iOS 8.4.1 Release: 5 Things Not to Expect

The iOS 8.4.1 update is confirmed for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch though its specific release date remains out of reach. With Apple silent, we want to help set your expectations and today we take a look at what we expect from the iOS 8.4.1 release for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

In late June, Apple released a brand new iOS 8 update. The update, iOS 8.4, follows in the footsteps of iOS 8.3 though its aim is vastly different than its predecessor. Instead of a massive list of bug fixes and new emojis, the iOS 8.4 is focused on Music and iBooks. two huge platforms.

The iOS 8.4 update brings enhancements and fixes to iBooks and it also delivers the new Music app that features a new UI, a streaming music service and Beats 1. Those who download and install the iOS 8.4 update gain access to a free three month Apple Music trial. It’s an update that we, and many others, have been using for the past three weeks.

iOS 8.4 isn’t the end of the road for iOS 8 though. No, Apple is planning to roll out another iOS 8.4 update in the form of iOS 8.4.1. The iOS 8.4.1 is currently available to developers in the company’s paid beta program and it will remain there until the company is ready to push it out to the general public.

Apple’s next iOS 8 update arrived without a release date and that’s left many people with questions. We don’t have all of the answers but we do have a ton of experience with incremental releases like iOS 8.4.1. Today, we want to help set your expectations and tell you about a few things we don’t expect from the iOS 8.4.1 release for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

Early iOS 8.4.1 Release Date Details

Do not expect to find out when Apple plans to release the iOS 8.4.1 update.

We rarely see rumors pinpoint release dates for small updates like iOS 8.4.1. Not like that matters. iOS release date rumors have been wrong in the past. Software release dates are moving targets that are heavily dependent on testing behind the scenes. If testing goes bad, the release date can move.

Apple only announces iOS release dates when it debuts software on stage next to new hardware. We’re not expecting iOS 8.4.1 to share the stage with the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus so we’d expect Apple to release the software whenever it’s ready. That could be tomorrow, that could be August 28th. We simply don’t know and probably won’t know.

This is precisely why we recommend keeping your eyes peeled. This is why we recommend preparing for the iOS 8.4.1 update now. The update will likely appear out of thin air so you’ll want to be ready.

Release Day Server Problems

Do not expect the iOS 8.4.1 release date to cause a stir in the minutes immediately after its release.

We were extremely nervous in the minutes leading up to the iOS 8.4 release date on June 30th. Apple appeared to have cooked up a perfect storm of trouble. It announced iOS 8.4 on stage at WWDC alongside Apple Music. It confirmed a release date ahead of time. It even confirmed the release time. This had all the makings of a disastrous release day but Apple’s servers handled the heavy load.

We didn’t experience any abnormalities on the iOS 8.4 release date and we were able to download and install the software across all of our devices in a reasonable amount of time.

By comparison, the iOS 8.4.1 update is a small update with very little publicity and a tiny change log. We don’t expect people to flock to this update on its first day of availability. And even if we do see interest in iOS 8.4.1 pick up, Apple’s servers have proven that they can carry a heavy load.

Tons of iOS 8.4.1 Problems

While we do expect to see iOS 8.4.1 problems emerge both on and after the iOS 8.4.1 release date, we do not expect there to be any widespread iOS 8.4.1 problems. This is precisely why Apple is running a beta for this small update.

Apple’s iOS 8.0.1 update did not go through a beta process before its release last year. If it had, maybe Apple would have caught the Touch ID and cellular data problems that plagued iPhone 6 owners immediately after its release. Since then, Apple’s put its iOS updates under the microscope so blunders like that never happen again.

Will the iOS 8.4.1 beta catch every single problem? Probably not. iOS updates always come with their own collection of issues. While we do expect it to bring problems, we don’t expect it to bring massive widespread issues to iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users.

Apple’s got a solid foundation going thanks to the iOS 8.3 and iOS 8.4 updates and we don’t expect it to crack with the release of iOS 8.4.1. Still, you’ll want to wait for the dust to settle before installing it. Most of you will want to wait a few hours, at least, before you download and install the update.

Early iOS 8.4.1 Jailbreak Details

Do not expect any early iOS 8.4.1 jailbreak details to emerge.

Right now, you shouldn’t expect anything other than a waiting game. The iOS 8.4 jailbreak is alive and well but as we told you, there’s a chance that Apple’s iOS 8.4.1 will rain on its parade. We probably won’t know for sure until Apple releases the final version of the software.

We’d start preparing as if it will break it though. iOS 8.4.1 won’t have much on board making it a prime candidate for jailbreak buster duties.

Surprises

Finally, don’t expect any surprises from the iOS 8.4.1 update.

Don’t expect it to deliver a bunch of features. Don’t expect it to arrive for the iPhone 4. Don’t expect it to be released on a weekend. Don’t expect Apple to stray from its 9AM-10AM release time.

Our guess is that this will be a very straightforward bug fix update that helps Apple prepare for the iOS 9 release in the fall. Don’t expect much.

Limited iOS 8.4.1 Beta

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Don't expect the iOS 8.4.1 beta to last very long. With an iOS 9 release looming on the horizon and the iOS 8.4.1 seemingly nothing more than a bug fixer, we'd be surprised if this beta process dragged on.  We'd expect this to be similar to the iOS 8.1.1 beta that Apple unleashed earlier this year. That update only went through one beta release before it was released to the public. One iOS 8.4.1 beta wouldn't shock us, neither would two. Three iOS 8.4.1 beta releases before a public roll out would be surprising though. And we'd expect no more than one beta release for the public if there is even one at all.

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