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5 Things to Know About the iOS 11.3.1 Update

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The iOS 11.3.1 update is a tiny download, but it comes with an important fix for iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus and new security patches.

Apple’s new iOS 11.3.1 update is a maintenance release which means it’s much smaller than iOS 11.3 and the upcoming iOS 11.4 update.

Tiny updates like iOS 11.3.1 can have a huge impact on your device’s performance so you need to careful if you’re upgrading from iOS 11.3 or an older version of iOS 11.

In this guide we’ll take you through the most important things to know, right now, about the iOS 11.3.1 update, its changes, its performance on the iPhone and iPad, iOS 11.3.1 problems, and what’s coming next from Apple.

iOS 11.3.1 Reviews

If you’re currently running iOS 11.3, you should be able to get the iOS 11.3.1 update on your phone or tablet in less than five minutes.

Apple’s iOS 11.3.1 update is a lot smaller than iOS 11.3.1 and checks in at just 49.5MB for the iPhone X. You can expect a similar download size across all iPhone and iPad models.

If you’re connected to a fast Wi-Fi network, your iOS 11.3.1 download should take just a couple of seconds to complete.

The iOS 11.3.1 installation process will take a little bit longer. Mileage will vary from person-to-person, device-to-device, but it took about four minutes on an iPhone X running iOS 11.3.

If you’re running an older version of iOS 11 on your device, you’ll be staring down a larger download and a longer installation time. For more on the download and installation, take a look at our guide.

We’ve been using the iOS 11.3.1 update for a short time on several different iPhone and iPad models and here are a few early thoughts about its performance.

As of right now, iOS 11.3.1 battery life is stable. We haven’t noticed any weird drops. Battery issues can emerge at any time so we’ll keep our eyes out issues in the week ahead.

Wi-Fi connectivity appears to be normal and we’ve been able to connect our devices to Bluetooth devices including headsets and speakers. GPS and cellular data are also working fine with iOS 11.3.1 on board.

Our core apps, which include the likes of Twitter, Slack, Asana, Gmail, Chrome, and Spotify are working fine right now. We haven’t noticed any crashes.

We also haven’t seen any user lag on newer models though we’ve encountered lag on older devices like the iPad mini 2 and iPhone 5s.

While most of you should install iOS 11.3.1 in the near future, those of you using older devices need to approach iOS 11.3.1 with caution. New software can be problematic on old hardware.

If you need feedback, take a look at our reasons to, and not to, install the iOS 11.3.1 update on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch today.

We’ve also published our mini iOS 11.3.1 reviews and you’ll find them at these links for the iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6, iPhone 5s, iPhone SE, and the iPad Air 2, iPad Air, and iPad mini 2.

iOS 11.3.1 Update: What’s New

The iOS 11.3.1 update is a small bug fixer and it comes with just a few known changes on board.

Apple’s latest update comes with four known security patches. It also addresses an issue where touch input was unresponsive on some iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus models because they were repaired using “non-genuine” replacement displays.

In the iOS 11.3.1 change log Apple notes that non-genuine “replacement displays may have compromised visual quality and may fail to work correctly.”

iOS 11.3.1 Problems

The iOS 11.3.1 update is causing problems for some iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch users.

iOS 11.3.1 users are complaining about installation issues (initially we were unable to download the update due to an error), abnormal amounts of battery drain, connectivity (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular data) issues, problems with Touch ID and Face ID on the iPhone X, Exchange issues, problems with first and third party apps, and user interface lag.

According to a report from MacRumors, the iOS 11.3 and iOS 11.3.1 updates are causing microphone issues on select iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus models. iPhone 7 users are seeing a grayed-out speaker button during phone calls and some users claim they’re unable to be heard during regular phone calls and FaceTime video calls.

Apple is aware of the issue, but it’s unclear if it’ll be able to fix it with a new software update. Instead, iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus users dealing with the issue are encouraged to get in contact with Apple customer service and escalate the issue to a senior AppleCare advisor.

We’ve also run into some annoying issues of our own including several reoccurring UI bugs that’ve carried over from the company’s iOS 11.3 update.

We’re hoping for a surprise iOS 11.3.2 update, but we’ll be lucky if you see one before Apple rolls out its new iOS 11.4 update in a few weeks.

If you start running into problems with iOS 11.3.1, take a look at our list of fixes for common iOS 11 problems. We’ve also released tips to improve iOS 11 performance and tips to improve iOS 11 battery life on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

Unfortunately, you can no longer downgrade to iOS 11.3 in an effort to improve your device’s performance. Apple’s stopped signing on iOS 11.3 which means the downgrade loophole is now closed.

The company’s also stopped signing off on iOS 11.2.6, iOS 11.2.5, iOS 11.2.2, iOS 11.2.1, iOS 11.2, and older versions of iOS 11.

iOS 11.3.1 Jailbreak

If you want to keep your jailbreak, avoid iOS 11.3.1.

Developers haven’t released a working jailbreak for iOS 11.3, iOS 11.3.1, or iOS 11.4 beta and it’s unclear if they will.

We do know that at least one person has successfully cracked the iOS 11.3 update, but it’s unclear if they’ll release a working jailbreak to the general public. There’s a good chance the exploit will remain private.

https://twitter.com/S0rryMybad/status/989463494671056896

As of right now, the only way you can jailbreak a device running iOS 11 is if it’s running an older version of the software. Unfortunately, there’s no way to downgrade.

For more about the iOS 11 jailbreak, take a look at our roundup.

What’s Next

Apple’s pushed a iOS 11.4 beta developers and the general public ahead of an unknown release date.

The company’s milestone upgrades typically stay in beta for several weeks before the final version is released to the public which means we could see iOS 11.4 arrive in and around WWDC 2018 in early June.

We expect iOS 11.4 to be one of, if not the last, iOS 11 updates for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

Apple’s reportedly working on iOS 12, the operating system that will replace iOS 11 alongside the iPhone 11 this fall.

The company’s new operating system is expected to arrive with new features including new emoji characters though some features have reportedly been pushed into 2019 so the company can address performance and quality issues.

The iOS 12 update will likely make its debut in the summer at the company’s annual WWDC  developer conference. Look for a beta to emerge shortly after the company’s keynote on June 4th.

4 Reasons Not to Install iOS 11.4.1 & 8 Reasons You Should

Install iOS 11.4.1 for Better Security

Install iOS 11.4.1 for Better Security

Apple's iOS 11.4.1 update comes with 15 patches for potential security issues. If you value your security, you should think about installing it today.

iOS 11.4.1 also comes with a USB Restricted Mode that disables the Lightning port on your iPhone or iPad if a device hasn't been unlocked or connected to a computer using a passcode within a certain amount of time. 

The new setting is located in Settings > Face ID/Touch ID & Passcode. There you’ll see a new toggle for USB Accessories. It's toggled off by default. 

This provides an added layer of protection and prevents the use of cracking tools like GrayKey.

If you skipped iOS 11.4, your iOS 11.4.1 update comes with 30+ patches aimed at improving your device's security. This makes it an essential download for most iPhone and iPad users. 

If you missed any of Apple's previous iOS updates, your iOS 11.4.1 update comes with a lot more.

If you skipped iOS 11.3.1, your version of iOS 11.4.1 comes with iOS 11.3.1's four security patches.

If you skipped iOS 11.3, your iOS 11.4.1 update comes with 27 additional patches for potential exploits. Those of you lingering on iOS 11.2.6 would be wise to make the move sooner rather than later.

If you missed iOS 11.3, your iOS 11.4.1 update also includes a new privacy feature. When an Apple feature wants to use your personal information, an icon now appears with a link to access detailed information about how your data will be used and protected.

If you're running iOS 11.2.5 or older, you're currently exposed to an issue that lets people send a specific character that will crash an iOS-powered device and block access to the Messages app. It can also block apps like Facebook Messenger, Gmail, Outlook, and WhatsApp.

The iOS 11.2.6 update's main purpose was to patch up this issue. If you skipped iOS 11.2.6, you'll get these enhancements with iOS 11.4.1.

If you skipped iOS 11.2.5, you'll get 10 additional security patches including one for the malicious chaiOS link exploit.

If you're running iOS 11.2.2 or below and receive a certain GitHub link through your Messages app, your iPhone or iPad can lockup or respring. The Messages app will also become unusable.

If you're on iOS 11.2.1, your iOS 11.4.1 update includes security improvements to Safari and WebKit to mitigate the effects of Spectre.

Apple's iOS 11.2 update fixed several problems, but it also brought problems of its own including a potentially nasty zero-day iOS HomeKit vulnerability.

The vulnerability, discovered by Tian Zhang, allowed for unauthorized control of HomeKit accessories including garage door openers and smart locks.

Apple quickly rolled out a server-side fix, but the company restored full functionality with the release of iOS 11.2.1. If you skipped iOS 11.2.1 and use HomeKit, you should download iOS 11.4.1 right now.

If you skipped iOS 11.2, you'll get a few more patches with your iOS 11.4.1 update. Apple's iOS 11.2 update delivered 11 patches including one for Mail and one for Wi-Fi.

The iOS 11.2 and iOS 11.2.1 updates also patched up a widespread security issue called "Meltdown." Apple says its analysis suggests it "has the most potential to be exploited."

Meltdown affects all iOS 11 powered devices so we highly recommend downloading iOS 11.4.1 if you skipped iOS 11.2.

If you skipped iOS 11.1.2, iOS 11.1.1, and iOS 11.1, you'll get additional patches with your iOS 11.4.1 update.

The iOS 11.1 update delivered eight security patches including a fix for a serious Wi-Fi vulnerability called KRACK or Key Reinstallation Attack. KRACK is an exploit that targets the common WPA2 encryption protocol.

If you're just now making to move from iOS 10 (or whatever you're on) to iOS 11, your iOS 11.4.1 update will come with even more security-related features.

Apple's first iOS 11 update delivered several patches for potential exploits. iOS 11 also comes with new security features aimed at keeping your data safe.

In iOS 11 you can't establish trust with a PC using fingerprints alone. You'll also need to put in a full passcode in order to gain that trust.

If you want to protect the data you store on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, you should make your move to the latest version of iOS. This is particularly important for those of you running older versions of iOS.

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. Chrius

    05/18/2018 at 8:19 am

    This is a pure lie. IOS 13.3.1 is completely melting my iPhone and iPad batteries and iPad keyboard. Who is going to pay for an iPad that is 12 months old and doesn’t hold a charge?

  2. Erik

    05/25/2018 at 9:06 pm

    Having trouble with your native apps after the latest iOS update? This might fix it . . .
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuylWyF7OkU

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