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9 Things to Do Before Installing iOS 14.8.1

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Installing Apple’s new iOS 14.8.1 update might be tempting, but there are some steps you should take before moving your iPhone from your current version of iOS to iOS 14.8.1.

Apple’s pushed a new iOS 14 upgrade to iPhone users and iOS 14.8.1 is available to download right now if you own a device that’s compatible with the company’s current operating system.

Unlike iOS 14.8 before it, iOS 14.8.1 is a point upgrade with a very small list of changes on board. The software is focused on security.

If your iPhone is currently running iOS 14.8, you get the shortest change log and the smallest download. If you’re moving from an older version of iOS, your iOS 14.8.1 update will be more substantial. That’s because the changes from the iOS updates you skipped are baked into your upgrade.

iOS 14.8.1 is an important upgrade and most of you should install it in the near future. That said, it’s difficult to predict how new software will impact your iPhone’s performance.

While some of you could see a boost to your iPhone’s performance, others will run into frustrating bugs and performance issues. This is why it’s important to do some prep work before you start the installation. A little work ahead of time could help you avoid serious problems.

If you notice bugs or performance issues on iOS 14.8.1, note that you can’t downgrade your iPhone’s software in an attempt to improve its performance. The company isn’t signing on iOS 14.8.

Unfortunately, Apple has also stopped signing on iOS 14.7.1 and older versions of iOS which means you can’t move your phone back to those versions of iOS either.

So if you’re having a good experience on iOS 14.8, or an older version of iOS, moving your phone to iOS 14.8.1 is a big deal. Once you make the move, there’s no going back.

With that in mind, we want to help you prepare for the transition from your current version of iOS to iOS 14.8.1. We always recommend spending 30 minutes, or more, preparing yourself and your device for the move.

If you don’t have that kind of time, at least make sure your files are backed up properly.

Backup Your iPhone's Data

Backup Your iPhone's Data

Backing up the date you store on your iPhone might be the most important thing you can do before installing new software on your iPhone. 

A lot of you already know how to properly backup your data (photos, videos, etc), but if you're unsure, we've got you covered. 

Some of you will want to backup using Apple's iCloud service. It's an easy way to ensure your important files are safe. If you're unfamiliar with the iCloud backup process, you'll want to check out Apple's guide.

If you don't want to use iCloud, you can backup your files using iTunes. If you're running macOS Monterey, macOS Big Sur or macOS Catalina, you'll need to use Finder, not iTunes. 

If you store a lot of data on your iPhone, the backup process could take awhile to complete so remain patient. 

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. David VALENTINE

    01/24/2021 at 12:02 pm

    Just got an Iphone for my wife because all her friends had them! Last time I bought an Apple(II) was around 1984. Soon realised the IOS was crud and got an Amstrad PC which was fantastic (at the time).
    Now stuck with another bad apple in the house, an IOS 14.3 Iphone whose ‘logic’ is driving me potty. I like instantly accessible PDF’s to refer to but can as hell can I find a downloadable guide in that format!
    Also a huge feeling of paranoia emanates from Apple which constantly puts you through ‘security’ checks that you no longer have the bloody answers for.

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