iPhone 6(S)/Plus Why does my iPhone barely work now?

[eyoungren]

Sorry but he's right. Never change a running system.
Keeping the iPhone on its original OS is the best way to future proof it.

Sadly as Apple does not offer any other options which doesn't slow down older devices.

I would tend to agree with this.

Apple is always pushing you to update for security reasons or for bug fixes. Always pushing, always making it difficult not to. Make a mistake and you find yourself updated.

Then things get more complicated and the hardware slows down. Apple then denies planned obsolesence behind their claim that updates were only for security and bug fixes.

It's a useful legal excuse but people are starting to wise up.
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The device support is second-to-none. This is why I moved away from Android. Does the Galaxy S4 still get support?

They won't support you if you are using a version of iOS too far outside of an arbitrary date they set.

 

[TiggrToo]

I love me my Apple devicen and generally support most of their corporate stance. That said, would it really kill them to at least provide security uodates for at least current OS minus 1?

Least then folk could keep their phones on an older, potentially more hardware friendly, version of the OS yet still stay current when it came to security. I get that this would mean you'd not get some of the fancier Bells and Whistles - e.g. the latest Airplay, but would have protection from things such as Spectre and Meltdown.

 

[maerz001]

I love me my Apple devicen and generally support most of their corporate stance. That said, would it really kill them to at least provide security uodates for at least current OS minus 1?

It would just kill some of their income. That's the only reason they don't do it.

I just hope that people slowly wake up and realize that it's not a reasonable behavior for a +$1000 device and vote with their wallets.

 

[TiggrToo]

It would just kill some of their income. That's the only reason they don't do it.

I just hope that people slowly wake up and realize that it's not a reasonable behavior for a +$1000 device and vote with their wallets.

I'm not so sure it would really make that much of a difference. There's always going to be a large number of folks who'll always update anyway.

That said, I have zero evidence on my thunk, yet still feel it would ultimately help them more than it would hurt them given everything that's gone on these last few months...

 

[akash.nu]

It would just kill some of their income. That's the only reason they don't do it.

I just hope that people slowly wake up and realize that it's not a reasonable behavior for a +$1000 device and vote with their wallets.

I'm not so sure it would really make that much of a difference. There's always going to be a large number of folks who'll always update anyway.

That said, I have zero evidence on my thunk, yet still feel it would ultimately help them more than it would hurt them given everything that's gone on these last few months...

Keeping multiple versions of the same software in live environment is just too much hassle to deal with. It’s as simple as that. Also it’s easier to patch security holes and release fixes easily with this approach.

 

[TiggrToo]

Keeping multiple versions of the same software in live environment is just too much hassle to deal with. It’s as simple as that. Also it’s easier to patch security holes and release fixes easily with this approach.

Totally disagree - I do software development myself and have been in the game 30 years now.

They do it with OSX, and Microsoft manage it perfectly well with Windows. In fact, iOS is a veritable outlier when it comes to this concept of 'Only current'.

 

[bopajuice]

Have you tried setting up as new rather than restoring? Just curious if that would help, doesn't sound like it would though. Keep in mind that the 6 plus only has 1GB of RAM which definitely hurts especially if you're running the latest version of iOS. I believe the 7 plus, 8 plus and X all have 3GB.

I had unrelated issues. Did a restore with new phone issues still there. Set up phone as new and reinstalled software, problems gone.
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Keeping multiple versions of the same software in live environment is just too much hassle to deal with. It’s as simple as that. Also it’s easier to patch security holes and release fixes easily with this approach.

Why not let people decline an update? If people are happy with their current OS and performance, why not offer the option to decline? Little box pops up letting the user know security might be compromised if they dont update, Apple has made the disclaimer, their butts are covered and we move on to more important issues like which color we should buy...

 

[akash.nu]

Totally disagree - I do software development myself and have been in the game 30 years now.

They do it with OSX, and Microsoft manage it perfectly well with Windows. In fact, iOS is a veritable outlier when it comes to this concept of 'Only current'.

Yes, I’m in development as well and supporting legacy systems is a pain. Mobile and desktop paradigm aren’t the same. Microsoft doesn’t have a choice other than supporting older versions because a lot of corporate systems use their platforms as base. Heck, 90% of ATM machines still run Windows 7.

Users will never move on if not forced upon. People in general fear change.

Ref - look at Android for fragmentation issues.

Why not let people decline an update? If people are happy with their current OS and performance, why not offer the option to decline? Little box pops up letting the user know security might be compromised if they dont update, Apple has made the disclaimer, their butts are covered and we move on to more important issues like which color we should buy...

I tend to agree with you to some extent but people are generally unpredictable and, dare I say, looking for opportunities to cash in or just moan.

Apple has been sued in the past because a kid made purchases on the device when the parents handed it over to them knowingly. Who’d have thought the responsibility of protecting people from themselves will fall on Apple’s shoulders?! Similarly, I won’t be surprised if people sued them for getting infected via some security holes albeit they “chose” not to update.

I do think there could be a better strategy to this updating iOS user journey though.

Ps. The option of NOT updating is always there. One just has to choose ‘Cancel’ on the pop up screen.

 

[bopajuice]

Yes, I’m in development as well and supporting legacy systems is a pain. Mobile and desktop paradigm aren’t the same. Microsoft doesn’t have a choice other than supporting older versions because a lot of corporate systems use their platforms as base. Heck, 90% of ATM machines still run Windows 7.

Users will never move on if not forced upon. People in general fear change.

Ref - look at Android for fragmentation issues.



I tend to agree with you to some extent but people are generally unpredictable and, dare I say, looking for opportunities to cash in or just moan.

Apple has been sued in the past because a kid made purchases on the device when the parents handed it over to them knowingly. Who’d have thought the responsibility of protecting people from themselves will fall on Apple’s shoulders?! Similarly, I won’t be surprised if people sued them for getting infected via some security holes albeit they “chose” not to update.

I do think there could be a better strategy to this updating iOS user journey though.

Ps. The option of NOT updating is always there. One just has to choose ‘Cancel’ on the pop up screen.

The writing is on the wall for the most part. As each new OS is released and older hardware has trouble keeping up, eventually it makes some devices unusable. Some people will say a person is stuck in the past and it's their own fault if they don't want the latest and greatest, and some will say a company should continue to support their Commodore 64.

I think the bigger issue is what responsibility does a company have to let their customers know that hardware ages, advances are made, and development and support for older systems is not going to be a priority? Do they give a product a shelf life or put out new software and updates knowing older hardware will suffer?

Not sure what the answer is here but I do think some people are genuinely caught off guard and do not understand why their phone is not working as they expect. Yet according to some opinions the answer is tough s%#$.

 

[akash.nu]

The writing is on the wall for the most part. As each new OS is released and older hardware has trouble keeping up, eventually it makes some devices unusable. Some people will say a person is stuck in the past and it's their own fault if they don't want the latest and greatest, and some will say a company should continue to support their Commodore 64.

I think the bigger issue is what responsibility does a company have to let their customers know that hardware ages, advances are made, and development and support for older systems is not going to be a priority? Do they give a product a shelf life or put out new software and updates knowing older hardware will suffer?

Not sure what the answer is here but I do think some people are genuinely caught off guard and do not understand why their phone is not working as they expect. Yet according to some opinions the answer is tough s%#$.

Really good way of putting it and a refreshingly different view, I appreciate.

I think the general lack of knowledge within the population, about how software industry works is at the root of all the frustrations. Personally, I’ve made it a hobby to educate people about our industry but I’ve realised a lot of the time people don’t want to learn and would rather just moan and complain.

 

[neverloyal]

You describe how my 6s became suddenly, a new battery resolved it for me. It may not be the same for you.

 

[TiggrToo]

Ref - look at Android for fragmentation issues.

Android fragmentation has ZERO to do with OS versions and everything to do with multiple carriers and devices.

 

[akash.nu]

Android fragmentation has ZERO to do with OS versions and everything to do with multiple carriers and devices.

It’s all related. People won’t update because the older versions still officially can be installed. You’re forgetting that average consumers don’t really spend time thinking about updating their devices, even if it’s available.

Manufacturers don’t care about updating softwares either because the existing versions out there “works”.

Ref - https://developer.android.com/about/dashboards/index.html

 

[TiggrToo]

It’s all related. People won’t update because the older versions still officially can be installed. You’re forgetting that average consumers don’t really spend time thinking about updating their devices, even if it’s available.

Manufacturers don’t care about updating softwares either because the existing versions out there “works”.

Ref - https://developer.android.com/about/dashboards/index.html

You seem to be ignoring my request that they support current minus one ONLY.

 

[maerz001]

Keeping multiple versions of the same software in live environment is just too much hassle to deal with. It’s as simple as that. Also it’s easier to patch security holes and release fixes easily with this approach.

Well sure it's more hassle, but they also make 8 times more money with iOS devices! So they could pay easily for that if they do with MacOS.

Even if not. At least there should be the option to roll back to the last iOS when the user is experiencing that the new release sucks.

And to go on there should be an option to stop iOS asking ongoing for the new release install. And I'm not talking about this TVOS profile workaround.

I hope that with one of the 60 class actions there will be some movement.

 

[newellj]

Have you updated each and every time Apple has released an update for iOS?

If so then as mentioned, it's probably iOS and the fact that the 6+ only has 1GB of ram to deal with newer and more complicated versions of iOS.

I realize Apple always pushes updates for security and resolution of bugs, but there is something to be said of not always being on the bleeding edge of updates.

If you did not always update or are running an earlier version of iOS then it's probably a hardware fault or an issue in your backup. Someone has already suggested trying to restore as new.

My wife's 6 has gotten very slow. TBH, it wasn't great on 10. 11 is worse. We've eliminated power issues. I think it's down to 1GB RAM.

I don't think this is very surprising. For the most part, OS/software updates that add functionality need better hardware. If you want to keep using the dated hardware, you need to stick with an OS and apps that don't over-burden the hardware. The problem is that sometimes the features are attractive enough that you really want to update, and three or four year old hardware just isn't up to the task, at least not gracefully.

 

[eyoungren]

The problem is that sometimes the features are attractive enough that you really want to update…

I think that's a personal decision. Everyone likes what they like and features may be attractive to you that are not to me.

All I can say is that Apple has not released any new 'feature' that I have absolutely had to have since iOS 6. I'm still doing the exact same thing I was doing on my iPhone 5 that I was doing on my HTC Touch Pro, that I was doing on my Sanyo Katana.

Mainly, phone calls, email, text and light web browsing. Now, of course I've downloaded other apps over time, but 99% of what I do is already handled by the default iOS apps.

This is one of the reasons I've been comfortable sticking on a version of iOS for as long as I can. Circumstance is the only reason I'm now using an iPhone 6s+ and it's still running 9.0.2.

Now for others, Apple is offering something they want and that's great. It's just unfortunate the hardware does not keep up.

 

[newellj]

I think that's a personal decision. Everyone likes what they like and features may be attractive to you that are not to me.

All I can say is that Apple has not released any new 'feature' that I have absolutely had to have since iOS 6. I'm still doing the exact same thing I was doing on my iPhone 5 that I was doing on my HTC Touch Pro, that I was doing on my Sanyo Katana.

Mainly, phone calls, email, text and light web browsing. Now, of course I've downloaded other apps over time, but 99% of what I do is already handled by the default iOS apps.

This is one of the reasons I've been comfortable sticking on a version of iOS for as long as I can. Circumstance is the only reason I'm now using an iPhone 6s+ and it's still running 9.0.2.

Now for others, Apple is offering something they want and that's great. It's just unfortunate the hardware does not keep up.

Totally agree on all - except that my wife and I have found uses that weren't supported in iOS 6. In fact, I updated my 7 to iOS 11 from 10 (which I had sort-sworn I'd never update from) because the features I wanted on an Apple Watch required it. Individual choice, for sure.

There is a discussion about cracking iOS 11 elsewhere that sort of brings you to the thought that if you really don't want anything sensitive on your phone you should do as Warren Buffett does and use a flip phone that won't do much other that make voice calls and send texts. It actually sounds like you're not too far from that!

 

[eyoungren]

It actually sounds like you're not too far from that!

Not by design…no. I mean, it's never been my intend to keep sensitive information off my phone. On the other hand, both my wife and I are still of an old enough generation that values privacy so anything that is sensitive is discussed in person - verbally.

But personal stuff I want to keep is taken off my phone. I could lose all my pictures, text messages, contacts and email tomorrow and except for the text messages all of that would be on a computer or in Google/Dropbox somewhere.

So, lots of everyday stuff and 2000+ photos of the merchandise on Walmart's shelves because I always forget to delete the pictures I send to my wife when shopping for her.