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4 Reasons Not to Install iOS 14.8.1 & 11 Reasons You Should

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Install iOS 14.8.1 If You're Dealing With Problems

Install iOS 14.8.1 If You're Dealing With Problems

If your device has been struggling with issues on iOS 14.8 or an older version of iOS, think about giving iOS 14.8.1 a shot. 

iOS 14.8.1's change log doesn't call out any specific fixes, but new versions of iOS often fix unlisted bugs and performance issues.

The update could fix common issues like severe battery drain, UI lag, Bluetooth problems, random reboots, lockups and freezes, and issues with first-party applications.

If you missed iOS 14.7.1, you'll get its bug fix with your upgrade. The software fixed an issue where iPhone models with Touch ID couldn't unlock a paired Apple Watch using the Unlock with iPhone feature. If you've been dealing with this issue, and you missed iOS 14.7.1, you'll want to download the iOS 14.8.1 update today.

If you skipped iOS 14.7, you'll get its bug fixes with this release. The list of bug fixes on board iOS 14.7 included:

  • Fixed an issue where the Share playlist menu option missing in Apple Music.
  • Fixed an issue where Dolby Atmos and Apple Music lossless audio playback may unexpectedly stop.
  • Fixed an issue where the Battery service message that may have disappeared after reboot on some iPhone 11 models is restored.
  • Fixed an issue where Braille displays could show invalid information while composing Mail messages.

If you skipped iOS 14.6, you'll get its five bug fixes with your upgrade to iOS 14.8.1. iOS 14.6 fixed the following issues:

  • Fixed an issue where unlock with Apple Watch may not work after using Lock iPhone on Apple Watch.
  • Fixed an issue where Reminders may appear as blank lines.
  • Fixed an issue where call blocking extensions may not appear in Settings.
  • Fixed an issue where Bluetooth devices could sometimes disconnect or send audio to a different device during an active call.
  • Fixed an issue where iPhone may experience reduced performance during startup.

If you missed iOS 14.8, iOS 14.7,1 iOS 14.7, iOS 14.6, and iOS 14.5.1, iOS 14.8 brings a bug fix for iOS 14.5's App Tracking Transparency. Specifically, it will fix an issue with App Tracking Transparency where some users who previously disabled Allow Apps to Request to Track in Settings may not receive prompts from apps after re-enabling it.

If you skipped iOS 14.5, you'll get its bug fixes with your upgrade including one that's sure to please iPhone 12 users. Here's the full list:

  • Fixed an issue where messages at the bottom of the thread may be hidden by the keyboard under certain circumstances.
  • Fixed an issue where deleted messages may still appear in Spotlight search.
  • Fixed an issue where Messages may persistently fail to send texts in some threads.
  • Fixed an issue where Mail would not load new emails for some users until restarting the device.
  • Fixed an issue where Call blocking and identification section may not appear in Phone settings.
  • Fixed an issue where iCloud Tabs may not appear in Safari.
  • Fixed an issue where iCloud Keychain could be prevented from turning off.
  • Fixed an issue where Reminders created via Siri may be unintentionally set for early morning hours.
  • Optimization to reduce the appearance of a dim glow that may appear at reduced brightness levels with black backgrounds on iPhone 12 models
  • Fixed an issue related to AirPods audio routing to incorrect device for Automatic Switching.
  • Fixed an issue where AirPods Automatic Switching notifications might be missing or duplicated.

If you skipped iOS 14.8, iOS 14.7.1, iOS 14.7, iOS 14.6, iOS 14.5.1, iOS 14.5, iOS 14.4.2, iOS 14.4.1 and iOS 14.4, you'll get iOS 14.4's fixes with your upgrade. Here's what iOS 14.4 fixed:

  • Fixed an issue where image artifacts could appear in HDR photos taken with iPhone 12 Pro.
  • Fixed an issue where the Fitness widget may not display updated Activity data.
  • Fixed an issue where typing may be delayed and word suggestions may not appear in the keyboard.
  • Fixed an issue where the keyboard may not come up in the correct language in Messages.
  • Fixed an issue where Audio stories from the News app in CarPlay may not resume after being paused for spoken directions or Siri.
  • Fixed an issue where enabling Switch Control in Accessibility may prevent phone calls from being answered from the Lock Screen.

If you skipped iOS 14.3, iOS 14.4, iOS 14.4.1, iOS 14.4.2, iOS 14.5, iOS 14.5.1, iOS 14.6, iOS 14.7, iOS 14.7.1, and iOS 14.8, you get iOS 14.3's fixes with your upgrade. iOS 14.3 brought several important bug fixes along with it:

  • Addressed an issue where some MMS messages may not be received.
  • Addressed an issue where Contact groups failed to display members when composing a message.
  • Addressed an issue where some videos would not appear correctly when shared from the ‌Photos‌ app.
  • Addressed an issue where app folders may fail to open.
  • Addressed an issue where Spotlight search results, and opening apps from Spotlight may not work.
  • Addressed an issue where Bluetooth could be unavailable in Settings.
  • Addressed an issue where MagSafe Duo Charger could wirelessly charge your ‌iPhone‌ at less than the maximum power.
  • Addressed an issue where wireless accessories and peripherals using the WAC protocol could fail to complete setup.
  • Addressed an issue where the keyboard would dismiss when adding a list in Reminders while using VoiceOver.

If you own an iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, or iPhone 12 Pro Max, and you skipped iOS 14.2.1, iOS 14.3, iOS 14.4, iOS 14.4.1, iOS 14.4.2, iOS 14.5, iOS 14.5.1, iOS 14.6, iOS 14.7, iOS 14.7.1, and iOS 14.8, you'll get iOS 14.2.1's fixes with your upgrade.

The iPhone 12 series' iOS 14.2.1 update had three bug fixes on board:

  • Addressed an issue where some MMS messages may not be received.
  • Addressed an issue where Made for iPhone hearing devices could have sound quality issues when listening to audio from iPhone.
  • Addressed an issue where the Lock Screen could become unresponsive on iPhone 12 mini.

If you're running software older than iOS 14.2, you'll get iOS 14.2's fixes with your upgrade. iOS 14.2 included several bug fixes for lingering issues. Here's the full list:

  • Addressed an issue where apps could be out of order on the Home Screen dock.
  • Addressed an issue where the Camera viewfinder may appear black when launched.
  • Addressed an issues where the keyboard on the Lock Screen could miss touches when trying to enter the passcode.
  • Addressed an issue where Reminders could default to times in the past.
  • Addressed an issue where the Photos widget may not display content.
  • Addressed an issues where the Weather widget could display the high temperature in Celsius when set to Fahrenheit.
  • Addressed an issue where the next-hour precipitation chart description in Weather could incorrectly indicate when precipitation stops.
  • Addressed an issue where Voice Memos recordings are interrupted by incoming calls.
  • Addressed an issue where the screen could be black during Netflix video playback.
  • Addressed an issue where Apple Cash could fail to send or receive money when asked via ‌Siri‌.
  • Addressed an issue where the Apple Watch app may unexpectedly close when opened.
  • Addressed an issue where workout GPS routes or Health data are prevented from syncing between Apple Watch and ‌iPhone‌ for some users.
  • Addressed an issue where audio is incorrectly labeled as “Not Playing” in the ‌CarPlay‌ Dashboard.
  • Addressed an issue where devices could be prevented from charging wirelessly.
  • Addressed an issue where Exposure Notifications is disabled when restoring ‌iPhone‌ from iCloud Backup or transferring data to a new ‌iPhone‌ using ‌iPhone‌ Migration. 

If you're running software older than iOS 14.1, you'll get iOS 14.1's bug fixes with your upgrade. Here's what it brought to the table.

  • Addressed an issue where some widgets, folders, and icons were showing up in reduced size on the Home Screen
  • Addressed an issue where dragging widgets on the Home Screen could remove apps from folders
  • Fixed an issue where some emails in Mail were sent from an incorrect alias
  • Fixed an issue that could prevent incoming calls from displaying region information
  • Fixed an issue on some devices where selecting zoomed display mode and an alphanumeric passcode could result in the Lock Screen emergency call button overlapping with the text input box
  • Addressed an issue where some users were occasionally unable to download or add songs to their library while viewing an album or playlist
  • Fixed an issue that could prevent zeroes from appearing in Calculator
  • Resolved an issue where streaming video resolution could temporarily be reduced at the start of playback
  • Fixed an issue that prevented setting up a family member’s Apple Watch for some users
  • Resolved an issue where the Apple Watch case material was displayed incorrectly in the Apple Watch app
  • Addressed an issue in the Files app that could cause some MDM-managed cloud service providers to incorrectly display content as unavailable
  • Improved compatibility with Ubiquiti wireless access points

If you're running software older than iOS 14.0.1, you get the iOS 14.0.1 update's fixes with your upgrade. Here are those bug fixes:

  • Fixed an issue that could cause default browser and mail settings to reset after restarting your iPhone
  • Addressed an issue that could prevent camera previews from displaying on iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus
  • Fixed an issue that could prevent your iPhone from connecting to Wi-Fi networks
  • Resolved an issue that could prevent sending email with some mail providers
  • Addressed an issue that could prevent images from appearing in the News widget

If you skipped an iOS 13 update, you will get additional bug fixes with your version of iOS 14.8.1. Again, the fixes from the update(s) you skipped are baked into your upgrade. 

For more on iOS 13's bug fixes, take a look at our guide.

6 Comments

6 Comments

  1. Richard Rod

    12/08/2020 at 7:57 pm

    XR 14.2 Just noticed Dish Anywhere & My Dish won’t allow sign in. Can’t sign in Dish as my tv provider either.(sign in error. authorization svc.unavail. try later) Tried via wyfy & data. Reboot phone; delete & reinstall apps after update 1 app. Also I can access Dish Anywhere on laptop (win 10) but cannot connect to Dish anywhere or myDish with apps on iphone OR browsers: chrome, opera, and safari on iphone. also I tried dvd.netflix.com on 3 browsers on iphone and get same message ‘page not found” but can do fine on laptop on any browser. Called DISH, T Mobil, Apple and they all point fingers at the other. These always worked in previous versions but I cannot tell you exactly what one was last version working. Why does a web page work on laptop but not on iphone but all other websites work fine on the iphone. going nuts…please help

  2. James

    02/15/2021 at 10:04 am

    My experience – IOS 14.4 is a nightmare for an Iphone7! Immediately following the upgrade, email would no longer open (“connecting” forever). Also, the iphone weather app deleted all weather stations and is similarly “connecting” forever. Deleting a text message, already a ridiculous multi-step process, now requires: select edit; CHOOSE WHETHER TO EDIT TEXT MESSAGES OR OTHER APPS??????; select each text to be deleted; then delete. (Why is there no “delete all” for texts?) Additionally, service bars (inside my house) suddenly dropped from three to one and on the utilities app, I can no longer display the complete serial number. Thank you so much for providing information and assistance to consumers.

  3. Deb

    02/15/2021 at 3:59 pm

    I’m so confused as to what to do? I have an iPhone 7 Plus and not a whole lot of storage left and I need the apps I have now to work so what do I do? I can’t risk loosing anything? Thank you

  4. Jay Wright - iPhone X.

    05/24/2021 at 12:02 pm

    Is iPhone X battery health 89% okay to update?

  5. larry cowan

    07/20/2021 at 12:46 pm

    iOS 14.7 is the worst disaster ever in iOS history, from bad battery, camera, stability issues bad data connections etc the lis goes on, im done with apple… 14.7 I never seen a iOS update go as high as .7 on iOS the highest was iOS 12.5.3 just b4 iOS 13, this goes to show iOS is going down hill fast too many updates in iOS 14, im going back to android…apple dropped the bomb on us

  6. Robert

    09/16/2021 at 7:32 am

    Kinda sounds like Windows. Is Bill Gates involved with Apple production/design? If so, Apple and privacy are done!

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