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5 Reasons Not to Install iOS 8.1 Right Now

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Earlier this week, Apple released the iOS 8.1 update for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. As expected, the iOS 8.1 update delivered a number of big time changes including Apple Pay, additions to Continuity, the return of Camera Roll, and a slew of fixes for iOS 8 problems. And after dissecting iOS 8.1 for a few days, we’ve come up with some solid reasons why you shouldn’t install the iOS 8.1 update today.

In September, just a few weeks after iOS 8.0 came out of the beta program, Apple released iOS 8.1 beta. Apple did not attach a public iOS 8.1 release date to the beta leaving consumers wondering when the update would arrive. iPhone and iPad users put great importance on iOS 8.1 release due to a number of iOS 8.0 issues and iOS 8.0.2 issues on board Apple’s iOS 8 update.

Last week, Apple announced a public iOS 8.1 release date, confirming an update for Monday, October 20th. Two days ago, as promised, Apple released the iOS 8.1 update for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The iOS 8.1 update is a sizable upgrade that comes packed with new features and fixes for those touting iOS 8 powered devices. It also appears to have some bugs of its own on board.

iPhone 6 Plus Problems - 4

We’ve spent the last three and a half days poking and prodding Apple’s new update in an effort to bring iPhone and iPad users feedback in the aftermath of its release. After spending a ton of time with Apple’s iOS 8.1 update, we’ve come up with a list of reasons why you might not want to install the update today. These won’t apply to everyone and that’s the point. Not everyone should be installing iOS 8.1 right now.

With the iOS 8.1 release in the rear view and an iOS 8.1.1 update still in the shadows, we want to give you some solid reasons why you may not want to bring iOS 8.1 aboard your iPhone or iPad today.

iOS 8 Jailbreak

You may have heard. A Chinese developer team recently released an iOS 8 jailbreak. However, the iOS 8 jailbreak comes with some caveats, caveats that should convince you to remain on iOS 7 or below.

There is an iOS 8 jailbreak available, yes, but it’s only for developers and it comes without Cydia. Cydia, for those that don’t know, is the unofficial app store used by jailbreakers. It’s essential to any jailbreak and it’s absence is a big reason why we think iPhone and iPad users that are jailbroken on iOS 7 should stay jailbroken on iOS 7 and skip the iOS 8.1 update until a better release is out.

iOS 8.1 on iPhone 6

Unfortunately, we have no idea when a stable public iOS 8 jailbreak is going to be out. It could be tomorrow, it could be a month from now, it’s not clear. At the moment though, it’s going to be wise to remain on iOS 7 while developers work out the kinks.

iOS 8.1 Problems

iOS 8.1 does come with a lot of bug fixes for iOS 8 problems but there’s also another side to the update. As we’ve pointed out, iOS 8.1 comes with some problems of its own and iOS 8.1 problems continue to mount for iPhone and iPad users are we head further away from its release.

After upgrading to iOS 8.1 apps run well on the iPhone 6 Plus.

After upgrading to iOS 8.1 apps run well on the iPhone 6 Plus.

iPhone 5s users are reporting random reboots inside iOS 8.1. An iPhone 5 user also told us that his iMessages stopped sending immediately after installing the iOS 8.1 update. We’re also hearing about Wi-Fi issues including Wi-Fi speeds seemingly being throttled on the iPhone 5s and iPhone 6 and erratic connection speeds. Those are just the tip of the iceberg.

iOS 8.1 users also say that they aren’t able to move their mail into the trash, assorted Apple Pay problems, Bluetooth issues, AirDrop issues, problems with iOS 8.1′s hotspot feature, random stability issues in Safari, Bluetooth issues in the car, issues opening files in Mail, Spotlight suggestion problems, and a whole lot more.

In our experience, iOS 8.1 is more stable than iOS 8.0.2 or iOS 8.0. That said, those of you who are having good experiences on either of these updates might want to hold off on iOS 8.1 until Apple releases a bug fix update.

iPhone-6 copy

These issues aren’t guaranteed to impact your iPhone or iPad but there’s always a chance that something could act up. If things are running smoothly right now, there’s no reason to muck it all up, especially if you can’t or don’t want to use iOS 8.1’s Apple Pay feature.

If You’re Using iOS 7 or Below

If you’re using iOS 7 or below and you’re not having any problems, we highly recommend passing on the iOS 8.1 update right now. There is no going back to iOS 7 once you install it and thus, we think those of you that have remained this patient should continue to remain patient for at least a week as we dig deeper into Apple’s latest upgrade.

If you give it a week, you’ll have a more precise view of potential iOS 8.1 problems and issues that could ultimately impact your phone or tablet. We’ll also have our full reviews out that will pass along concrete recommendations for iPhone and iPad users. There is no rush to update to iOS 8.1 and it would be wise to wait a week to see how iOS 8.1 performance is holding up.

If You’re Traveling

If you are traveling, hold off on installing the iOS 8.1 update. We’ve been hearing about issues during the installation process and it’s those issues that have a tendency to cause major problems on iOS devices. Your iPhone or iPad may not brick but there’s a chance that important files or for a business trip of vacation could get lost in shuffle.

Speck CandyShell iPhone 6 Review - 3-X3

Installing iOS updates should be done from home base where you have access to all of your files, all of your passwords, everything you might need in case something does go wrong during the installation process or after the update is installed. Who knows, you might get iOS 8.1 on board and immediately have to perform a restore.

You do not want to have that kind of stress while traveling so if you’re having a good experience, let iOS 8.0.2 or whatever it is that you’re running ride until you get home.

If You’re Unprepared

iOS 8.1 isn’t a massive update but it’s still an update that requires preparation. Those that prepare for iOS updates typically come out of the installation process unscathed. We ourselves did massive prep work for iOS 8.1’s arrival and our experience inside the update has been, for the most part, outstanding. That’s credit to Apple and credit to the work that we did in the days before it’s release.

Speck CandyShell iPhone 6 Review - 2-X3

Fortunately, we have you covered. We outlined several things to do before upgrading to iOS 8.1. You don’t have to follow every single tip but we highly recommend doing at least a few of these before installing iOS 8.1. It’s going to make everything a whole lot easier for you, trust us. Do not install iOS 8.1 right now if you are not prepared for it.

30 Comments

30 Comments

  1. Michael Slater

    10/23/2014 at 1:17 pm

    I Saw thet this update included support for sms texting. name shows red and cant send.

  2. James

    10/23/2014 at 3:33 pm

    I have an iPhone 5s and my iPhone is running 8.1 and is running almost twice as fast now and I have 1 1/2 times the battery life. Maybe this is just a hardware issue with some iphones?

  3. Juan

    10/23/2014 at 4:09 pm

    Does anyone else have a “stuck” red number 1 badge at the top right of the settings app even after already installing iOS 8.1?

    • Jay Royal

      10/24/2014 at 5:21 am

      Yes… and no ‘solution’ for getting rid of it yet has worked.

  4. Irene Chan

    10/23/2014 at 8:56 pm

    Safari was sluggish before when I was using ios 8.0.2. Now Safari is non existent. Had to install Puffin and it runs fine. Instant messengers like whatsapp, KiK still slow. Thank god I still have my trusty old iPhone 4s on iOS 7.1.2 which I have now loaded my instant messengers for chats. I feel like throwing my iPhone 5s into the trash. Reported to Apple about their trash updates every week!!

  5. Iliyas

    10/24/2014 at 2:11 am

    Thank u for your advise… Will wait for a week … And will upload the release of 8.1
    Regards
    Iliyas

  6. Me

    10/24/2014 at 4:26 am

    If you don’t update to 8.1 will the next update still come up on your iPod when it comes out? I’m ok with how things are working now so I have no interest to update.

  7. Nisha

    10/24/2014 at 2:40 pm

    Facebook app on iphone can no longer access the photos, only gives an option to select videos. This could be because of Camera roll being brought back in this release.

  8. Terri

    10/24/2014 at 3:40 pm

    My husband and I (iPhones 5c and 5) have both our phones now stuck in recovery mode after trying to update. We think the iTunes update was buggy and caused the problems, along with the Ios update. A lethal combination for us. We both tried updating OTA and when our phones asked us to connect to iTunes (which had been updated) they went into recovery mode and stayed there. The restore and update buttons on iTunes do not work. We are going to the Genius Bar tomorrow to see if they can get our phones out of recovery mode. For now, we are phoneless due to the update.

  9. Dora

    10/24/2014 at 3:44 pm

    Too late, update lost or can’t connect to Yahoo mail server ( Apple issue per Verizon). Spent 2 hrs on phone with Verizon Techs, got to Verizon store and was told that Apple having a problem with server to Verizon!!!! Really
    I will never update any IOS again. Always a glitch. Now have to wait for update to correct the glitch… Apple should get it right or don’t release!!!
    Next phone won’t be Apple and I’ve been a iPhone fan of years!!!

  10. Val

    10/24/2014 at 6:35 pm

    I updated my iPhone 4s with the new update and am frustrated. My phone is sluggish as well as always freezing up. Now I have an update iOS 8.1 I don’t trust it at all

  11. Julie woodhead

    10/24/2014 at 7:59 pm

    Installed ios8.1 this morning -on my iPad – boy do I refer it – all emails now show as being sent to another email address and from another email address. Have shut the whole thing down! Help!

  12. Lisa

    10/24/2014 at 11:51 pm

    Completely lost internet connectivity on my ipad mini. Restored it to factory default and reinstalled ios 8.1 with no success. All other devices working fine as was this until I stupidly put this update on the ipad.

  13. Shantell

    10/25/2014 at 6:38 am

    I have four brand new I phone 5s and two of them I have not updated yet one is updated and is having Jo problems, h

  14. Annena

    10/25/2014 at 6:43 am

    Two of my four new iPhone 5s have the new iOS update. One of them is fine however the other, as soon the update was complete, froze. As of right now it’s in recovery mode, and saying it will take about an hour to complete. Has anyone else had this problem? and if so, were you able to find a solution?

  15. Nana Kwame

    10/25/2014 at 7:25 am

    I updated my 5c to iOS 8.1 and now the earpiece and mic dont work anymore. Apple Support could not help. Even a factory restore did not held. I just hope and pray for 8.1.2 or something which may resolve these issues.

  16. Nad

    10/25/2014 at 12:12 pm

    I have 5s
    After update 8.1 my phone reject the programs and many of my contact list numbers are empty now, their names are in list but there is no number just their emai !!!

  17. Ronel

    10/25/2014 at 11:34 pm

    I cannot upload any photo’s onto Facebook since installing iOS 8.1 on my iPhone 5. Please assist!

  18. Babu

    10/26/2014 at 1:04 am

    This uptade brought down my signal I had to shift to some other phone waiting for new iOS to fix up the issue

  19. Andrew

    10/26/2014 at 11:06 am

    Upgraded to iOS 8.1. Now iPad does not work at all!!

  20. Kink

    10/26/2014 at 5:24 pm

    I have a iPhone 4S, updated to iOS 8.0.2 and it slowed every thing down. Also causes some apps to crash outright when in use. The worst was the Facebook app, crashed often enough that I just got rid of it altogether. Based on what I’m reading on this forum I’m screwed aren’t I? And according to most of the comments here, the iOS 8.1 isn’t much better is it? Does anyone have any suggestions on how I may be able to fix these issues?

  21. Erin M

    10/27/2014 at 11:43 am

    Installed 8.1 on my iPad Air. Glitches so far include…safari randomly will not allow me to touch links or images etc. non reactive…I can no longer watch videos using Apple tv except YouTube…at times so slow, it’s painful…the P, L and period buttons don’t work in Pinterest, bizarre…Had I only known, I NEVER would have installed this. I use my ipad for everything. Thanks a LOT Apple!!!

  22. Phil Facts

    10/27/2014 at 3:08 pm

    What about more proofreading, less bullshitting and more ortography?

  23. Vicki

    10/27/2014 at 8:22 pm

    i didn’t install it but i can’t get rid of the pop up that wants me to do so.

  24. Nirel

    10/28/2014 at 6:02 am

    I UPDATED MY IPOD TOUCH AND MY MUSIC WOULDNT WORK. I WIPED OUT THE PHONE AND NOT IT WORKS PERFECT! MUCH FASTER!!

  25. Gato Barbieri

    11/04/2014 at 1:35 pm

    The voice to text is gone. Whose idea was that.
    Since IOS 8.x and 8.1 and iTunes 12.0.1, once the iTunes gets to step 7 and starts syncing, my machine gets the BSOD and nobody in Apple claims is their issue. Maybe not but can’t prove otherwise. Never had a BSOD and uninstalled everything since July which is the last time i synced

  26. Losian

    11/10/2014 at 7:52 am

    I updated my iphone 5s to 8.1 and now my phone is not turnning on it only show tgat i have to plug it to itunes i dont have a computer so thats so bullshit :/

  27. Ash Bishnoi

    11/10/2014 at 7:52 pm

    I cannot open Whatsapp messages on my iPhone 5s eversince I installed 8.1 yesterday

  28. Elisabeth

    12/04/2014 at 3:20 pm

    I updated yesterday and today first could not see certain messages in whatsapp. I checked whatsapp settings and it is now frozen in settings. i can still use other apps but regret having updated.

  29. Gary Birtch

    12/21/2014 at 11:29 am

    8.1.2 bricked our iPad Air 2 128GB unit. Joy. Apple had us try all of the standard stuff… so now they have to REPLACE our brand new iPad because it is unrecoverable!

    IOS 8.1 bricked our iPad…

    Recovery modes don’t work…

    If Android wasn’t soooo damn lacking in security features, we’d have one of those instead.

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