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iOS 7.1.1 on iPad 3: Performance & Impressions

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The iOS 7.1.1 update for the iPad 3 arrived last week, offering small bug fixes for iPad and iPhone users.This free update does not add any major features or bug fixes for this older iPad, but it does include an important security update for iPad owners. Overall this is a good update, but some users report problems installing iOS 7.1.1 on the iPad 3 so users should read before updating.

Apple is continually updating iOS 7 with small bug fixes, and this is the first update since Apple offered iOS 7.1 in March. With the iOS 7.1 update Apple boosted the performance of the iPad 3. While it is not as dramatic as the speed boost on the iPhone 4, the iPad 3 is noticeably faster on iOS 7.1.

Apple describes the iOS 7.1.1 update for the iPad 3 as an update that targets improvements, bug fixes and security updates. While there is a Touch ID fix, iPad 3 owners may see improved keyboard responsiveness and a fix for a bug with Bluetooth keyboards while using VoiceOver.

The iOS 7.1.1 iPad 3 performance is good, but some installation problems plague users.

The iOS 7.1.1 iPad 3 performance is good, but some installation problems plague users.

Inside the security side of the iOS 7.1.1 update Apple cleans up a collection of issues that would allow a hacker to steal login information, crash apps and steal data. The security fixes in iOS 7.1.1 are worth updating for most users.

The iOS 7.1.1 update is a small update that does not add features or change the look of the iPad 3 like iOS 7.1 and iOS 7, but it is still an update that comes with the potential to bring other problems. After installing a small update like iOS 7.1.1 we test the performance, app compatibility, wireless and other potential issues to see if users need to worry about the free iOS 7.1.1 update breaking the iPad 3.

Below I share my experience installing iOS 7.1.1 on the iPad 3 and how the older iPad performs on the new update. While my experience so far is very good there are a number of users complaining about IOS 7.1.1 problems on the iPad 3.

iOS 7.1.1 Installation on iPad 3

The iOS 7.1.1 update is a small file to download on the iPad 3 and I was able to install this over the air without freeing up any space on the older iPad 3. Sometimes big updates need more free space than is available on an iPad or iPhone, but thankfully this was not the case.

It took about 10 minutes to download and verify the iOS 7.1.1 update on the iPad 3. After this process it took me roughly 10 minutes to install iOS 7.1.1 on the iPad 3. When this completed I unlocked the iPad and it was ready to go. This was a pain-free update to iOS 7.1.1 for me, but not so much for others.

iOS 7.1.1 Update Problems

Many users on twitter report that installing the iOS 7.1.1 update on the iPad 3 “bricked” the device. From the reports we see the iPad 3 iOS 7.1.1 update will not break the iPad completely, but some users report the need to plug-in to iTunes and restore the iPad 3 in order for it to work again.

https://twitter.com/J_rge/status/460256684594569217

Other users report odd behavior such as no badge, sound or banner settings on the iPad 3 with iOS 7.1.1. There are other users that updated with no problems, so it is not clear how widespread this issue is.

Even if these iOS 7.1.1 problems on the iPad 3 are limited to a small number of users it is a good idea to plug the iPad 3 into your computer and backup before performing the iOS 7.1.1 update. This way if things go wrong you can still restore all of your data.

iOS 7.1.1 Performance

Overall the performance of iOS 7.1.1 on the iPad 3 is good. There is not a big boost like I saw with iOS 7.1.1, but things feel fast and smooth. Switching to the multitasking window and back to an app does feel slightly faster on IOS 7.1.1, but this may just be in my head. After updating to iOS 7.1.1 I test a variety of apps and settings to see how the iPad 3 performed, here’s a look at the results.

Learn about the iOS 7.1.1 performance on the iPad 3.

Learn about the iOS 7.1.1 performance on the iPad 3.

Apps

The iOS 7.1.1 update did not break any apps on the iPad 3. A small update like this shouldn’t break app support, but I tested Facebook, Safari, Netflix and several other apps to make sure they work ok on this new update.

iOS 7.1.1 Battery Life

It is still too early to make a definitive statement on the iOS 7.1.1 battery life on the iPad 3, but after a few days this update seems to be running smoothly with no impact on iPad 3 battery life.

I am still able to count on 10 hours of use and days and days of standby time on the iPad 3. I will share a full report after spending more time with the iPad 3 iOS 7.1.1 update.

Bugs

Small updates like iOS 7.1.1 fix bugs, but there is always a chance that an update will bring a new bug. For some iPad 3 users the installation did not go smoothly, but after installing iOS 7.1.1 the update appears to be free of any show stopping bugs.

Connectivity

The iPad 3 running iOS 7.1.1 that I have available to test only supports WiFi and Bluetooth. I was able to connect to multiple connections, including a hotspot using the iPad 3 on iOS 7.1.1. I could not test a 3G or LTE connection.

I also tested the iPad 3 with a Bluetooth keyboard and the iPad worked as expected. These are good signs as some iOS updates can break WiFi for some users.

Speed

https://www.gottabemobile.com/tag/iphone-6/

The iOS 7.1 update boosted speed on the iPad 3 and iOS 7.1.1 appears to optimize a few areas, but does not deliver another major boost in performance. More importantly, it does not slow the iPad 3 down. There is always a chance that a small update can break something, but it looks like Apple managed to keep any performance bugs out of the iOS 7.1.1 release.

Should You Install iOS 7.1.1 on the iPad 3?

The iOS 7.1.1 iPad 3 update is a no brainer for most users as it fixes a security issue and several other bugs and does not break other features or slow the iPad 3 down.

Due to the iPad 3 iOS 7.1.1 problems with installation that some users experienced it is a good idea to plug-in to your computer and backup before updating to iOS 7.1.1. Make sure you leave enough time to perform a restore if something does go wrong.

This may be the last iOS 7 update for some time as Apple is working towards an iOS 8 announcement in June and an iOS 8 release is rumored for this fall alongside a new iPad Air with Touch ID and an iPhone 6.

5 Comments

5 Comments

  1. linda

    04/29/2014 at 3:25 pm

    My ipad2 now will not landscape the home screen, it stays in portrait. And..WWF app will not go portrait, but sometimes will do landscape but the next time will not..need a fix or tell me what to do.

    • ??@??.com

      05/02/2014 at 9:02 am

      Cause you disabled Rotation. You don’t double-check what you’ve done…

      • ??@??.com

        05/02/2014 at 9:03 am

        Or either was your fault that your iPad got glitched. Not apple’s fault.

  2. Barbay1

    05/01/2014 at 7:45 am

    Thank you for the info. It’s very helpful, as I’m really cautious now when Apple release a new update.

  3. ipad3 battery draining in few hours after 7.1.1

    05/28/2014 at 9:00 am

    ipad3 battery draining after only a few hours after 7.1.1 update. Used to last for a day or better with heavy use.

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