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iOS 8.3 Update: What Users Can Expect Now

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Apple’s iOS 8.4 release is on the horizon but until the company takes it out of beta, iOS 8.3 will continue to reign as the most current public release. With the Apple Watch out, we continue to get questions about Apple’s current iOS 8 update. Today, in response to those questions, we take a look at what we expect from the iOS 8.3 update as we march into May.

In February, Apple confirmed iOS 8.3 for iPhone, iPad and the fifth-generation iPod touch. It did not, however, outline the iOS 8.3 release date leaving that announcement for another day.

A month ago, after several iOS 8.3 betas including a release to the public, Apple finally took the iOS 8.3 out of the beta program. We’re now a month removed from the iOS 8.3 release and while attention has waned a bit, there are still plenty of iOS 8.3 details and questions swirling around, especially now that the Apple Watch is available. Wondering why? It’s because Apple Watch users need iOS 8.2 or iOS 8.3 to pair the device with the iPhone.

Apple Watch Surprise Features

We’ve been using and tracking the iOS 8.3 update for a month now and today we want to offer our outlook on the future. These expectations are aimed at current iOS 8.3 users and those of you who are still dreading the move. Our goal here is to set your expectations as we push away from the Apple Watch release towards Apple’s upcoming iOS 8.4 update.

No iOS 8.3 Jailbreak Release

One of the biggest questions on the minds of jailbreakers and current iOS 8.3 users is about the iOS 8.3 jailbreak release. Developers haven’t confirmed either way but at this point, we’re not expecting them to deliver a jailbreak for the iOS 8.3 update. An iOS 8.3 jailbreak release would come as a complete surprise to us and a lot of other people as well.

We know that iOS 8.4 is jailbreakable which means that iOS 8.3 is probably jailbreakable as well. That said, we’re still not expecting a release until the iOS 8.4 update arrives. Here’s the deal. If the developers were to release a jailbreak now, Apple could go ahead and patch the jailbreak up with security patches in iOS 8.4.

iOS.8.1.1_jailbreak

As we’ve noted, If jailbreak developers wait until Apple releases the iOS 8.4 update, the jailbreak would last longer because iOS 8.4 is probably going to be the last major update before the company releases iOS 9.

Then there’s the fact that iOS 8.3 delivered tons and tons of security updates. Jailbreak developer MuscleNerd tweeted that Apple’s 39 security bugs that were fixed in iOS 8.3 which makes it one of the biggest security patches in recent memory. Indeed, some of those fixes were exploits that were used by the TaiG jailbreak team.

We expect an iOS 8.4 jailbreak to be released though it may not get released on the day that iOS 8.4 arrives.

iOS 8.3 Problems to Continue

We expect complaints about iOS 8.3 problems to continue. Apple’s discussion forums continue to fill up with iOS 8.3 problems. Users are complaining about broken Bluetooth, Touch ID, and abnormal battery drain. Some users are even claiming that Apple’s iOS 8.3 update is a “disaster.”

The fact that we’re still seeing complaints emerge a month after the iOS 8.3 update’s arrival isn’t surprising. iOS bugs can appear at any time. We’ve run into issues months after an update’s release. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. You always assume some risk upgrading to a new piece of iOS software. The only thing you can really do is prepare yourself and your device.

No iOS update is perfect. Not even iOS 8.3, an update that delivers tons of security fixes and the longest list of bug fixes that we’ve seen in some time. Something to keep in mind if you’re lingering on iOS 8.2 or below.

Steady Performance for Most iOS 8.3 Users

We expect iOS 8.3 problems to remain isolated though. There are problems, yes, but we haven’t seen any major issues plaguing users on iOS 8.3.

iPad Air 2 iOS 8.3 Review - 1

For us, and many other users, the iOS 8.3 update has been a godsend. Not only has it fixed some of iOS 8’s biggest problems, its performance is holding up after a month. We’re using it on the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5, iPad Air 2, iPad Air, iPad mini 2, and iPad 3 and none of those devices are exhibiting problems a month into the release.

We don’t expect any major problems to pop up in the remaining weeks and we’ll continue to recommend the iOS 8.3 update for its bug fixes and its features including the new emoji keyboard.

iOS 8.2 Downgrade Option to Remain

We’re still not entirely sure why Apple’s kept the iOS 8.2 downgrade loophole around for so long though we suspect that it might have something to do with the Apple Watch release.

Whatever the case, the downgrade option is still open to iOS 8.3 users and we don’t expect Apple to take it away in the immediate future. We also don’t expect Apple to announce when its closing it up so you’ll need to keep your eyes peeled. You probably still have a few more days, maybe even weeks, before Apple stops signing on iOS 8.2.

No iOS 8.3.1 Update

Given that the iOS 8.3 update is holding up nicely on our devices and the devices of thousands of other iOS 8.3 users, we’re not expecting Apple to release an iOS 8.3.1 update between now and the iOS 8.4 release. There don’t appear to be any glaring issues that need immediate attention and jailbreak devs haven’t released a jailbreak for Apple’s engineers to patch up.

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At this point, with an iOS 8.4 release date making progress and a release probably coming in the next six weeks or so, our best guess is that Apple is focusing its energy and efforts on its new music streaming service, iOS 9, and the iOS 8.4 update.

If you’re looking for bug fixes for iOS 8.3 problems, expect to need to have to rely on third-party fixes until iOS 8.4 arrives. We’ve got you covered.

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