IOS5 Bricked my device

You bricked your Apple device?

Most developers use a different technique to update their IOS and this generally works even if the device is bricked.

The problem is that you may loose your data if you don't have a backup.

Disclaimer: No warranty that this will work. If you try this on a working device you can brick the device. Do that at your own risk!

1 - Try a Reset

• Hold the Power button and the Home Button until you see an apple
• Release and press power to see if the device reboots

2 - Download ipsw file from Apple and flash

Download the iPSW file corresponding to your device. IPSW are the firmware files they are coming from Apple and that's what iTunes does install without telling you.

• iOS 5 For iPhone 3GS
• iOS 5 For iPhone 4 GSM
• iOS 5 For iPhone 4 CDMA
• iOS 5 For Pad
• iOS 5 For iPad 2 (iPad 2,2 & iPad 2,3)

• Plug in your "bricked" device via USB to your iTunes Computer
• In iTunes Option+click on the Check for Update button in iTunes.(To wipe your device and do a clean install, Option+click on Restore.)
• iTunes will display a file dialog
• Select the ipsw you downloaded
• IOS will be installed. You can see a white progress bar, Be patient
• When it is finished iTunes can prompt you for a device backup to restore
• Follow the instructions and be patient. This can take an hour if you have a lot of stuff

Other methods

3 - Reset & Restore

• Hold the Power button and the Home Button until you see an apple
• Release and press power to see if the device reboots
• If not plug your device via cable to iTunes
• Select your device in iTunes left column
• Click Restore. iTunes should go and fetch the latest IOS from Apple
  You should see a white horizontal progress bar download the setup/install
• When the IOS update is finished iTunes will ask you for a previous backup to restore
• You can say no at this time and verify that your device is OK or if you have a backup select and click. If you say no you can always restore later.
• Sync your device. This will take a good hour if you have a lot of stuff

4 - DFU - Digital Firmware Update

How to enter iPhone DFU mode

• Turn the device off (hold down the power button at the top of the iPhone) 
• Hold down the sleep/power button and home button together until device shuts off
• Continue to hold down the Home button ad release sleep/power
• While holding Home connect your device to iTunes on your computer used to sync
• You should see a USB cable and an iTunes icon on your screen
• Release the Home button
• Restore as shown above step 4 (select device and restore)

Exit DFU mode on iPhone

Exit out of DFU mode by holding down the Home and sleep/power buttons on the iPhone while connected to iTunes. Then just hit the power button as and this should reboot the device as usual.