The way Apple handles iOS upgrades is almost criminal.

[Rodster]

That is why you should know what each update contains and, analyze the pros and cons to tell if you will be happy with the update.

I totally agree with that. I still think Apple should allow for users to downgrade just in case. I have 3 iPad's and none of them are on iOS 8. I've done my research and watched Youtube videos.

1) My iPad 3 is still on iOS 5, anything higher than iOS 6 just kills it.
2) My iPad 2 is running iOS 7 and going to iOS 8 will impact the performance even more.
3) My Air is still on iOS 7 as it runs 7 decently. I'm not sold that iOS 8 will run things better performance wise.

Now i'm looking at iOS 9 to see if it improves performance on the Air and if it will support my iPad 2/3 and improve performance as well.

 

[adam9c1]

What if you are not a techie user and more of an end user?

What if you do not have access to multiple devices "to try out" an update.

I have the following:
iPad 2
iPad 2
iPhone 4
iPhone 4S
iPad Mini 2(r)
iPhone 5S

Some devices with physical damage etc
My main devices are iPhone 5S and Mini(r)
Mini runs 7.0.4 (and I wish it would run more updated 7 but I have missed the window. I have acquired the device with this OS)


I strongly agree devices should be able to go back to older OS, maybe not every single one available but one device had prior to the update.

 

[TRDmanAE86]

I totally agree with that. I still think Apple should allow for users to downgrade just in case. I have 3 iPad's and none of them are on iOS 8. I've done my research and watched Youtube videos.

1) My iPad 3 is still on iOS 5, anything higher than iOS 6 just kills it.
2) My iPad 2 is running iOS 7 and going to iOS 8 will impact the performance even more.
3) My Air is still on iOS 7 as it runs 7 decently. I'm not sold that iOS 8 will run things better performance wise.

Now i'm looking at iOS 9 to see if it improves performance on the Air and if it will support my iPad 2/3 and improve performance as well.

Wow same. I have been doing my reaserch. Just like you, I have nothing I keep on iOS 8 (except faimly iPad 2). From Youtube videos to my friends and the forums, they all tell the same story.

IPad Air is running iOS 7.1.2 (father updated it from 7.1 and, I got angry at him. Mine runs with the 3 minute lockscreen glitch but, overall, it works faster and more efficent than my iOS 8 friends)

IPod touch is maxed out at 6.1.6 (came with iOS 4.2 but, updated because of iMessage and, I had a backup already with iOS 6 [last iPod got totaled])

iPhone 4S is running 6.1.3. due to design and, speed. My friends are extremely jelous because of this one

If apple would allow downgrades, we all would be happy. They do not because, they want us to be all locked in the same iOS version. The later the iOS version, the slower it is

Now, the faimly iPad 2 is a different story. It got bricked running 7.1.2 one day. My father did a restore and, went to 8.0.2. The thing would never work and glitched out like crazy. Finally, one day, I update it to 8.2 and, it runs like a champ. it is faster, but not as fast as 7.x

Even with my friend's iPads, each problematic one has 8.0.2! After I update there Air's (we all have the same models just different iOS's for work), the 7.x ones STILL work better

Would downgrades solve these struggles --> YES
Would apple let us downgrade without jailbreaking NO
Has they caused there own problem YES

 

[ardchoille50]

And for someone that had both 1 and 2 apply when it came to iOS 8 but then resulted in other issues after they updated...what then? By your definition they updated as they should have and yet got something that is worse in other ways.

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And how does that speak to Apple not signing the last major version update so that people could go back to it if they wanted to for some reason?

If you do the research prior to updating, as I stated in my post, you lessen the chance of that. This is where it pays to listen to the experiences of the early adopters.

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Do you really think it should be this way? Or should Apple customers trust apple?

Never blindly trust anything that is not under your direct control. Researching things should be a personal habit, nothing worthwhile comes easy.

 

[C DM]

If you do the research prior to updating, as I stated in my post, you lessen the chance of that. This is where it pays to listen to the experiences of the early adopters.

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Never blindly trust anything that is not under your direct control. Researching things should be a personal habit, nothing worthwhile comes easy.

All the research still won't tell you how it will behave on your own paricular needs against the paricular ways you use it. As has been mentioned a number of times throughout the thread.

Nor does that in any way relate to Apple simply still
signing the last update of the previous version so that people could downgrade to it if they needed or wanted to.

 

[ardchoille50]

The way Apple handles iOS upgrades is almost criminal.

All the research still won't tell you how it will behave on your own paricular needs against the paricular ways you use it. As has been mentioned a number of times throughout the thread.



Nor does that in any way relate to Apple simply still

signing the last update of the previous version so that people could downgrade to it if they needed or wanted to.

Complaining about it here has little chance of resolving the problem. Perhaps your resources would be better spent speaking directly to Apple?

 

[sunking101]

If you do the research prior to updating, as I stated in my post, you lessen the chance of that. This is where it pays to listen to the experiences of the early adopters.

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Never blindly trust anything that is not under your direct control. Researching things should be a personal habit, nothing worthwhile comes easy.

You shouldn't have to research an Apple update. If they have made it available to your phone then you expect - and rightfully so - that it is in fact an upgrade and not a monumental downgrade. If it is inexplicably the latter and Apple didn't make this painfully clear at the outset, then you should be able to downgrade to a version of iOS that your device perfoms well on.

 

[e93to]

Problem is that 99.99999% of the population won't do a research on phone updates. For them, "update" means "improvements," and they will think phone will be improved by these updates. They don't know how complex these phone OS' have become. And they also don't know how newer features tightly packed into the updates can affect the current phones.

And some people just click on update button because, well, it's just random annoying notifications to get rid of just by clicking on it.

And some people just ignore it. I know quite a number of people around who have iOS 4 and iOS 5 that came with their phones.

On the other hand, we Apple fans want to try their newest things the moment they come out. And we are very observant about these glitches, issues and bugs that come with updates. Ask those 99.99999% about these issues. Most won't care, and others won't notice. Even if they notice, they will just live with it until their phone contract expires. This is the market Apple now caters to. And percentage/adoption rate of newest iOS users is more important to Apple since it means growth of customer base. Furthermore, boasting about high number of new features on newest iOS is important for stock prices. After all, Apple is a company. It only has the option to grow or lose market share.

Is Apple "forcing" people to update? Well, in the end, it is the users' choices to update. After all, they clicked on "agree" button on licence agreement before updating. However, it is true that Apple is deliberately pushing people to update. Then, I believe these updates should be, well, "updates." If it is going to bring a lot of glitches and issues, then they should call it "headaches." Imagine Windows Service Pack or newer version of Windows causing crashes. Where are their customers now? Hint: they are on this forum.

 

[ardchoille50]

You shouldn't have to research an Apple update. If they have made it available to your phone then you expect - and rightfully so - that it is in fact an upgrade and not a monumental downgrade. If it is inexplicably the latter and Apple didn't make this painfully clear at the outset, then you should be able to downgrade to a version of iOS that your device perfoms well on.

That is your opinion. I have been using iPhones, iPods and iPads since the iPhone 4 was release and I have never had a problem with an upgrade.

Could it be that your disappointment is clouding your vision and causing you to deflect the blame instead of accepting that you perhaps need to change the way you do things?

 

[sunking101]

That is your opinion. I have been using iPhones, iPods and iPads since the iPhone 4 was release and I have never had a problem with an upgrade.

Could it be that your disappointment is clouding your vision and causing you to deflect the blame instead of accepting that you perhaps need to change the way you do things?

No, I'm pretty sure that isn't it.#
An update is an update, or should be. Whether it's an aesthetic change, new features, or a performance boost then it should never make your device all the poorer for it. If Apple offer up an upgrade direct to your phone/iPad and tempt you to install it, then it shouldn't spoil your enjoyment of that device. If it does then you should be able to simply revert to what you had. Most users won't know about hunting down files from the internet and hurrying to install them before Apple stop signing it etc.

 

[mikec999]

Upgrading is a choice. If you have older hardware, why not wait a few weeks and take the pulse on how the upgrade has gone for others?

It's really not cool, and here's why:

You have a cool apple device that works fine. Oh look, there's a new ios update, cool! It popped up on my screen. That means that it's an improvement and a normal upgrade. I will get it. I can't wait to try it out.

Now, my ipod, ipad, iphone, etc, is slower that it was before. This new ios is slowing things down. And, I can't downgrade back? Now, I have to buy a brand new device so that it runs smoothly when my device was working perfectly a few minutes ago?

Well, personally, I feel as if it's borderline criminal to offer upgrades that cripple their own devices. If apple is the transparent company they claim to be, they should inform its customers as to the version of ios that runs the best on their device, and then allow them to use it.

It really should be done away with, and if I was a hotshot lawyer, I would be on the case. I would really like to see somebody put apple in its place on this issue.

 

[ardchoille50]

No, I'm pretty sure that isn't it.

An update is an update, or should be. Whether it's an aesthetic change, new features, or a performance boost then it should never make your device all the poorer for it. If Apple offer up an upgrade direct to your phone/iPad and tempt you to install it, then it shouldn't spoil your enjoyment of that device. If it does then you should be able to simply revert to what you had. Most users won't know about hunting down files from the internet and hurrying to install them before Apple stop signing it etc.

I could see your point were Apple forcing updates on our devices. However, being that installing, or refusing, the updates is under the complete control of the user, I simply cannot agree with your statements on this subject.

I do have a question for you; how much more complaining is required before said complaining resolves the issue?

 

[Manatlt]

Most of you think Apple's doing this for planned obsolete.

But I think the reason why Apple is locking us down as much as possible is simple. Jailbreaking. Apple hates jailbreakers so much, they want to limit us.

By giving the option to downgrade to any version, we can easily re-jailbreak our devices.

 

[ardchoille50]

Most of you think Apple's doing this for planned obsolete.

But I think the reason why Apple is locking us down as much as possible is simple. Jailbreaking. Apple hates jailbreakers so much, they want to limit us.

By giving the option to downgrade to any version, we can easily re-jailbreak our devices.

I think it goes deeper than that. I used to be an Android developer and I used to help people with android devices. It's so much easier to resolve problems when everyone is on the same page, so to speak.

 

[C DM]

Complaining about it here has little chance of resolving the problem. Perhaps your resources would be better spent speaking directly to Apple?

These are discussion forums, seems like this is one of the kinds of thing they are for. If you aren't interested in a paricular topic you can certainly not bother with it, which is also part of what discussion forums allow you to do.

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That is your opinion. I have been using iPhones, iPods and iPads since the iPhone 4 was release and I have never had a problem with an upgrade.

Could it be that your disappointment is clouding your vision and causing you to deflect the blame instead of accepting that you perhaps need to change the way you do things?

Or perhaps that Apple could change something to improve things?

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Upgrading is a choice. If you have older hardware, why not wait a few weeks and take the pulse on how the upgrade has gone for others?

Because that still doesn't tell you how it will work for you on your device.

 

[I7guy]

These are discussion forums, seems like this is one of the kinds of thing they are for. If you aren't interested in a paricular topic you can certainly not bother with it, which is also part of what discussion forums allow you to do.

Right, and it's fair game to discuss how complaining isn't going to change things.

Or perhaps that Apple could change something to improve things?

This is strictly up to apple, and no matter what one may discuss on this discussion forum, apple does not seem to want to allow backgrades of IOS; even if some think it may "improve" things.

Because that still doesn't tell you how it will work for you on your device.

I couldn't agree more with this. It's like buy brand x of car, where it's gotten stellar reviews and CR and JD Power all rate the car highly and yours turns out to be a lemon.

 

[TRDmanAE86]

All the research still won't tell you how it will behave on your own paricular needs against the paricular ways you use it. As has been mentioned a number of times throughout the thread.

Nor does that in any way relate to Apple simply still
signing the last update of the previous version so that people could downgrade to it if they needed or wanted to.

However, with reaserch, you can get a perspective of what are the issues with the update and, what can be done to minigate the damadge. You will not get a 100% idea of how it will effect your system but, you will get a pretty clear perspective on if you will enjoy it or, it will cause you hell.

Also, if Apple allowed us to downgrade and signed all versions like android, this would not be a problem. However, the Apple Ecosystem is rigged to trick you into updating and, if you don't, there will be concequences with reminders, hijacked memory, and other nasty tricks to coax you to update!

 

[C DM]

However, with reaserch, you can get a perspective of what are the issues with the update and, what can be done to minigate the damadge. You will not get a 100% idea of how it will effect your system but, you will get a pretty clear perspective on if you will enjoy it or, it will cause you hell.

Also, if Apple allowed us to downgrade and signed all versions like android, this would not be a problem. However, the Apple Ecosystem is rigged to trick you into updating and, if you don't, there will be concequences with reminders, hijacked memory, and other nasty tricks to coax you to update!

You can get an idea and install it and still have it perform poorly on your device while many have a positive experience. So what then? What did that research get you?

 

[TRDmanAE86]

You can get an idea and install it and still have it perform poorly on your device while many have a positive experience. So what then? What did that research get you?

Well, it is better to jump into a situation with a little insight rather than going in the dark. Even though, all devices are different, you should review everything. Anything can happen with a iOS update baised on how you do it. Tethering to a computer or doing a OTA can make a difference. When in doubt, use a Tethered iTunes update cause, research has proven that it is less problematic.

There are two ways you can update the iOS software. You can either update over-the-air by opening up the Settings app and navigating to General > Software Update, or you can update through iTunes. The best way to update iOS with minimal issues is to do it through iTunes, simply because the over-the-air update is less reliable with a wireless connection to download and install the update, and your computer takes care of all of the temp files that are created for the update, rather than your iDevice having to deal with all of that.

http://www.gottabemobile.com/2014/10/20/how-long-will-the-ios-8-1-update-take/

Any insight can help mitigate risks and, spot red flags to a bad update. Sure, it won't for 100% of the users but, it will work for at least a majority. Do you have a better answer on how users can find out if a iOS update will cripple there device?

 

[ardchoille50]

Or perhaps that Apple could change something to improve things?

Yes, let's place the blame on the manufacturer and force them to change something that may negatively impact thousands of others rather than you learn or change something in your life that would impact just you and possibly encourage growth. "The buck stops over there.." how sad.

Rule of thumb: always think about the impact on others before action is taken.

 

[TRDmanAE86]

Yes, let's place the blame on the manufacturer and force them to change something that may negatively impact thousands of others rather than you learn or change something in your life that would impact just you and possibly encourage growth. "The buck stops over there.." how sad.

We should start a petition. Has this ever been done through Macrumors before?

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We should start a petition. Has this ever been done through Macrumors before?

nevermind that is against the rules

 

[C DM]

Yes, let's place the blame on the manufacturer and force them to change something that may negatively impact thousands of others rather than you learn or change something in your life that would impact just you and possibly encourage growth. "The buck stops over there.." how sad.

Rule of thumb: always think about the impact on others before action is taken.

Nah, let's just blame the consumer instead. And if you really think that signing the last update so that a few users might be able to downgrade if needed is somehow a big undertaking or something that would have some noticeable impact on anything, then that's certainly an opinion you can have of course, but it doesn't make it real or true just because. Let's not try to have some sort of unrelated "for the good of the masses" or "utopian" rhetoric needlessly get in the way.

 

[Altis]

That is your opinion. I have been using iPhones, iPods and iPads since the iPhone 4 was release and I have never had a problem with an upgrade.

Could it be that your disappointment is clouding your vision and causing you to deflect the blame instead of accepting that you perhaps need to change the way you do things?

Even if that were true, it isn't the norm. There have been tons of issues with iOS updates, especially since 7.0. Are you telling me that 7.0 wasn't brutally sluggish for half a year until 7.1? Or that 8.0.1 didn't cripple many devices cellular/touch ID? Saying that you have never had any problems when there are countless major flaws over the past years is meaningless to the point where I'm not sure you'd acknowledge a flaw in your device.

I could see your point were Apple forcing updates on our devices. However, being that installing, or refusing, the updates is under the complete control of the user, I simply cannot agree with your statements on this subject.

I do have a question for you; how much more complaining is required before said complaining resolves the issue?

So if you want to do a fresh install of iOS on an iPhone 4S, you'll be able to keep on say iOS 6 or 7? No, you'll always be bumped to the latest version.

Yes, let's place the blame on the manufacturer and force them to change something that may negatively impact thousands of others rather than you learn or change something in your life that would impact just you and possibly encourage growth. "The buck stops over there.." how sad.

Rule of thumb: always think about the impact on others before action is taken.

Honestly, what are you on about here? You're preaching at everyone like you're morally superior and we all need to think of the others.

I'm going to go out on a whim. You're a developer, and it's to your best interest that everyone is running the latest version of iOS to make your life easier. You don't care about people having problems, you just want to be able to reduce your workload.

Otherwise, why would you care? Tell us, why would you care if someone wants to revert back to iOS 7.1.2 on their 4S, or even 6.1.6? If someone is having problems that is ruining their experience on their expensive product, why are you so bothered that they can return it to a working state?

If you're so concerned about hindering some kind of progress, why don't you focus your energy on getting Apple to improve their software? Maybe if iOS 8.3 wasn't buggy and slow, even on brand new hardware, people wouldn't be longing for the good old days.

 

[C DM]

Well, it is better to jump into a situation with a little insight rather than going in the dark. Even though, all devices are different, you should review everything. Anything can happen with a iOS update baised on how you do it. Tethering to a computer or doing a OTA can make a difference. When in doubt, use a Tethered iTunes update cause, research has proven that it is less problematic.




http://www.gottabemobile.com/2014/10/20/how-long-will-the-ios-8-1-update-take/

Any insight can help mitigate risks and, spot red flags to a bad update. Sure, it won't for 100% of the users but, it will work for at least a majority. Do you have a better answer on how users can find out if a iOS update will cripple there device?

The only way to install it on your device and use it. Nothing else will truly tell you. And if there are issues, whether for majority or miniroty, doesn't seem all that irrational to be able to go back to the last version that worked fine for you.

 

[TRDmanAE86]

The only way to install it on your device and use it. Nothing else will truly tell you. And if there are issues, whether for majority or miniroty, doesn't seem all that irrational to be able to go back to the last version that worked fine for you.

I would love the ability to downgrade or upgrade to any iOS the heart can please. This would eliminate the need of buggy updates and, allow us users to test drive our devices to see how we like them. Is this too hard for apple to give us?