iPhone SE 2 Problems: 5 Things You Need to Know

While some people are having a great experience, others are running into problems on their iPhone SE 2.

We continue to hear about issues plaguing the device. We still haven’t heard about any truly widespread issues, but we have heard about an assortment of bugs and performance issues impacting the iPhone SE 2’s performance.

With that in mind, we want to take you through the most important things to know, right now, iPhone SE 2 problems.

Our guide we’ll take you through the current state of these issues, potential fixes for problems, places to find feedback about problems, and information about the next software update for iPhone SE 2 users.

iPhone SE 2 Problems

If you’re having issues activating your iPhone SE 2, check Apple’s System Status page. If “iOS Device Activation” doesn’t have a  green symbol next to it, you’ll want to wait until it’s green before trying the activation process again.

If it’s green and the process still isn’t working, make sure you have a SIM card inserted into your iPhone. If you’re receiving a “No Sim” or “Invalid SIM” error, you’ll want to head to this guide on Apple’s website for assistance.

iCloud Restore issues are also a common problem. If you run into issues restoring your data from iCloud, head here for some potential fixes.

We’re also hearing about a variety of issues including issues with Touch ID, abnormal battery drain, issues with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, Exchange issues, problems with first and third-party applications, and a variety of other problems.

We expect the list to grow as Apple releases new iOS 17 software and as more people buy the iPhone SE 2 throughout the year.

Where to Find Feedback

If you’re thinking about buying an iPhone SE 2, or if you already own one, you’ll want to monitor feedback from early adopters. This feedback will alert you to potential issues with the device’s hardware and software.

We recommend keeping an eye on YouTube, Apple’s discussion forums, social media sites like Twitter, and the MacRumors forums for ongoing feedback about the budget device.

Apple’s pushed new iOS 17 software to the iPhone SE 2. If you’re debating a move from iOS 16 to iOS 17, or a move from one version of iOS 17 to another, have a look at our iOS 17 walkthrough.

How to Fix iPhone SE 2 Problems

While some issues might require a fix from Apple in a future iOS update, some problems can be fixed from the comfort of your home.

If you run into a problem, take a look at our list of fixes for the most common iOS problems. It will take you through fixes for issues like broken Wi-Fi.

We’ve also released some tips to help your device’s performance and a guide that could help you improve battery life if you’re noticing abnormal drain.

If you can’t find a fix in those guides, you’ll want to check Apple’s discussion forums for potential fixes for your problem(s).

If you can’t find anything on Apple’s forums, you might want to get in touch with Apple. You can do so via the company’s website.

If you’d rather explain your issue in person, you should take your new phone into your local Apple Store. If you’ve got an Apple Store in your area, and it’s open, you’ll want to schedule a Genius Bar appointment when you can.

How to Downgrade iPhone SE 2 Software

If you’re having issues on your iPhone SE 2, you can sometimes downgrade the software in an attempt to improve the device’s performance.

If you’re unfamiliar with the downgrade process our guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

What’s Next

If you encounter problems on your current version of iOS 17, you’ll be on your own for a bit.

The company’s confirmed a new iOS 17.3 update and the software’s in beta testing. We expect the final release to come in late January or early February.

If you can’t/don’t want to wait for the official release date, you might try downloading the iOS 17.3 beta onto your device and see if performance improves.

For more about iOS 17.3 and the beta, have a look at our walkthrough. And for more about the iOS 17.3 release date, check out our guide.

Install iOS 17.4.1 for Better Security

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If security is important to you, think about installing Apple's iOS 17.4.1 update right away. The iOS 17.4.1 update includes two security patches. These patches will help keep your device and its data protected from harm. And that makes iOS 17.4.1 an important upgrade. If you missed iOS 17.4 and older software, you'll get the security patches from updates you missed when you upgrade to iOS 17.4.1. iOS 17.4 had four security patches on board.  The update also delivered quantum security protection for iMessage. The company says the upgrade gives iMessage "the strongest security properties of any at-scale messaging protocol in the world."  The iOS 17.3 update brought 15 new security patches to iPhone. The software also added Stolen Device Protection to iPhone. It increases the security of your iPhone and Apple ID by requiring Face ID or Touch ID to gain access to passwords, make purchases in Safari, and more. This is useful if someone gets access to your iPhone and its passcode.  iOS 17.2 delivered 10 new security patches to iPhone. If you wish to find out more, you can head on over to Apple's security site for the details. iOS 17.2 also included iMessage Contact Key Verification which improves the security of iMessage. The company also fixed an exploit that let the Flipper Zero multi-tool lock up iPhones. iOS 17.1.2 had two security patches on board. Both were related to WebKit. If you want to learn more, you can do so right here. iOS 17.1 brought 18 security fixes to iPhone. It addressed issues within Weather, Status Bar, WebKit, and more.  iOS 17.0.3 brought two patches for two security issues Apple identified within the software. If you want to read about the patches, head here. iOS 17.0.1 delivered three important patches to iPhone. If you're interested in the exact nature of these improvements, you can read about them over on Apple's security website. As for iOS 17 itself, it brought 40+ new security patches with it. A staggering number to say the least. If you want to learn more about them, head over to Apple.  In addition to those patches, iOS 17 brings some additional enhancements to privacy and security including improvements to Communication Safety beyond Messages. It now includes content sent by AirDrop, Contact Posters in the Phone app, FaceTime, and the systemwide photo picker. You now have an option to blur out sensitive photos and videos before you choose to view them. There's also an expanded Lockdown Mode which will help protect you against cyber attacks. Apple's also improved sharing permissions and you now have more control over what you share with the apps on your device.  The company also notes that starting in iOS 17, Voice Memos encrypts the titles of recordings stored in iCloud, in addition to the recordings themselves. If you skipped older versions of iOS, you'll get the security patches from those updates with your iOS 17.4.1 update as well.

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