Most users are reporting dramatically enhanced performance, better signal and battery life, and greater stability after installing iPhone OS 2.1. Some users are, however, experiencing significant issues.
Will not install — fix Some users have problems installing iPhone OS 2.1, with iTunes delivering a cryptic error message during the process, after the “Update” button is pressed.
If you are experiencing a similar issue, try downloading one the standalone firmware update files (appropriate for your iPhone)
Next, hold the option key under Mac OS X or the Shift key under Windows while clicking the “Restore” button, then select the downloaded file.
Failing that, try deleting an re-downloading it. Either use the standalone download link and instructions in yesterday’s article, or navigate to on of the following directories:
- under Mac OS X: ~/Library/iTunes/iPhone Software Updates
- under Windows XP: C:/documents and settings/[yourusername]/Application Data/Apple Computer/iTunes/iPhone Software Updates
- under Windows Vista: C:/users/[yourusername]/AppData/Roaming/Apple Computer/iTunes/iPhone Software Updates and delete the 2.0.1 update.
then reattempt the update.
Bricked/useless iPhones Some users have reported nonoperational iPhones after the update.
One iPhone Atlas reader writes:
“Hey, i just connected my iPhone 3g to get the update v2.1. It forced a recovery mode on my phone which has made my phone completely useless, iTunes 8 will only download the file, for some reason it will not install it for me, and i cannot find the root folder in which the update file was saved. it just keeps downloading over and over.”
Another reader writes:
“After the downoad my phone is useless. Can’t receive nor dial any calls.”
If you are experiencing a similar issue, try restoring your phone via this process. Hold the Sleep/Wake and Home until the iPhone resets. When the Apple logo appears release Sleep/Wake, but do not release Home until you see the prompt to connect the iPhone to iTunes. You then have to restore the iPhone’s firmware, all your settings, all your media, and all your Apps. During this process you are offered an attempt to recover your iPhone from a backup. Unfortunately, backups are just as bug ridden and very unreliable. Users may encounter an error message indicating that a previously valid backup is corrupt.
Genius on iPhone not working Some users have reported that genius on the iPhone is not working. One iPhone Atlas reader writes:
“My genius doesn’t seem to be working. It says there are not enough related songs to create a genus playlist.”
EDGE signal worse Some users have reported that while 3G connectivity is significantly better after the update, EDGE connectivity has taken a nosedive.
One user writes:
“I updated my phone at work today and the 3G Signal at my desk went from 1 to 4 bars. I used the phone all day without any troubles. Then I came home….. I live just outside of town and never get 3G at my house but always have full or 4 bars of edge signal. I get no service at all now. Im sitting at my house waiting for the download to finish to try to restore it again to see what happens but I have no service at all at my house now. And I never had any trouble getting 4 bars or more of edge before.”
Battery draning more quickly Some users have reported poorer battery life after the update after updating to 2.1.
One reader writes:
- “My battery now drains much quicker. after 10 - 20 minutes of a full charge and not doing anything on my 3G the battery bar shows 3/4 full.
- Another adds:
- “Anyone experience horrible battery life after update. It is in the red after 2hr 45 mins of usage and 6 hours of standby. Is something wrong with my phone. “
Try these fixes for short battery life.
App crashing Some users are reporting continued or recurring application crashes. One reader writes:
“I got an error in itunes the first time I tried installing the new 2.1 firmware update. So I restarted itunes and my iPhone and everything seemed alright, but after everything was completed, all my apps started to crash on start up like how it was when I had firmware 2.0.1.”
This issue may be solved by simply deleting all applications from the iPhone (via a restore process, if desired), then re-downloading all applications through the iTunes store on a desktop computer instead of though the AppStore on the iPhone itself.
Positive reports This reader’s report nicely sums up the major improvements in this update while encapsulating the general lament regarding what many see as still-missing features:
“I’ve only been using it for about an hour or so but so far the improvments are VERY noticeable. From actually being able to view my contacts in under 10 seconds after I enter the contact option to the “wowable” 5 bar 3g signal strength in my apartment. Finally jobs delivers on what he promises. Now if only this darn thing could copy/cut/paste, not to mention the turn by turn GPS, not to mention the vanishing act of the Nike+ on the iPhone. Well I guess I’m one of the 8 trillion people who had their hopes up too high wishing for an early Christmas but I guess I’ll get over it for now seeing as though my revolutionary device finally has shown the ability to at least be “stable” enough to not drop 13 calls in an hour. WooHoo!! I guess.”
More specific reports:
More bars, faster data “Just awesome. I don’t know what apple did but with this update I get at least a few bars where previously I didn’t receive any. This should have been the original 2.0. Maybe they can start working on new features instead of fixing basic phone functions.
“I’ve gone from a 0-3 3G bar average to a 4-5 3G average. I don’t understand what they could have done to make that big a difference, but it’s appreciable for me.”
Enhanced stability (fewer crashes) “Safari has not yet (?) crashed, and seems more stable but time will tell, and all third party apps working!
Faster application performance (Contacts, etc.) “Just updated & surprise surprise everything is working really well. Only been upgraded for about an hour but texting and opening programmes etc is working much quicker. Great. Let’s see if any calls drop tomorrow. Well done Apple.”
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