Apple
iOS 8.1.1: 7 Things You Need to Know Before Installing
Earlier this week, Apple finally pushed out its iOS 8.1.1 update for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. As expected, the iOS 8.1.1 update delivers bug fixes for iOS 8 problems and performance enhancements for older devices. With an update now here and many iPhone and iPad users trying to decide whether it’s worth an upgrade, we take a look at the most important things you need to know before installing Apple’s new iOS 8.1.1 update.
In September, Apple pushed out its brand new iOS 8.0 update for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Since then, Apple’s released a number of iOS 8 updates aimed at curbing the problems that iOS 8.0 delivered to iPhone and iPad users. iOS 8.0.1, iOS 8.0.2 and iOS 8.1 all arrived with bug fixes on board though, as we’ve pointed out, all three delivered some problems of their own.
Overall the iOS 8.1.1 update on the iPhone 6 Plus runs smoothly.
In an effort to quell some of those issues, Apple’s delivered a brand new iOS 8.1.1 update that’s sole purpose is to deliver bug fixes and performance improvements. The update’s release comes a few weeks after Apple put the iOS 8.1.1 update inside of its beta program for developers. Apple, it seems, didn’t want to take any chances after the debacle that was iOS 8.0.1.
iOS update’s are rarely perfect and iOS 8 problems have many iPhone and iPad users on edge. We’ve spoken to many iPhone and iPad users who are trying to decide if the iOS 8.1.1 update is worthy of a download. While we can’t decide for you, we can help steer you in the right direction and hopefully, nudge a few of you over to one side of the iOS 8 fence or the other.
Today, a day after the iOS 8.1.1 release, we want to take a look at a few of the things you need to know before installing Apple’s brand new iOS 8.1.1 update on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.
You Do Not Need to Install iOS 8.1.1 Right Now
Let’s get this out of the way. You do not, we repeat, you do not need to install iOS 8.1.1 right now. In fact, there are some valid reasons to skip the iOS 8.1.1 update today. We’ve been over this before but in case you missed it the first time, here are a few reasons why you should think about waiting to install the iOS 8.1.1 update.
- Bugs typically don’t reveal themselves for a few days
- If you’re traveling
- If you’re not prepared for iOS 8.1.1
- If you’re using your device for work
The iOS 8.1.1 update isn’t going anywhere. You can install it today or you can install it a week from now. It doesn’t make much difference. Take your time, weigh your options, do some preparation, and then make a decision.
iOS 8.1.1 Features
You should know that the iOS 8.1.1 update is exactly what we thought the iOS 8.1.1 would be. It’s a bug fixer that’s aimed at squashing iOS 8 bugs and improving performance on older devices, the iPad 2 and iPhone 4s in particular. It doesn’t come with any new features but there’s a chance that it will improve the experience on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. That’s its job, nothing more, nothing less.
Hidden iOS 8.1.1 Feature
It looks like the iOS 8.1.1 update brings a hidden feature as well. According to several reports from iPhone and iPad users, backed up by a report from iMore, it looks like the iOS 8.1.1 frees up storage space on the iPad and perhaps, the iPhone as well. It looks like the update adds about 500MB of storage space, something that can get a little tight on 16GB devices.
It’s not clear how Apple did this but that really doesn’t matter. What matters is that the iOS 8.1.1 update frees up a lot of space for those of you touting a device with iOS 8 on board. That alone probably makes the update worth a download given how precious internal storage space can be on iPhones, iPads and iPod touches.
iOS 8.1.1 Impressions (iPhone & iPad)
We’ve been taking a look at the iOS 8.1.1 update over the last day or so and we’ve relayed some of our initial impressions in an effort to deliver feedback to iPhone and iPad users that are currently on the fence about whether to upgrade. These impressions aren’t definitive reviews but they will help guide you to a final decision.
iOS 8.1.1 Problems
iOS 8.1.1 problems still aren’t prevalent but we’re seeing more emerge as time goes on. As we’ve noted, iPhone and iPad users are complaining about several issues ranging from problems with Wi-Fi to the usual complaints performance and Bluetooth. What we should point out though is that these complaints are much quieter than usual. That could mean a few different things.
If you have any problems now, it’s worth installing iOS 8.1.1 on the iPhone 6 Plus today.
It could mean that iOS 8.1.1 is a very stable update. We’ve been having solid experiences with iOS 8.1.1 on board so that’s certainly a possibility. It also could be that many users simply haven’t installed iOS 8.1.1 yet. We’re leaning toward the former though be aware that there is always a potential for things to go wrong. that’s why we recommend preparing for the iOS 8.1.1 update as if it were 8.0 or iOS 8.1.
The latest iOS 8 update now prevents onscreen keyboard from staying hidden on iPad Air with physical keyboard connected. Annoying.
— James Kendrick (@jkendrick) November 18, 2014
Make backups and make sure you’re ready just in case something does go wrong either during the installation process or after getting the iOS 8.1.1 update on board your iPhone or iPad.
Fixes for iOS 8.1.1 Problems
If you do run into iOS 8.1.1 problems, and again you might, we’ve outlined a number of fixes that could help solve issues that you encounter after making the move from whatever you’re on to iOS 8.1.1. These are going to be crucial because Apple probably won’t be releasing another iOS update in the near future. We haven’t heard anything about an iOS 8.1.2 update and Apple’s already rolled out a mind-boggling number of updates over the past two months.
iOS 8.2 for iPhone, iPad
Finally, if you’re a developer and you want to move past iOS 8.1.1, you can. iOS 8.2 for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch was released today and the upgrade delivers support for Apple’s upcoming Apple Watch. The Apple Watch is scheduled to be released in early 2015, specific date unknown, so the iOS 8.2 update probably won’t arrive until sometime next year.
It’s not clear if iOS 8.2 will be Apple’s next update for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch though that is certainly possible. With the holidays and vacation time coming up, and iOS 8.1.1 appearing to be very stable, Apple may not rush into its new iOS 8 update to iPhone and iPad users.
BuyNewGadgets
11/19/2014 at 1:26 pm
Why there are so many problems while installing the same IOS on to updated version …. I supposed to download but see the article :( avoiding some steps //
full phone specification with launch price
sleepy
11/19/2014 at 7:08 pm
You. Told. Us. Nothing.
Mike M
11/24/2014 at 5:19 am
All sizzle no steak! Drill down and you will find the same….no information.
Awoniyi Ilias olufemi
11/25/2014 at 12:35 pm
I need to upgrade to iOS 8.1.1 but with my Mtn carrier not wi fi
W A Rauch
12/16/2014 at 12:09 pm
I did the update iOS 8.1.1 and the next day the battery did not last more than 3.5hrs recharged and recharge took the phone in to Apple Doctor only to be told that the battery was not working and had to be replaced at a cost of R547.00 which was done took 4 days got it back and it was the same as before it went back 4 times still not fixed I have to drive down from Laingsburg at a return at a cost of R640 each time I then bought a battery back up pack R846.00 it lasted about 4hrs I then took the iPhone to iFix was told that the motherboard was not allowing the battery to work properly and could be fixed but no guarantee, well I got the phone back still had to pay R120 and now nothing works they asked me where I bought the phone and when I said UK and that the phone was only 9 months old I was told that the guarantee is not covered here in South Africa the total cost of this APPLE JOKE SO FAR R14203.00 would I recommend and Apple iphone to a friend or buy any other apple product what do you think.
The sad thing is Apple doesn’t care, not one of their outlets wanted to help.