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iPad iOS 8.4.1 → iOS 11 on iPad Air 2?

redheeler

redheeler

macrumors G3
Original poster
Oct 17, 2014
8,707
9,419
Colorado, USA
So believe it or not, my iPad Air 2 is still on the factory iOS 8.4.1. I am already getting messages about the latest versions of apps not working, and it's only a two-year-old OS build (released August 2015).

I am thinking to finally make the jump to iOS 11 after hesitating so long due to lack of downgrade rights. How smoothly is it running for iPad Air 2 and iPad Air owners, and are all the multi-tasking features working fine? Post your experience and advice in this thread!

After I go ahead with the update, there is no going back...
 
Has your iPhone 6s Plus been upgraded? I’d guess it would run a bit better on the Air 2 than your iPhone.
 
I'm not sure if this is an issue on my part or if it's an OS issue but there is a very noticeable delay when tapping an app icon before it opens. It was like this in iOS 10 too so maybe a clean install will remedy it. Also the general performance feels a little sluggish.
 
redheeler said:
So believe it or not, my iPad Air 2 is still on the factory iOS 8.4.1. I am already getting messages about the latest versions of apps not working, and it's only a two-year-old OS build (released August 2015).

I am thinking to finally make the jump to iOS 11 after hesitating so long due to lack of downgrade rights. How smoothly is it running for iPad Air 2 and iPad Air owners, and are all the multi-tasking features working fine? Post your experience and advice in this thread!

After I go ahead with the update, there is no going back...
Click to expand...
The battery life is not good. A little lag. Get hot when browsing the web for long time.
 
Don't install it ! I did so, FaceTime was broken (no rotation, calling issues only resolved by rebooting), battery usage was really bad, and it got hot doing nothing particular. I downgraded it to 10.3.3 and everything was back to normal.

You should rather update it to 10.3.3 while you still can, it's very stable & fast and almost bug free.
 
That's not good. iOS 8.4.1 has always been excellent as far as efficiency and battery life are concerned.

Perhaps I will wait until iOS 11 matures a little bit before I install, as most apps I use still work on 8.4.1. I did find it funny how stringent the OS requirement is for the Apple Store app, apparently if I'm not running the latest iOS they don't want my money. ;)
 
I think any version of iOS is better than iOS 8. iOS 8 will go down as the most turdiest version in the entire history of iOS.

iPad Air 2 retains most of it's smoothness and very much usable on iOS 11 GM.
 
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d5aqoëp said:
I think any version of iOS is better than iOS 8. iOS 8 will go down as the most turdiest version in the entire history of iOS.
Click to expand...
Hmm, why do you say that?
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aakshey said:
Why don’t you just install 10.3.3?
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The Dock and Files app in 11 are what tempt me the most to update. iOS X has the split-screen feature if I recall correctly, but the MacOS-style Dock looks awesome.
 
redheeler said:
So believe it or not, my iPad Air 2 is still on the factory iOS 8.4.1. I am already getting messages about the latest versions of apps not working, and it's only a two-year-old OS build (released August 2015).

I am thinking to finally make the jump to iOS 11 after hesitating so long due to lack of downgrade rights. How smoothly is it running for iPad Air 2 and iPad Air owners, and are all the multi-tasking features working fine? Post your experience and advice in this thread!

After I go ahead with the update, there is no going back...
Click to expand...
Upgrade to 10.3.3 on the Air 2 while you still have that option. Iirc, iOS 11 is slated for 09/19. We have the Air 2 at home and it works quite smoothly on iOS 10.

Then just wait for YouTube videos for iOS 10 vs iOS 11 comparison on the Air 2 before you make that switch.
 
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Just upgraded my air2 now to iOS 11 I’m really impressed and I’m as cynical and lag hating as they come. Very smooth so far. No idea about batter life but happy so far. 10.3.3 had a few issues for me , this so far is better

Been using for a couple of hours now, a few more stutters now, some things def slower but it’s quite impressive for a new iOS on an old device .
 
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Not very smooth, a lot of UI stutter. But it transforms the capability if the iPad completely, so well worth it.
 
If you have enough free time, install the beta profile and GM now and test it over the weekend. If you like it, all good, if not - you can still restore it back to the more mature iOS 10.3.3.

I have run iOS 11 beta on my iPad Air 2 since PB3 without any issues, but we all have different expectations & workflows.
 
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one more said:
If you have enough free time, install the beta profile and GM now and test it over the weekend. If you like it, all good, if not - you can still restore it back to the more mature iOS 10.3.3.

I have run iOS 11 beta on my iPad Air 2 since PB3 without any issues, but we all have different expectations & workflows.
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This is what I did as I’ve been burnt in the past . Yes I’m starting to see the odd stutter but nothing major , it’s slowe on my 6splus to be honest
 
well strangely, my air 2 now performs like a dog. I've wiped it and started again but not noticed an improvement. was ok to start with, but now slow. the new features are pretty good, but if you want smoothness/speed id wait. if it gets worse, ill go back to 10 before they stop signing. my 6s plus is also pretty bad, I think most of it is around the animations. They seem very laggy.
 
my air2 runs fine on iOS 10. Plus it has the multi tasking split view, etc which was introduced in iOS9 i believe. 8.4.1 for the air2 hinders its potential
 
I was having nothing but issues with betas on my Air 2. I updated to the GM and still was having issues. I finally said screw it and restored my Air 2 as new (like the 5th time this summer). GM is running much better now. Battery life has gone up 3-fold by restoring as new. I configured everything to be exactly the same. So the only difference is the fresh install. So anyone having issues, restore as new. Its worth the time.
 
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iOS 11 works fine on my iPad Air 2. I’ve been on the Beta and now GM well over a month now. The GM is quite decent IMO. The earlier betas not so much.
 
I recommend upgrading to 10.3.3 while possible. I wouldnt recommend 11 especially right after ios 8. It will feel sluggish. 10.3.3 wont.
 
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