Upgrade from 14.8 to 16.2?

[Morac]

My dad has an iPhone 8 and I was trying to add him as a recovery contact which wasn’t working. It turns out he’s running iOS 14.8. I have no idea how that’s possible since I think he has auto-update on, unless he turned it off last year.

Since he’s not even running the latest version of iOS 14 and there have been several security updates, I think he should upgrade. The only option he’s given on the device itself is iOS 16.2. Would there be any issues upgrading from iOS 14.8 to iOS 16.2?

 

[Reeneman]

Do it

 

[FNH15]

My dad has an iPhone 8 and I was trying to add him as a recovery contact which wasn’t working. It turns out he’s running iOS 14.8. I have no idea how that’s possible since I think he has auto-update on, unless he turned it off last year.

Since he’s not even running the latest version of iOS 14 and there have been several security updates, I think he should upgrade. The only option he’s given on the device itself is iOS 16.2. Would there be any issues upgrading from iOS 14.8 to iOS 16.2?

My grandfather has an 8 running iOS 16. Runs really nicely. I’d do it!

 

[thadoggfather]

Contrarian view - I wouldn’t

An an older device battery life is probably way worse iOS 14 to 16

 

[Morac]

Contrarian view - I wouldn’t

An an older device battery life is probably way worse iOS 14 to 16

He got his 8 about 2 to 3 years ago, the time between when the 11 and 12 came out so it’s old, but not that old. He doesn’t do much with it.

 

[thadoggfather]

He got his 8 about 2 to 3 years ago, the time between when the 11 and 12 came out so it’s old, but not that old. He doesn’t do much with it.

He might not notice the feature upgrades but possibly will if it has to be on the hook (charger) more often

But that’s just imo

 

[Morac]

He might not notice the feature upgrades but possibly will if it has to be on the hook (charger) more often

But that’s just imo

I’m more worried that he’s not even running the latest version of iOS 14. There were a number of critical security patches that were released for both iOS 14 and 15 this year do to active remotely trigger-able exploits. His only option at this point is 16.2, thought I think 15.7.2 might be installable with a computer.

 

[FeliApple]

Contrarian view - I wouldn’t

An an older device battery life is probably way worse iOS 14 to 16

Agreed. A family member had an iPhone 8 on iOS 12. Battery life, obviously, was flawless. It had a weird issue, I had to update to continue using the iPhone. It went to iOS 14. I tested it, battery life was like-new, flawless. I was - still am - utterly surprised. iOS 16 will not fare that well. It will probably obliterate it. If he doesn’t do much with it... why update? Like you said, he’ll notice battery life issues, he won’t notice - or won’t care - about features. It makes no sense to update.

 

[Morac]

Agreed. A family member had an iPhone 8 on iOS 12. Battery life, obviously, was flawless. It had a weird issue, I had to update to continue using the iPhone. It went to iOS 14. I tested it, battery life was like-new, flawless. I was - still am - utterly surprised. iOS 16 will not fare that well. It will probably obliterate it. If he doesn’t do much with it... why update? Like you said, he’ll notice battery life issues, he won’t notice - or won’t care - about features. It makes no sense to update.

The primary reason

Apple fixes 'actively exploited' zero-day security vulnerability affecting most iPhones | TechCrunch

The iPhone security flaw was discovered by a Google unit that uncovers nation-state spyware, hacking and cyberattacks.

techcrunch.com

 

[FeliApple]

The primary reason

Apple fixes 'actively exploited' zero-day security vulnerability affecting most iPhones | TechCrunch

The iPhone security flaw was discovered by a Google unit that uncovers nation-state spyware, hacking and cyberattacks.

techcrunch.com

When there’s a massive average end-user case actively exploiting millions, let me know. Look, I don’t mean to minimize security. I just disagree with the assessment that it’s worrying enough so that iOS devices are worth crippling by actively harmful iOS updates. iPhone 8 support will probably stop by iOS 17... and a new exploit will arrive. And now what? Throw the iPhone 8 away? Practical advice > theoretical threats. Today and always. The chances of the average end-user being targeted? Practically none. The chances of battery life being obliterated? 100%. Like I said, practical advice.

That was patched on iOS 16.1.2. Now what? Throw every iPhone 6s (one of the best-selling iPhones ever, millions in active use) away? It’s not feasible. It’s not enough.

 

[Morac]

When there’s a massive average end-user case actively exploiting millions, let me know. Look, I don’t mean to minimize security. I just disagree with the assessment that it’s worrying enough so that iOS devices are worth crippling by actively harmful iOS updates. iPhone 8 support will probably stop by iOS 17... and a new exploit will arrive. And now what? Throw the iPhone 8 away? Practical advice > theoretical threats. Today and always. The chances of the average end-user being targeted? Practically none. The chances of battery life being obliterated? 100%. Like I said, practical advice.

That was patched on iOS 16.1.2. Now what? Throw every iPhone 6s (one of the best-selling iPhones ever, millions in active use) away? It’s not feasible. It’s not enough.

This was a big enough issue (basically drive by virus downloads) that Apple put out a patch to iOS 14 this past August and 15 last month so they are providing security patches for old devices.

When Apple stops supporting it entirely, I’m sure he’ll be able to get a new phone. The 8 was free when my Mom got her 11.

 

[FeliApple]

This was a big enough issue (basically drive by virus downloads) that Apple put out a patch to iOS 14 this past August and 15 last month so they are providing security patches for old devices.

When Apple stops supporting it entirely, I’m sure he’ll be able to get a new phone. The 8 was free when my Mom got her 11.

For a while. Afterwards? Just get rid of everything? Even if you do choose to update for security, the issue remains: the iPhone 6s’ battery life is utterly abhorrent on iOS 15. I’m sorry, but battery life > nil chance of being affected. The issue is so pervasive, that that phone is unusable for even light-to-moderate users. I have iOS 10 on my 6s. How does it work? Well, why, yes, flawlessly, of course. Again, practicality > theoretical issues.

Also, they provide occasional patches for older iOS versions. If I’m correctly informed (I might be wrong about this, though), it’s not like they fix everything, there are some exploits they don’t fix, so the argument remains. If it’s latest version or nothing, the iPhone 8 will go from a perfect main device to... just throw it in the trash? Within two seconds? Just for a theoretical threat? And like I said, the alternative is... cripple the device into uselessness or try to defend yourself against a theoretical threat?
It seems pretty straightforward to me.

 

[AL2TEACH]

He doesn’t do much with it.

Update it and turn off stuff he won't use in settings or get another iPhone. That's what I'd do.

 

[Paddle1]

As long as the battery can make it through a day or two it doesn't need to be a concern. You said he doesn't do much with it so it very well may be good enough.

Plus if the battery health has dropped you also have the option to replace the battery.

 

[Morac]

He updated. We’ll see how well it works. Not sure why, but he turns his phone off at night which might be why it never updated even though he has automatic updates enable.