Apple
iOS 7.1.2 Review: One Month Later
A month ago, Apple released the iOS 7.1.2 update for iPhone and iPad, an update that delivered a trio of bug fixes aimed at squashing iOS 7.1 problems. While it may have tackled some issues, iPhone and iPad owners have been complaining about a number of iOS 7.1.2 problems. With those in mind, we want to take an updated look at the latest iOS 7 update, a month after its release.
Back in March, Apple released iOS 7.1, a massive update for iPhone and iPad and one that delivered a series of bug fixes, enhancements and tweaks aimed at improving the iOS 7 update that the company pushed live all the way back in September. As is the case with all iOS updates, iOS 7.1 fixed a lot of iOS 7 problems. However, it also brought some issues of its own.
iOS 7.1 problems have been popping up since its arrival in March. In April, Apple pushed out iOS 7.1.1, a small update that addressed a few of the issues that were detected inside the company’s large iOS 7 update. The complaints did not stop with iOS 7.1.1 though. In the weeks after its release, we heard about a number of iOS 7.1.1 problems. And it was these complaints that perhaps spawned Apple’s latest iOS 7.1 update, iOS 7.1.2.
Apple released iOS 7.1.2 for all iOS 7 devices back at the tail end of June. The update, which is just over 20MB in size, brought three known fixes for iPhones and iPads including a fix for an email encryption issue that left attachments vulnerable. Like iOS 7.1 and iOS 7.1.1, iOS 7.1.2 did solve some problems for iOS 7 users. However, like iOS 7.1.1 and iOS 7.1, the update brought some issues of its own and failed to fix others.
We’ve spent a month with the iOS 7.1.2 update on the iPhone and iPad. We’ve taken several looks at the software after its release in an effort to provide feedback to those still on the fence and to encourage debate amongst those who updated and may not be getting the results they were after. With iOS 7.1.2 problems still a problem, we want to revisit iOS 7.1.2 and take a look at how it’s performing a month after its release.
iOS 7.1.2 Performance: One Month Later
When it comes to the performance of incremental iOS updates like iOS 7.1.2, I like to look at five different areas in particular. Those areas include applications and how they’re performing post update, battery life and whether there is abnormal drain or slow charging, general bugs or hiccups, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth performance, and overall speed. After spending a month with the iOS 7.1.2 update on the iPhone and iPad, here’s what I’ve found.
Apps
Often times, applications will start behaving badly in the weeks after an iOS update release. For the most part, apps have been agreeable inside iOS 7.1.2 though I have run into some occasional problems with Spotify and Google Chrome on the iPhone 5.
Both Spotify and Google Chrome are crashing far more regularly in iOS 7.1.2. Over the weekend, Spotify crashed three or four times in a matter of minutes before I gave up completely and shifted to Soundcloud. What’s interesting is that the app doesn’t crash on the iPhone 4s, iPad Air or iPad mini with Retina, all running iOS 7.1.2.
Chrome has crashed on both the iPad Air and iPhone 5 though it’s only happened sporadically since I installed iOS 7.1.2 a month ago. I’ve seen maybe three or four crashes a week though thanks to the browser’s Restore feature, it’s not much of a headache, it’s just an annoyance.
Google and Spotify release frequent updates for both apps so my hope is that their next bug fix updates help to crush these issues once and for all. Only time will tell.
Other than these issues, app performance has been great across devices. Even Facebook, a problem child, has been performing admirably on the iPhone 5, iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina Display.
Battery Life
The loudest complaints about iOS 7.1.2 are, unsurprisingly, about its battery life and the supposed battery drain that its delivering to iPhone and iPad users around the world. And while I don’t dispute that many owners are dealing with iOS 7.1.2 battery life problems, I haven’t experienced any of them myself on the iPhone or on the iPad.
I recently went on a trip to New York City. When I travel, I’m extremely reliant on my iPhone and iPad. The iPhone 5 and iPad Air did not let me down and both were able to provide all day battery life. Granted, I was on Wi-Fi a lot of the time but I still didn’t notice any abnormal battery drain or slow charging. Both devices performed admirably.
If you are experiencing battery life issues, I highly suggest taking a look at our list of iOS 7.1.2 fixes. While the fixes aren’t guaranteed to work for you, there is a chance that one of them will solve your battery life issues once and for all. Often times, dislodging battery life issues can take only a matter of minutes.
iPhone and iPad owners dealing with serious battery issues probably want to take the device to an Apple Store. My girlfriend experienced insane battery drain on her iPhone 4s a few years ago and a trip to the Apple Store revealed a potentially dangerous bloated battery.
Bugs & Issues
I’ve heard about issues with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. I’ve also heard complaints about keyboard lag and Apple’s iMessage service. I hear you but all I can say is that in the past two weeks, iOS 7.1.2 has been working flawlessly. iMessage, which I had a problem with a few weeks back, is working fine. And FaceTime Audio is actually delivering high quality audio to my iPhone. It’s a modern day miracle though I’m not sure how long it will last.
My iPhone 5 has had FaceTime Audio issues since the arrival of iOS 7. The experience has been extremely up and down. The service will work fine some days and awful on others. From what I can tell, there is no permanent fix for audio issues inside FaceTime Audio so my hope is that Apple improves the service in iOS 8. Dropped calls and bad audio aren’t a good look. And yes, I’ve seen these issues in all sorts of environments with both cellular and WiFi.
If you’re having issues with iOS 7.1.2, take a look at our fixes for iOS 7.1.2 problems. They might help.
Connectivity
Bluetooth, LTE, and WiFi connectivity on the iPhone 5, iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina Display have been consistent through iOS 7.1.2. That is to say, all of them are working fine on the latest update.
I did have a small hiccup with Bluetooth and my Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth speaker the other day but I was able to fix the issue by forgetting about the device in the settings and then connecting to it once again. Other than that, speeds are great and connections are stable.
Speed
iOS 7.1.2 has maintained the speed that Apple delivered with iOS 7.1 thanks to changes to transitions and animations. The software runs beautifully on the iPhone 5 while the difference between iOS 7.1 and iOS 7.0 on the iPad isn’t as noticeable.
Apps still open extremely quickly across all devices, same with folders, and the software remains fluid. I haven’t noticed any of the strange lag that plagued my devices inside iOS 7.0. iOS 7.1.2 is fast.
Is iOS 7.1.2 Worth Installing?
After spending a month with iOS 7.1.2, I can say that the software is extremely stable. The app issues appear to be isolated as so the FaceTime Audio problems that I continue to have on my iPhone 5. Other than those issues, iOS 7.1.2 is performing well in the areas that count, areas like battery life and connectivity.
Given the fixes that are on board, I think it’s an update that’s certainly worth investigating and for most people, worth the download. Remember, there is always a chance that it will fix issues that Apple didn’t include on the change log.
That said, if you’re still on the fence, we’re getting closer to another iOS update that could potentially alleviate your issues.
iOS 7.1.3 & iOS 8
There’s still no sign of an iOS 7.1.3 update from Apple though the iOS 8 release is inching closer. The iOS 8 release date is now pegged for September alongside the iPhone 6 and it’s through iOS 8 that Apple could solve many of these lingering iOS 7.1.2 problems. It’s also possible that iOS 8, like iOS 7.1.2, will bring some problems of its own.
How’s iOS 7.1.2 treating you after a month?
Sammy
07/28/2014 at 4:42 pm
Well, today is 7/28/2014 and this is the second time that both my Ipad and Iphone are not connecting to an excellent WiFi source. Basically the software is taking too long to connect which eventually turns out to not connect at all.
Edward
07/28/2014 at 4:42 pm
Stop telling people what you want to believe. Investigate. Your really trying to say that all of these people are wrong. Just because you don’t suffer all of the issues, don’t make light of the issues that everyone else is having. iOS 7.1.2 is NOT a STABLE update.
Selvin
07/28/2014 at 5:52 pm
Wht the heck didn’t have pblms then don’t have none now so wht is this article about pure haters
Rochelle
07/28/2014 at 10:26 pm
I was on face book and the screen turned blue then a weird color and now it won’t turn on
krishna nischal
07/29/2014 at 6:19 am
really 9czzzz feauture on iphone 5
DB Recoil
07/29/2014 at 10:31 am
Wifi stopped working right after I upgraded to 7.1.2 no option to roll back, I did a complete factory wipe still no go..IPAD is essentially dead in the water, makes for a great, but expensive photo frame.
Karen
07/29/2014 at 12:29 pm
Gotta agree… just because 7.1.2 didn’t cause problems in 2 isolated cases, doesn’t mean it isn’t causing problems for others. It could certainly be coincidence that my battery life is abysmal since I upgraded to 7.1.2, but I have checked out pages upon pages of tips for dealing with battery usage issues to no avail, and it’s extremely hard to ignore the fact that it began when I updated (over Wi-Fi) to 7.1.2. You can never, with ANY amount of testing, be certain that your software is bug-free (Software Dev 101)…
Lena
07/29/2014 at 6:36 pm
There is a very large community of Apple users experiencing dysfunction on the IOS 7 update. Apple knows this is a problem but will not take ownership. Sat at the Genius Bar last nite and got insulted. The Apple rep said the reason why my WiFi and Bluetooth isn’t working any longer – is the fact that it’s a hardware issue..but we can offer you to buy another replacement phone for $200! Really?! We all know the recent IOS is a complete failure frying out everyone’s devices across the board. These phones are our lifeline. This phone is all I have. Can’t afford the replacement cost- parent of a special needs kid –
Apple should be ashamed of themselves placing blame on the consumers- I was one of the 20 people sitting to get serviced. Drove 20 miles to get the blame game, scripted talk-offs. I should have stayed home and find solace in the blogs- there’s tons of disappointed people.
Samsung….here I come!
nogamenolife
07/30/2014 at 3:16 am
have apple ever thought that keyboard lagyness, delays in opening apps, 3G loading problems, photo taking problems and also even unlocking the iphone problems for the iphone 4….ever get fixed??
Geez just give us an option to downgrade already…please make a review into the iphone 4 on ios 7.1.1
Terry
07/30/2014 at 8:57 am
Is anyone having problems with the IOS 7.1.2 upgrade for IPad where when the IPad is charging it is basically taking all the internet line capability – other devices like a desktop/laptop have pings of 2000 rather than 35ms – when the IPad is unplugged [no longer charging] the internet line strength for all devices returns to normal.
j. mcgreer
07/30/2014 at 9:49 am
i too am experiencing problems with update on iphone. In the middle of conversation with my son in canada through horizon phone app supplied by my cable company it cut out. Never had problem with this app until update. Have tried everything to resolve but cannot make connectivity as “wi-not connected.
Tex
07/30/2014 at 4:07 pm
***Bluetooth Bug*** I use an i-phone 5-C CDMA 1532, and after the 7.1.2 (11D257) update, when streaming radio, the Bluetooth cuts in an out when I am walking around outside. I did not do that before. And the same problem appears on two different Bluetooth receivers. Maybe it’s the Verizon cell towers. Is anyone else having similar issues??
Clara
07/31/2014 at 9:39 am
I can’t even open FB or FB Messenger. Is this just me???
Yvan
08/03/2014 at 9:40 pm
mee too, I can’t open my FB since i’ve been updated my FB last night.
Thai
07/31/2014 at 3:12 pm
My iphone 5 keeps disconnecting from internet use and drop calls after recent update. At first I thought it was my at&t carrier issue. I contacted at&t and they said there is no issue with their towers in my area. Called apple care, did all the steps to fix problem, did not work. Went to apple store, the tech told me the same thing. Got new sim card. Still having problems. After a month of this, I guess it time to dump apple. Hopes every else have better luck.
Kadambari Jogarao
08/04/2014 at 4:45 am
My wifi is not connecting in-spite of very good wifi signal strength on Iphone 4s after this update and Battery is draining fast and needs frequent recharge. Looking eagerly for next upgrade or solution. Please reply or suggest to email: [email protected]
Guess who
08/04/2014 at 1:06 pm
What a waste of time. You blog is pointless as a help for people with valid iOS issues. Why bother.
Leart
08/13/2014 at 10:55 am
We’ll, I tried ios 7,1,2 on Ota update and everything went just fine, the only suspect I had was that the ios was slow sometime but it was my sensation don’t know.
But I downgraded one week latter on ios 7.1.1.
Who is not happy with 7.1.2 can downgrade on 7.1.1 apple is still signing that firmware, just download the ipsw for your device shift+restore and that’s it.
Stop crying like babies, you should try android to start love ios again :)
charlesgreen
08/18/2014 at 5:33 pm
I bought a new car partly on the assurance that it could do wonderful things with my iPhone (5s, 7.1.2). Turns out, it was a nightmare to get it to work.
Turns out, that’s because Hyundai doesn’t support 7.1.2; and, they’re very unapologetic about it, blaming Apple.
Interestingly, according to their site, neither does Toyota support 7.1.2.
Unfortunately for me, Apple tells me there’s no going back; once you move to 7.1.2, you can’t “retrograde” to 7.1.1, which the car manufacturers support.
So I can sell the car, sell the iPhone, or stew in my juices. No real choice.