iOS 8.2 Update: Everything You Need to Know Now

Apple’s next iOS 8 update probably won’t be iOS 8.1.4. Instead, it’s likely to be the iOS 8.2 update for iPhone and iPad that it popped into its beta program at the tail end of last year. With an iOS 8.2 release date getting closer for iPhone and iPad users, we want to take a look at everything you need to know right now about the incoming iOS 8 update.

In September, Apple released its brand new iOS 8.0 operating system to iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users around the world. In the months that have followed the initial release, Apple’s been very active. Since September, we’ve seen six new iOS 8 updates roll out to iPhone and iPad as Apple adds features and squashes iOS 8 problems. Apple’s not finished either.

Right around the time that it released iOS 8.1.2, Apple released its iOS 8.2 update in the beta program for developers. And there, the iOS 8.2 update has remained teasing iPhone and iPad users with its presence. In the meantime, Apple’s rolled out another bug fix update, iOS 8.1.3, to help stabilize the software ahead of iOS 8.2’s arrival.

In the past two weeks, we’ve finally started to see the iOS 8.2 release for iPhone and iPad start to heat up and a number of key details have emerged ahead of its upcoming arrival. Today, with iOS 8 users in mind, we want to take a look at everything we know, right now, about Apple’s upcoming iOS 8.2 update for iPhone and iPad. iOS 8.2 is expected to be a large update and we want to make sure that iPhone and iPad users are as prepared as possible as we inch closer and closer to its release.

If You Want to Try iOS 8.2, Now’s a Good Time

The first thing you should know is that the iOS 8.2 update recently moved to its fifth beta. Five betas is a lot. The iOS 8.0 update itself only went through six (seven including the GM) beta releases before it was pushed to the public. What this means is that the iOS 8.2 is probably pretty close to being ready for public consumption. So if you’ve been wanting to give it a go, now might be a very good time to do so.

Remember, you’re going to need a developer account to get the iOS 8.2 update on board your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. Also keep in mind, this is a beta which means that you could run into some difficulties. We don’t recommend installing the software on your daily driver for that very reason. There’s no pressure to go through with this, just know that it’s an option if you’re getting antsy.

iOS 8.2 Release Date

The second thing iPhone and iPad users need to know is that the iOS 8.2 release date is not only getting closer but it’s also heavily rumored for March. Both 9to5Mac and BGR report that Apple’s tentatively scheduled the iOS 8.2 release for sometime in March. Specifically, it’s rumored to be coming out sometime in the second week of the month ahead of the Apple Watch release. Apple’s expected to release the Apple Watch by the end of April.

A new rumor from iGen, a site with a good track record for Apple rumors, suggests that Apple might be holding a launch event at the tail end of February. The special event could take place ahead of Mobile World Congress 2015 on February 24th, a Tuesday. That date isn’t set in stone but it could serve as the launch pad for the Apple Watch, a new MacBook Air and the iOS 8.2 update.

Apple tends to announce iOS release dates on stage alongside new hardware and with iOS 8.2 tying into the Apple Watch, we could see it make an announcement there.

What’s important to note though is that the iOS 8.2 release is probably just a few weeks away.

iOS 8.1.3 Review

For those that are dealing with iOS 8 problems, that probably sounds like an eternity. Fortunately, Apple’s iOS 8.2 isn’t your only option. The iOS 8.1.3 update looks like it’s a very stable piece of software and as we’ve pointed out in our iOS 8.1.3 review, it’s a risk worth taking if you’re currently dealing with unfixable iOS 8 problems.

iOS 8.2 will almost certainly come with bug fixes of its own but if you’re not loving life on iOS 8 right now and you haven’t made the move to iOS 8.1.3, now is probably the time to do so. Just make sure you take a look at our feedback, and feedback from fellow iPhone and or iPad users, before you make the jump to Apple’s current software.

If you aren’t dealing with problems and you aren’t on iOS 8.1.3 yet, there’s really no pressure to make the move right now. Do your homework and then decide if you want to install or wait for iOS 8.2 (or something else) to arrive.

iOS 8.2 vs. iOS 8.1.3

iPhone and iPad users in Apple’s developer program have taken a deep dive into the iOS 8.2 update and they’ve been sharing feedback with the Apple community at large.

A new video shows off the latest iOS 8.2 beta, iOS 8.2 beta 5, next to iOS 8.1.3 on the iPhone 5 and iPhone 4s. This video will likely prove useful to those of you that are on the fence about installing the iOS 8.2 beta and those of you that don’t want to install it but simply want feedback on what to expect.

As you can see, there aren’t a ton of noticeable differences. iOS 8.2 is expected to include bug fixes but more importantly, it’s expected to set devices up for the Apple Watch release. It will likely bring the functionality needed for iPhones and iPads to connect to Apple’s new wearable product. That makes it a significant update.

Those hoping for massive changes to the iOS operating system will likely have to wait until Apple takes the stage at WWDC this summer. There, the company will likely show off the successor to iOS 8.

iOS 8.2 Jailbreak MIA

iOS 8.1.3 killed the iOS 8.1.2 jailbreak and it’s not clear if the developer teams behind the most recent jailbreaks will release an exploit for the iOS 8.1.3 update. It’s also not clear if we’ll see an iOS 8.2 jailbreak emerge.

If there is a public iOS 8.2 jailbreak in the works, the development teams aren’t saying. Likely because they don’t want Apple to catch onto any exploits they might be using to jailbreak Apple’s upcoming upgrade.

What this mean is that if you’re looking to jailbreak, you should probably be on iOS 8.1.2. Apple appears to still be signing for iOS 8.1.2 which means that if you’ve moved to iOS 8.1.3, you can currently drop back down. This method won’t be available forever though.