iOS 8.2 on iPad Air: 5 Things to Know Now

Its been three weeks since Apple released iOS 8.2 for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch. With that milestone under its belt, we want to take a look at what we’ve learned about iOS 8.2 on iPad Air (first-generation) after using it for three weeks straight.

Three weeks ago, Apple executives took the stage at the company’s Spring Forward launch event. There, they announced an Apple Watch release date, a new 12-inch MacBook, and the start of the iOS 8.2 roll out. Just a few hours after the conclusion of the event, the company made good on its promise and it made the new software available to iOS 8 users around the world.

iOS 8.2, as we’ve mentioned countless times, is not your average incremental iOS update. Apple’s new update features a huge change log that includes the Apple Watch app, numerous security enhancements, improvements to stock apps like Mail, and a laundry list of fixes for iOS 8 problems on iPhone, iPad and iPod. It’s a big update and one that we’ve been digging into in the weeks since its release.

Apple’s iOS 8.2 update is now three weeks old but that hasn’t stopped the questions from rolling in. These questions come from power users, average users, and people who heard things from a friend who heard things from a friend. We’ve been doing our best to reach out to all walks of life and today, we want to offer some more feedback.

The iOS 8.2 is the iPad Air’s second major iOS 8 update (iOS 8.1 being the first). Many iPad Air users have installed the software already, others are still looking into it. Today, we want to offer some feedback for current users and advice for prospective iOS 8.2 users as we dig into iOS 8.2 on iPad Air at the three week mark.

You Can’t Go Back to iOS 8.1.3

If you’ve already installed iOS 8.2 on iPad Air, well, know that there’s no going back. And if you’ve avoided the iOS 8.2 update up until this point, note the same thing.

Apple recently killed the iOS 8.1.3 downgrade option which means that once you get iOS 8.2 on your device, you cannot go back to the previous version of iOS 8. So if you’ve moved up to iOS 8.2, you’re stuck until Apple releases a brand new iOS 8 update, probably iOS 8.3. That release could be weeks or even months away, we’re still not sure. So if you’re on iOS 8.2, get comfortable. If you’re not on iOS 8.2, do your research before deciding whether or not to install the software on the iPad Air.

For next time: Once Apple releases a new iOS update, you typically have two weeks or so before it plugs up the downgrade. So when iOS 8.3 is released, you’ll likely have two weeks to move back down to iOS 8.2 if it’s not playing nicely with your phone or tablet.

iOS 8.2 Jailbreak Still MIA

If you own an iPad Air, you’ve made the move to iOS 8.2, and you’re looking to jailbreak, you’re going to need to remain patient. It looks like the jailbreak team behind the TaiG iOS 8.1.2 jailbreak is still working on an iOS 8.2 jailbreak but it’s still not clear when it might come out.

With another iOS 8 update rumored to be close, it’s possible that they’ll hold the exploits for Apple’s new update. It’s impossible to tell at this point given the lack of information.

If you want to jailbreak your iPad Air and you haven’t moved to iOS 8.1.3 or iOS 8.2, do not move yet. If you’re currently jailbroken on iOS 8.1.2 or below, same thing. Do not move up until a new jailbreak is released.

iOS 8.2 Problems Still A Problem

iOS 8.2 fixes a number of lingering iOS 8 problems but that hasn’t stopped iOS 8.2 problems from emerging in the three weeks after its release. Apple’s discussion forums are filled with complaints about iOS 8.2 problems though most of the issues that we’ve seen are isolated and not widespread. That said, they’re still worth your attention.

iPad Air users are complaining about freezing issues when using Safari, issues with FaceTime connections, Wi-Fi problems, problems streaming video, odd issues with the camera, problems with apps, issues with AirPlay, stability issues, charging problems, and more. Most of the issues are small and limited to a few users but that doesn’t make them any less important.

If you haven’t upgraded to iOS 8.2 just yet, we suggest gathering feedback from other iPad Air users before making your move. You assume risk making the move to iOS 8.2 so you’ll want to be absolutely sure that this is the right move, especially if you don’t plan on upgrading your tablet in the near future. You don’t have to upgrade and you can be as patient as you want.

If you have upgraded to iOS 8.2 on iPad Air and you are running into similar problems, note that we’ve put together a list of fixes for iOS 8.2 problems that will serve as a great point of reference. These fixes aren’t guaranteed to work but they’re a great starting point. We always recommend seeking out fixes from other iPad Air users and other sites as well.

iOS 8.2 on iPad Air: Three Weeks Later

I’ve been using the iPad Air iOS 8.2 update for three weeks now. Last week, I offered up another full length review that covers everything from app performance to iOS 8.2 battery life on iOS 8.2.

Instead of a full review at the three week mark, I’m just going to offer some quick thoughts about the iOS 8.2 update for iPad Air. Ultimately, it will be up to you to decide if you want to take the risk with another iOS 8 release on tap.

• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are working fine. I don’t have an LTE model.
• Battery life is still outstanding, both when in use and in standby mode.
• Apps are running fine. Even Google Chrome, a major headache on the iPhone, is behaving.
• I haven’t run into any major bugs. I also haven’t noticed any smaller bugs.
• iOS 8.2 is still very fast on the iPad Air.
• You can’t ask for much more from an incremental iOS 8 update, particularly a large update like iOS 8.2.

Next Up: iOS 8.3

If you’re still on the fence about the iPad Air iOS 8.2 update or if you’re dealing with iOS 8.2 issues that you just can’t seem to fix, know that Apple’s next iOS 8 update could be on the way soon.

The company’s iOS 8.3 is currently in its fourth developer beta, second public beta, and rumors point to a public release after the fourth beta. That’s not confirmed but it’s clear that Apple is making progress towards a public release. If you want to try it now, you can download the iOS 8.3 beta though beta software isn’t for everybody.

The iOS 8.3 update, like iOS 8.2, is going to be another big incremental update. In addition to new features, it should come with fixes that help to stabilize the iPad Air ahead of a possible iOS 8.4 update this summer and iOS 9 later this year. It also has the potential to bring some problems of its own so keep that in mind too.

If you aren’t too keen on making the move to iOS 8.2 right now, and I know some of you probably aren’t, keep an eye out for the iOS 8.3 release. We expect it to arrive in April or May. We don’t expect Apple to outline a specific release date ahead of time so you’ll probably be waiting in the dark until its release date arrives.