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Why You Shouldn’t Install iOS 8 Right Now

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If you’re lingering on iOS 7.1 or below and looking to install iOS 8 (iOS 8.0.2), we suggest holding out for a little bit longer because we think there are some valid reasons why you should avoid upgrading to Apple’s iOS 8 update right now.

In mid-September, after a short stay in Apple’s beta program, the all new iOS 8.0 update was released for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. As expected, the iOS 8 update delivered a number of big time changes including improvements to the Photos app, iMessage, battery usage, accessibility, and more. As we’ve noted in our reviews, iOS 8 delivers some extremely useful features and it’s a step up from last year’s iOS 7 update, an update that laid the groundwork for the future.

It’s not iOS 8’s features that are causing problems for us, or for iPhone and iPad users, around the world though. It’s the problems that iOS 8 itself delivered when it arrived on that day back in September.

We detailed many of these iOS 8 problems in the hours and days after the iOS 8.0 release date in our initial impressions and roundups. And ultimately, complaints from iPhone and iPad users about these various iOS 8 issues forced Apple to release a couple of bug fix updates in the forms of iOS 8.0.1 and iOS 8.0.2.

Apple’s first bug fix update was iOS 8.0.1, an upgrade that rolled out in late September and one that immediately caused problems for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users. Cellular connectivity died and Touch ID stopped working for thousands of users around the world. Apple pulled the plug on iOS 8.0.1 and promised to issue a fix.

A day later, Apple made good on its promise. In late September, Apple rolled out iOS 8.0.2, an update similar to iOS 8.0.1 but one that came with fixes for those iPhone 6 iOS 8 problems. The arrival of iOS 8.0.2 has many iPhone and iPad users thinking about an upgrade from iOS 7 to iOS 8. Adoption rates are down and we’ve talked to several people who are leery of the iOS 8 update.

After using iOS 8.0.2 for nearly three weeks, we’ve come to the conclusion that unless you’re having tons of issues on iOS 8.0 or iOS 7.1.2 and below, there’s really no reason to install iOS 8 right now. Here’s why.

iOS 8.0.2 Problems

iOS 8.0.2 has been a very buggy experience. We’ve encountered bugs on the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 5, iPhone 4s, iPad 3, iPad Air, and the iPad mini with Retina Display. The iOS 8 bugs on the iPhones are far more prominent and there are two iOS 8 problems in particular that stand out to us at this time.

iPhone-6 copy

The first is a landscape issue. iPhones, and occasionally an iPad, will get stuck in landscape mode when shifting from portrait. It happens rather frequently on the iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6 and it’s especially annoying when it happens in the camera application. It can make for a horrendous experience when shooting photos and video. We’ve also noticed this issue on the iPhone 5 and it’s an issue that’s been encountered by the entire team. We’ve also heard from others that are noticing it after installing iOS 8.

The other issue is Bluetooth. Bluetooth in the car simply isn’t working correctly for many iOS 8 users. We’ve experienced the most trouble when trying to pair the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus to Bluetooth in the car though we’ve also seen the issue pop up on the iPhone 5. The issue is sporadic for some users while others say that it’s broken completely.

Sometimes the iPhone 6 Plus is stuck in landscape mode on iOS 8.0.2.

Sometimes the iPhone 6 Plus is stuck in landscape mode on iOS 8.0.2.

These aren’t the only issues, they’re just the biggest ones that we’ve encountered. We’ve heard from countless iPad and iPhone users who are dealing with iOS 8 problems ranging from battery life issues to Wi-Fi to keyboard lag to an assortment of random bugs. iOS 8 comes with a fantastic set of features but it also comes with an annoying set of bugs.

iOS 8 has also delivered performance issues to owners of older devices. While the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and current iPads (iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina) are performing decently, other devices like the iPhone 5 and iPhone 4s have taken a performance hit. For some users, the OS feels sluggish and slow. And while there are some potential fixes, they’re not working for everyone.

iOS 8.1 Release

Not everyone is dealing with iOS 8 problems. We understand that. However, for those of you on iOS 8.0 or below, it’s impossible to know whether or not iOS 8.0.2 is going to cause problems on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. We diligently prepared for the iOS 8 update in September and we’ve still be stuck with an assortment of bugs and performance issues. Fortunately, it looks like help might be on the way and that’s precisely why we’re telling you to hold out, at least for right now.

iPad 3 iOS 8.0.2 Review - 3

Apple’s promised an iOS update for October. The update, which will deliver the company’s Apple Pay service, is widely expected to be the iOS 8.1 update that Apple popped into its beta program several weeks ago. The iOS 8.1 update has been shown to have support for Apple Pay on board and its release has been rumored for October alongside the iPad Air 2. And with an Apple media event scheduled for Thursday, we should find out what Apple has in store for iPhone and iPad users running its latest iOS 8 software.

If Apple does release iOS 8.1 in the near future, and we’re expecting that it will, there’s a good chance that we’ll see the iOS 8 situation stabilize. iOS 8 beta is stocked with bug fixes for iOS 8 problems and Apple has a history of delivering improved performance with these iOS x.1 updates. Given the speed of its arrival, it may not be a night and day update but there’s a very good chance that it will be far more stable than iOS 8.0.2.

iPhone-5-2

With a launch event set for Thursday and rumors pointing to a release on October 20th, we suggest holding off on an iOS 8 install in order to wait and see what Apple has up its sleeve. iOS 8.1 probably won’t be perfect but again, we’re expecting it to be far more stable than the three buggy iOS 8 updates that Apple’s rolled out over the past month.

Be patient (we’re only two days away, you can do this) because we’re confident that a better iOS 8 experience is coming soon.

12 Comments

12 Comments

  1. Chris

    10/14/2014 at 10:43 pm

    Hi, I’m really memorey problems on iPhone 5 and my iPad air, seems to be loosing memorey daily even though I’m
    Not downloading it running apps in the background.. I’m not the only one it seems too

  2. Craig

    10/15/2014 at 5:43 am

    IOS 8 has really ruined my experience with my Ipad 2. It locks up, delayed key strokes etc.. Apple is screwing its one time loyal supporters!

  3. newwavegeek

    10/15/2014 at 1:47 pm

    I have no idea what you just said, dude…

  4. Mark

    10/15/2014 at 2:26 pm

    I had many photos actually DELETED, not relocated. I upgraded my iPad Air & iPhone 5 (in that order) late last week. Two nights late I discovered that a whole slew of photos I generated on the iPad had been DELETED. However they were still on the iPhone. After discussing with Apple tech for a long time, the only course of action was the iCloud safety net. Fortunately a iOS 7.1.2 backup for the iPad still existed on the Cloud and that’s how I was able to get my pics back. I posted about this experience on the Apple forum itself, but Apple took the post down within several days.

    I would suggest anyone contemplating any iOS upgrade to do a HARD backup to your Mac or PC first. Get the data over to a computer and backed up from there as well. Apple has now become Applesoft.

  5. Tony

    10/16/2014 at 7:41 am

    The update is the worst ever. My experience with my iphone of late has been unpleasant to say the least. I lost over 500 family pictures. I trusted that the photos of my children were safe, apparently, not at all.

  6. Sherie

    10/16/2014 at 9:46 am

    I just updated my iPhone 5s (I should have never, ever done it) and I immediately started to experience problems with the time setting on my phone. I did a restore and still have the problem. It is so frustrating because I can’t use my phone for time or use it for alarm, etc. When I make calls or receive calls, the call display shows the incorrect time of the call. If I had to use that information in court or for other similar types of services, I am now out of luck. I am so frustrated since I really rely on my phone for time. I have contacted Apple, who at first had no clue as to why the problem is occurring, and then told me to contact my service provider. The tech support from my service provider provided more insight into the situation than the senior tech person at Apple. Apple tech’s answer was, well wait until the next update comes out, perhaps it will be fixed then. My daughter has the exact same phone as I do but she has not done the update yet. The time on her phone works perfectly.

    Uggggh!!!

  7. Chris Hanson

    10/16/2014 at 11:22 am

    Thanks for interesting article. Good to know that I am not suffering alone. This update is genuinely terrible, and I am appalled by Apple’s lack of public response to the problem. It is so bad that they should have offered the opportunity to revert to iOS7 or at least explained why it is not possible. Apple’s silence is deafening. Am I alone in having lost confidence in them?

  8. Teri & Jerry Moede

    10/16/2014 at 5:53 pm

    We drive semi over the road and I have had nothing but problem after problem with connecting to the Internet, using the mapping programs and anything that has to do with the Internet. ….SO needless to say we’re pissed off…..I have also contacted US Cellular and have been told to find a Apple store. ….and just where are we supposed to park a rig???? REALLY. ….well I’m going to wipe it out and start over. …NOT HAPPY

  9. Hector

    10/16/2014 at 11:32 pm

    I have an iPhone 5s, after the 8.0.2 update, the “no service” sign is on and off all the time (mostly on!!!), when people try to call me they are taken directly to voicemail, Wi-Fi also doesn’t work. So instead of a cellphone I have an overpriced disconnected iPod. This is awful, what hapenned to you Apple!!!

  10. Val

    10/18/2014 at 2:16 am

    Updating to the new IOS8 will also mean that Apple have sneakily set your device so that it will not work unless their branded products are purchased. So no more cheaper accessories. A ticket for Apple to print money if you ask me.

  11. Toni

    10/19/2014 at 2:56 pm

    My ipad2 is just about useless after the update. Slow web surfing, apps crashing with regularity, and no ability to cut and paste. That last issue is surprisingly the biggest problem, I never realized how much I used the cut and paste function until it stopped working. So limiting, I wish there was some way to go back to the prior version.

  12. Derek M

    10/30/2014 at 4:45 am

    Well, 8.1 is installed now yet problems persist! Right on time to buy a new overpriced iphone since my service contract is up for renewal. [sarcastic “yaaaas!”]

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