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iOS 8.1.1 Breakdown: 5 Things iPhone Users Need to Know

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Apple’s iOS 8.1.1 for iPhone is here and it delivers fixes for iOS 8 problems and performance enhancements for the iPhone 4s. There’s much more to Apple’s new iOS 8 update though. Here, we take at the most important information that’s emerged for the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and others in the days since the iOS 8.1.1 release.

Back in September, Apple rolled out its brand new iOS 8.0 update for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. In the weeks since, 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.

In an effort to squash those lingering bugs, Apple’s delivered iOS 8.1.1, an update whose sole purpose it is to deliver bug fixes and performance improvements. The iOS 8.1.1 update’s release comes a few weeks after Apple put the update inside of its beta program for developers. Apple, it seems, didn’t want to take any chances after the iOS 8.0.1 update and its problems.

Best iPhone 6 Plus Apps - 1

We’ve been using the iOS 8.1.1 update for several days now and we’ve been monitoring all of the key developments that have emerged in the days since its arrival. We’ve been paying close attention to this update for a number of reasons. First, iOS 8 came with an unusually high number of bugs. Apple’s iOS 8.1 update, which brought numerous fixes along with it, delivered some problems as well. We also want to keep those of you informed about it, especially you iPhone users on iOS 7 that are thinking about making the switch to Apple’s brand new operating system.

With current and prospective iOS 8.1.1 users in mind, here, we take a look at the iOS 8.1.1 update for iPhone and detail what we think constitute the most important things you need to know about Apple’s new iOS 8 update.

iOS 8.1.1 Impressions: iPhone

The first thing that you need to know is that you do not need to install the iOS 8.1.1 update right now. We see too many iPhone users, even seasoned ones, that rush to install Apple’s new updates just because they are new. This isn’t smart. Smaller updates like iOS 8.1.1 might be small but they can have a huge impact on the performance and stability of your device.

So, consider this your PSA. You do not, we repeat, you do not need to install iOS 8.1.1 for iPhone right now. We’ve outlined some reasons why you might not want to install it and if you find yourself nodding your head in agreement to a few of those reasons, we suggest taking a rain check. In fact, we usually recommend waiting a week for the smoke to clear, even if the update is performing well. And thus far, iOS 8.1.1 performance has been solid.

iPhone-6-pair

We’ve also gone into detail on four of Apple’s key iOS 8 powered iPhones and if you want some detailed advice, we suggest taking a look at those before you install Apple’s new iOS 8 update. Full reviews are on their way soon.

iOS 8.1.1 Fixes iPhone Problems

It’s worth noting that the iOS 8.1.1 update does fix some iOS 8 problems including one pesky issue that we’ve been dealing with on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

If you’ve been dealing with an issue where your iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus gets stuck in landscape mode, you should know that the iOS 8.1.1 update seems to have permanently fixed that problem. The devices in our possession saw the problem at least a few times a day. With iOS 8.1.1 on board, we haven’t seen the problem emerge at all.

iPhone 6 Review - 8

It’s also worth noting that the update seems to have improved iOS 8.1.1 performance on the iPhone 4s. It’s not going to be a night and day change that many of you were probably expecting but it seems to have stabilized a device that may not get another update beyond iOS 8.

Both of these are things to keep in mind if you’re still thinking about making the move up from iOS 8.1 or below. iOS 8.1.1 may have some problems but there are some good things on board Apple’s latest update for iPhone.

Don’t Install the iPhone 5 iOS 8.1.1 Update Yet

iOS 8.1 delivered a hit to the speed of the software on our iPhone 5. We weren’t alone. We’ve spoken to several iPhone 5 users who noticed a dramatic change in speed after installing iOS 8.1. And while we, and they, were hopeful that the speed issues would get solved with iOS 8.1.1, we haven’t noticed any changes to the fluidity of the software. It’s still extremely clunky four days later.

If you’re on iOS 8.1 and you’re having a smooth experience, you might want to stay. If you’re on iOS 7.1.2, an update that we loved on the iPhone 5s, you might want to think about staying put for now. iOS 8’s features are good but for many of you, they won’t be worth the noticeable change in speed. What good are apps if the entire experience is laggy and and unresponsive?

iPhone-5-1

If you’re having issues on the update that you’re on, then you might want to make a move. iOS 8.1.1 does have a number of bug fixes on board and the iOS 8.1 update before it came with a laundry list of remedies.

iOS 8.1.1 Problems & Fixes

As we’ve moved away from the iOS 8.1.1 release date, iOS 8.1.1 problems have started to emerge for iPhone users. While we aren’t seeing the same volume of complaints that we saw with iOS 8.1 and iOS 8.0, there are still a number of users suffering.

iPhone users are complaining about Wi-Fi issues, issues with apps not downloading from the App Store, problems with battery life and abnormal battery drain on iPhone and iPad, random crashes, AirPrint issues, Wi-Fi issues, problems with Bluetooth in the car, odd issues with Settings, and more. Many of these issues are common after an upgrade.

iPhone-5

iPhone users need to know that another iOS 8 update probably isn’t on the way which means that you’re going to have to settle for third-party fixes. We’ve detailed a number of fixes for iPhone users and while these fixes probably won’t work for everyone, there’s a very good chance that they will work for some of you.

iOS 8 Jailbreak

I’s worth noting that iPhone users that wish to jailbreak iOS 8 can still move to the iOS 8.1 update. The Pangu iOS 8 jailbreak supports iOS 8.1 but it does not support iOS 8.1.1 which means that moving to the iOS 8.1 update is going to be crucial for many users out there, especially those of you jailbroken on iOS 7. This way, you get iOS 8’s features and a jailbreak.

iOS 8 jailbreak

It’s still not clear if the developers behind Pangu are going to deliver a jailbreak for iOS 8.1.1. With an iOS 8.2 update in beta and on the way for iPhone users in the future, there’s certainly no guarantee.

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. E V Noble

    11/21/2014 at 9:30 am

    Very informative. Thanks for sharing all the experiences/information that you have experience. I think I will follow your advice & not install iOS 8.1.1. It Was my husband suggestion that I research 8.1.1 before installing it. Again, thanks for all the information.

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