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iOS 6.1.3 on iPad Review

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Yesterday, Apple released its latest update to iOS 6 and iOS 6.1 in the form of iOS 6.1.3. The update, which rolled out to owners of all iPhone, iPad and iPod touch models running iOS 6, was a small update, but as we’ve seen Apple’s iOS updates, even small iOS updates can bring unforeseen problems. After spending some time with the latest update, it’s time to delve in and see just how the iOS 6.1.3 update performs on the iPad.

Read: iOS 6.1.3 on iPhone 5 Review: Impressions and Performance.

In late January, Apple rolled out its latest and greatest update to iOS 6, iOS 6.1, an update that brought, for the first time, some new features to Apple’s latest mobile software. While the features weren’t as substantial as past iOS .1 updates, the features were a nice addition, particularly the new lock screen music controls which are vastly improved, particularly on the iPhone, from the previous ones.

In addition to those new features though, iOS 6.1 brought some trouble along with it. Shortly after its arrival, owners of the iPhone 4S started experiencing 3G connectivity issues and owners of iPhones and iPads running iOS 6.1 started reporting devastating battery drain.

Apple almost immediately tackled the 3G connectivity issues by pushing an iOS 6.1.1 update to iPhone 4S owners shortly after the arrival of iOS 6.1. The battery drain issue was soon discovered to be caused by Exchange, specifically, a bug within its calendar that caused devices to connect an absurd number of times to the server, causing severe battery drain.

The company attempted to tackle this issue with iOS 6.1.2. As we told you though, we heard from not only iPhone owners, but iPad owners as well who were experiencing battery drain even after updating to iOS 6.1.2.

Finally, after weeks of waiting, iPad owners and owners of the iPhone and iPod touch were graced with the latest update to iOS 6.1, iOS 6.1.3, which promised to fix a security flaw with the iPhone and add Apple Maps features in Japan. This means that it’s not a big update to iPad owners.

However, given the problems that past iOS updates have brought though, there are likely iPad owners out there who are waiting to hear feedback about the update before installing the new software. Here, we take a look at the iOS 6.1.3 update for the iPad, particularly the third-generation iPad, to see if it has brought more harm than good and whether or not it’s safe to install.

Updating Seemed Faster Than Normal

While the iPhone 5 iOS 6.1.3 update checked in at 18MB in size, the iPad 3’s update was around 17MB in size. However, unlike the iPhone 5 update which took about 10 minutes, the iOS 6.1.3 on my iPad took far less time.

The iOS 6.1.3 update for iPad installed extremely fast.

The iOS 6.1.3 update for iPad installed extremely fast.

Instead of a status bar showing me the progress of installing the update, right after agreeing to Apple’s terms, the iPad rebooted and started to install the update. I honestly did not even have time to see the software download, it was that fast. I honestly cannot remember the last time this happened, so this may be the fastest I’ve ever seen an iOS update installed on my iPad.

It’s also something to keep in mind for those that might be prompted by the OTA update. If you’re in the middle of something, make sure you save because it could be that you won’t have any time to back out of the update’s installation process.

iOS 6.1.3 Battery Life: So Far, So Good

After both the iOS 6.1 and iOS 6.1.2 updates for the iPad, we heard from iPad owners who were reporting abnormal battery drain. A few of those were being caused by the Exchange calendar bug that was discovered within iOS 6.1 and others seemed to have no connection.

As someone who does not use Exchange, it’s impossible for me to verify whether or not the issues that iPad owners were having were rectified with iOS 6.1.3, but from the good news I’ve heard from iPhone owners and the lack of complaints on the Apple support forums from iPad owners, I get the feeling that these issues may have been resolved.

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Lingering battery life issues may have been addressed as well.

It appears that there are a few people on the support forums complaining about poor battery life after iOS 6.1.3, but the don’t explicitly mention Exchange and for the most part, things are quiet. My suggestion is, as always, to let the battery run down to 0% and recharge it to 100% and see how it performs from there.

If it’s still acting funny, do a Factory Reset and things should return to normal.

I can confirm that my device is currently experiencing normal battery life after installing iOS 6.1.3 and I’m seeing no abnormal battery drain. Instead, it’s the same fantastic battery life that I’ve been accustomed to.

Sound is Working Normally

Oddly enough, it sounds like iPad owners, iPad 3 owners in particular, have been having some sound issues with their iPad. Some have said that the issues arose after installing iOS 6.1.2 and that while they hoped that iOS 6.1.3 would fix the issue, it apparently did not.

Obviously, not having any sound coming out of a device like the iPad, which is perfect for gaming and listening/reading books, is not ideal. However, I’ve experienced no such problems with my iPad after iOS 6.1.3. Sounds are working properly.

The sound on my iPad 3 has been working properly since installing.

The sound on my iPad 3 has been working properly since installing.

Users are reporting a fix for the issue and if you’re experiencing no sound after iOS 6.1.3 or a previous update, try heading into Settings>General>Reset>Reset All Settings.

If that doesn’t work, it might be time to bring the device into an Apple Store for treatment.

Wi-Fi Connectivity is Strong

There have been all sorts of complaints about Wi-Fi connectivity after iOS 6 and its many updates and while I experienced them after updating to iOS 6, I haven’t had any issues since Apple issued some initial fixes to iOS 6 in the months after its release.

After installing iOS 6.1.3, my Wi-Fi connection remains strong and I haven’t experienced any drops or laggy connections in the hours since I’ve been running the new software.

Those that are still experiencing issues will want to head to this thread in order to find one of the many working remedies for the issue.

Can’t Find Major Bugs

So far, so good with iOS 6.1.3. While several major issues were uncovered after iOS 6.1 arrived, iOS 6.1.3 doesn’t seem to have brought any nasty bugs along with it which is a good thing for those toting the iPad 3 and other versions of Apple’s slate. That’s not to say that bugs won’t be discovered down the road but thus far, there don’t appear to be any big security breaches or catastrophic issues with the software.

Should You Install iOS 6.1.3 for iPad?

That said, iOS 6.1.3 is a recommended update for iPad owners, particularly those that may be experiencing battery life issues on iOS 6.1.2. iOS 6.1.3 doesn’t appear to have brought any issues of its own so it likely can only help not hurt.

Throw in the fact that it doesn’t have any major issues and it’s an update that is worth installing for everyone but those that want to jailbreak their iPad 3 or iPad 4.

How to evasi0n iOS 6.1 Jailbreak - iPhone 5 - 7

Those looking to jailbreak their iPad will not want to install iOS 6.1.3.

iOS 6.1.3 has patched up the exploits used by the Evadr3s team and its Evasi0n jailbreak. Those that wish to jailbreak their iPad will need to remain on iOS 6.1.2 in order to do so while those that are already jailbroken will of course not want to update to the latest version of iOS.

For everyone else, the update appears to be safe to install.

23 Comments

23 Comments

  1. Carl

    03/20/2013 at 6:30 pm

    I have new iPhone 4 and just update it and there no sound at all

  2. Katherine

    03/20/2013 at 9:21 pm

    Why won’t the new update let me send pictures on my iPad

  3. Steve

    03/21/2013 at 8:44 am

    iPads in school network do not connect to wireless networks when update is not completed

  4. Greg

    03/21/2013 at 5:11 pm

    After I installed the update, I noticed battery drain that I did not have on the previous updates.

  5. Dave

    03/21/2013 at 7:13 pm

    I am so mad, my sound is completely gone after downloading this stupid ****** update. What a piece of crap.

  6. Terri

    03/22/2013 at 5:25 am

    I have had battery drain issues too since the 6.1.3 update. I used to be able to go all day ( work hours) on one charge. My battery is at 67% after 1 hour.

  7. Netnet

    03/22/2013 at 9:21 pm

    We got two ipad3, after updating iOS 6.1.3, the first ipad I update works so well but then the other has no sound unless I use headphones or speakers. I already did all suggested fix I read, and even reset it many times…it’s so frustrating because I’m using this ipad to entertain my daughter….pls. Do help me what can I do to fix it….thanks!

  8. howard mumm

    03/22/2013 at 11:03 pm

    no sound AT ALL after IOS 6.1.3 on iphone 4s there are hundreds of people on the net screaming about this issue

  9. RadicalDad

    03/23/2013 at 2:19 am

    What, no review update? iOS 6.1.3 has a new lock screen bug, but no mention of that here. Won’t be reading YOUR reviews again.

  10. shay

    03/23/2013 at 4:03 am

    same issue, no sound at all after the update iOS 6.1.3 on iphone 4s

  11. MUHAMMAD HAROON ANSARI

    03/23/2013 at 3:04 pm

    DEAR APPLE MANAGEMENT,

    YOUR EFFORTS ARE GOOD BUT THERE ARE MORE THAN 5 KNOWN CASES TO ME WHOSE WIFI CONNECTIVITY IS NOT AS STRONG AS IPH4S. REALLY SO DISAPPOINTED DUE TO THIS CONNECTIVITY PROBLEM IN IPH5. JUST THINKING TO GET RID OF IPH5 AND TAKE I PH4S AGAIN. REALLY SO STRANGE THAT APPLE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE THIS WIFI CONNECTIVITY PROBLEM SINCE ITS ARRIVAL. REALLY FEEL LIKE LEAVING APPLE….SHAME ON APPLE

  12. Mary

    03/25/2013 at 12:41 pm

    No sounds on my iPhone 5 after this update! This is awful.

  13. ryno1977

    03/26/2013 at 1:40 am

    Battery drain much worse after updating to 6.1.3 on ipad2.
    Going overseas in one day so not very impressed.

  14. Virginia Knutson

    03/26/2013 at 5:08 am

    Same problem…no sounds after update on Ipad. I am so mad! How can this be fixed???

  15. amit kumar

    03/27/2013 at 8:38 am

    It’s is very smooth, shiny and fantastic device. Honest I have belief in your review the device is awesome. I checked full features of this phone this website as well. https://www.gadtecho.com/

  16. yoga

    03/27/2013 at 11:50 pm

    can someone tell me the way to bring back sound in ipad 4? after 6.1.3 i.. i want to go back to 6.0.1…that was far better and very less issues than 6.1.3 .please help

  17. Lee

    03/29/2013 at 10:53 pm

    I can’t even power on my I Pad anymore after this update ????? How can I fix this or even try with no power at all. Very unhappy with Apple !!!!!

  18. deluxejournal

    04/23/2013 at 1:01 pm

    Please what is the size of 6.1.3 update for ipad 3 if am updating via itunes on my laptop? Thanks. Pls do get back to me ASAP

  19. Adebayo Olufemi

    04/23/2013 at 2:50 pm

    I’m having issues with my ipad3…the battery drain while plugged and in use instead of slow charging. Pls anyone have an idea of how this can be fixed.

  20. Natasha

    04/29/2013 at 6:22 pm

    My iPad 3 is having a lot of issues with photos after the latest update. My camera roll gets reshuffled almost on a daily basis. Apps freeze or/and perform well. I was told to bring my iPad to factory setting- meaning erasing everything! I also encountered problems with me email- it changed part of my name. I had to delete me gmail account and reinstall it. Has anyone had similar problems?

  21. Quixpeed

    05/10/2013 at 9:35 am

    Mine is ipad2 running iso 5.1.1, i usually update my apps according to app store requirements, i lost the loud speaker sound since the latestupdats came for ios 6.1.3.
    So i guess the problem is really the latest version itself.
    Also cydia seems to suffer from these updates as it acts abnormally. Blank grey screen.

  22. KG

    05/25/2013 at 2:12 am

    If you would like to get rid of iOS 6.1.3 google for “downgrade iOS”. You’ll see there is a way using iTunes backups. Don’t know what happenes if you downgrade a jailbroken iPad.

  23. Enocent Silwamba

    10/01/2013 at 3:56 am

    I have just purchased an iPad version 6.1.3 but I can’t find SIM card tray on it? Does anyone know? Bought it in UK delivered to Zambia.

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