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

Apple’s new iOS 14.8.1 update could have a huge impact on your iPhone’s performance. While some of you should install the software right now, others might be better off waiting.

The company’s released a new iOS 14 upgrade for iPhone and the iOS 14.8.1 update is available to download right now if you own an iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone SE 2, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, or iPhone 12 Pro Max still running iOS 14.

Like the previous version of iOS 14 (iOS 14.8), iOS 14.8.1 is a small upgrade and it brings security enhancements to iPhone models.

The iOS 14.8.1 update requires a fairly small download. It’s just over a hundred megabytes for iPhone owners moving up from iOS 14.8. The download will be larger for those of you moving up from older versions of iOS. That’s because the features and fixes from the updates you skipped are baked in.

Those of you dealing with issues on older versions of iOS could see a huge turnaround after installing iOS 14.8.1. We’re hearing about a number of positive changes. That said, we’re also hearing about bugs and performance problems impacting the software.

If you run into issues on iOS 14.8.1, note that you can’t downgrade your phone’s software. Apple isn’t signing on iOS 14.8. Unfortunately, Apple isn’t signing on anything older than iOS 14.8 either.

This means those of you having a great experience on iOS 14.8 and below should approach iOS 14.8.1 with caution. Once you make the move, there’s no going back.

If you’re currently debating a move to iOS 14.8.1, allow us to walk you through the best reasons to install the software today and the best reasons to hang around on your current version of iOS for a little bit longer.

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