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iOS 8.1 iPad 2 Reviews: Should You Install iOS 8.1?

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12 years ago

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The iOS 8.1 update delivers fixes and many exciting new features, but one of the best parts isn’t listed in Apple’s official update changes.

Users can expect better iOS 8.1 performance on the iPad 2, returning the old iPad to the speeds and performance it delivered on iOS 7.1.2 for many users. Not everyone experienced the same boost in performance as we saw with other devices, so we’ll share both sides of the story.

That’s in addition to the iOS 8.1 update fixing WiFi problems, Bluetooth connectivity and other features. We experienced this iOS 8.1 performance boost on the iPad 3 and iOS 8.1 on iPad 2 reviews from users share similar reports. This is in line with iPhone 4s performance boosts on iOS 8.1, but some users report sub-par performance. There are more negative reports than on the iPhone 4s.

Big updates from Apple are often remembered for slowing down old devices, but it seems iOS 8.1 on the iPad 2 is at least a step in the right direction, delivering better performance to many and fixing some problems and crashes.

Here's a look at user iOS 8.1 iPad 2 reviews.

Here’s a look at user iOS 8.1 iPad 2 reviews.

Apple pushed the iOS 8.1 release out faster than we traditionally see a iOS x.1 update, and with these enhancements in tow that is a good thing. Apple does not list iPad 2 performance in the what’s new section of iOS 8.1, but users report improvements with the iOS 8.1 iPad 2 update.

Read: How to Boost iOS 8.1 Performance on iPad 2 & iPad 3

After three days here are the early iOS 8.1 iPad 2 reviews from users who live with this tablet every day. We’ll revisit this topic in the near future as more users update if any iOS 8.1 problems arrive.

iOS 8.1 Installation

We did not find a lot of iOS 8.1 installation issues from iPad 2 owners, but some did run into a very long update time. It’s not clear if this user ended up completely stuck and needed to plug-in to restore, but that is a possibility.

Make sure you have a working backup before you upgrade to iOS 8.1 on the iPad 2 in case this happens to you.

iOS 8.1 on iPad 2 Performance

Users are split about the iOS 8.1 iPad 2 performance. Some users share reviews saying the iPad 2 is as fast as it was on iOS 7.1.2, while others say it is almost there, but not quite. There are also negative reviews reporting even more slow downs than on iOS 8 or iOS 8.0.2.

iOS 8.1 Speed on iPad 2

Although not as overwhelming as the iPhone 4s iOS 8.1 reviews, there are some users who share that the iOS 8.1 iPad 2 update is a big improvement.

https://twitter.com/Roam027/status/525131671541391360

Reddit user Patinam shares a succinct iOS 8.1 iPad 2 review that highlights some improvements,

“I already had a poor experience 8.0.2 so I thought what the hell and updated it to 8.1. Things are ever so slightly better but i’m not sure if it’s just a placebo effect. Like 8.0.2, I’ve had to disable a lot of stuff to make it usable,”

Users are split on iOS 8.1 iPad 2 performance.

Users are split on iOS 8.1 iPad 2 performance.

Nerdlinger on Reddit also shares an account of iOS 8.1 iPad 2 performance,

“So I went ahead and took the plunge, as I figured that the only way things could get worse was if it bricked my iPad. So far things are a bit speedier and less laggy, and it seems a bit more stable (though it clearly hasn’t been enough time to fully vet that). However, they have not fixed all bugs. For example, the copy and paste issues I had before updating are still there.

Early bottom line: it’s one step forward. But as always, YMMV.

It’s better than 8.0*, but still worse than 7.whateverwewereat.”

It’s not all roses. Some users complain that the iOS 8.1 iPad 2 update delivers bad performance.

It’s shaping up as another update that varies from user to user.

iOS 8.1 Battery Life

With iOS 8.1 the iPad 2 battery life improved for one user, which is an important fix. You can check out our iOS 8.1 battery life fixes and tips for more on improving your iPhone battery life.

WiFi & Bluetooth

The iOS 8.1 update delivers a lot of fixes for WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. We have not found any complaints yet about WiFi on the iPad 2 using iOS 8.1 or Bluetooth for that matter. We’ll continue to watch this.

Should You Install iOS 8.1 on the iPad 2?

If you're still on older versions of iOS, you may want to stay there.

If you’re still on older versions of iOS, you may want to stay there.

For users on iOS 8 or iOS 8.0.2, the iOS 8.1 update for iPad 2 is worth installing. There are enough fixes and most complaints are similar to the speed drop some user saw after upgrading from iOS 7.1.2.

For users still on iOS 7.1.2 or older, it may be a good idea to hold off on the update at this time. Without an overwhelmingly positive experience there isn’t enough reason for everyone to take the plunge and update yet.

You can see the new iOS 8 features listed below.

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