TAC prohibits "h. upload, post, email, transmit, store or otherwise make available any material that contains viruses or ANY OTHER COMPUTER CODE, files or programs designed to harm, interfere or limit the NORMAL OPERATION of the Service (or any part thereof), OR ANY OTHER COMPUTER SOFTWARE OR HARDWARE; " (emphasis mine) -- Apple considers jailbreaking to be interference with the normal operation of computer software and hardware.

To go over that again, we have a company which desired Federal prosecution for jailbreaking, which admits that they sift data sent to them and delete data based on secret criteria (despite that data being legal), and which has written the Terms and Conditions to permit them to do so without liability.

Given all of the above, I consider it foolish to believe that it is "bizarre" to suggest that there is a risk to trusting that company to store data dealing with jailbreaking, or which is only available through jailbreaking. This is the equivalent of driving through a speed trap at 9 MPH over the speed limit, counting on a belief that the cops won't cite until you're 10 MPH over the limit (I wouldn't suggest telling that to the judge). The only thing keeping Apple from deleting stuff having to do with jailbreaking is that they haven't decided to do so . . .WE THINK . . .

If you think that's "tinfoil hat" stuff, you haven't been paying attention to Apple's own words.

Lots of great info. Love it.

Originally Posted by SoloPilot

To go over that again, we have a company which desired Federal prosecution for jailbreaking, which admits that they sift data sent to them and delete data based on secret criteria (despite that data being legal), and which has written the Terms and Conditions to permit them to do so without liability.

Given all of the above, I consider it foolish to believe that it is "bizarre" to suggest that there is a risk to trusting that company to store data dealing with jailbreaking, or which is only available through jailbreaking. This is the equivalent of driving through a speed trap at 9 MPH over the speed limit, counting on a belief that the cops won't cite until you're 10 MPH over the limit (I wouldn't suggest telling that to the judge). The only thing keeping Apple from deleting stuff having to do with jailbreaking is that they haven't decided to do so . . .WE THINK . . .

If you think that's "tinfoil hat" stuff, you haven't been paying attention to Apple's own words.

Then I sir, am a fool. What you describe above in terms of the often questionable legal protection companies seek to protect their line of business, the draconian EULA / Terms of Service which just about every commercially available consumer electronics device, internet service, and piece of software you use today has, and the standard practice of email providers to run spam filters over which you have no knowledge or control of over all the messages that pass through their hubs, describes not just Apple, but probably every other company with an interest in those sectors. They are indeed, "all out to get us".

I look forward to the morning where the "Feds" are knocking on my door over here in Scotland because of all the US Laws I have broken by jailbreaking. Oh, wait.... that's right. Jailbreaking is not illegal anywhere AFAIK. Whew.... I'll tell that to the judge. Your speeding analogy is about knowingly breaking the law and hoping you will get away with it thanks to the good grace of law enforcement personnel. The use of iCloud whilst jailbroken is not analogous to this at all.

I still stand by my statement in the context of this tutorial guide relating to upgrading your jailbreak -

It does not matter whether you use iTunes or iCloud to backup your device, although using iTunes on your PC (even as a one off for this process), is usually faster than relying on the cloud.

and wholeheartedly reject that, according to you, this is no longer true. We must have a very different definition of the word "true" on this side of the pond.

thanks for this. Used it yesterday to update my ipad 4 to 6.1.2, with zero issues.

Originally Posted by hpower1

thanks for this. Used it yesterday to update my ipad 4 to 6.1.2, with zero issues.

That's great to hear. Always nice to get positive feedback and stories of success
Enjoy 6.1.2!