Should I update my iPhone to the latest version of iOS?
The latest version of iOS is available to download now. But in the wake of Apples admission that it uses software updates to deliberately slow down older iPhones, many users are thinking twice about downloading it. Read on and well answer all your frequently asked questions about updating your iPhone. At the time of writing, the latest Apple software update is iOS 11.2.2. Assuming youre already on a version of iOS 11, this wont bring you any spectacular new features. But it should to help fix a few of the bugs that blighted iOS 11. Unfortunately, it wont restore battery life for those older iPhones hampered by the latest update. But according to Apple, iOS 11.2.2 provides a security update and is recommended for all users. This is because the update is designed to mitigate the effects of Meltdown and Spectre, the security flaws that can cause problems for iPhone users. While it sadly wont fix the issues completely, it will help to protect your iPhone from malware. Apple has said that forthcoming iOS 11 updates will do more to address users concerns, but as this bug is a developing issue, it will likely take Apple engineers a while to get on top of the problem. So, if youve already downloaded iOS 11, updating to iOS 11.2.2 is a pretty sensible move. However, if youve got an older iPhone and youre still on iOS 10, the update might slow your phone down. That depends how old your phone is and what iOS youre currently on. Apple has admitted that it deliberately uses iOS updates to slow down older iPhones in an attempt to keep the devices alive for longer. This has had the unfortunate side effect of causing serious battery issues for users with an iPhone 6, 6s or 7. Luckily, help is at-hand. In an attempt to appease disgruntled customers, Apple has started a battery replacement programme to replace slow batteries for a fraction of the normal cost. To avoid this issue altogether though, it might be best to avoid updating to iOS 11 unless you have an iPhone 8 or iPhone X. Again it depends what phone you have and what version of iOS youre currently using. Generally, the battery issues have been reported on iPhone 7 and models that came out before it. So if you have an iPhone 8 or iPhone X, the update wont affect your battery life. But if your iPhone is more than a year old, iOS 11 will most likely cause your battery life to drain much quicker than it did on iOS 10. Apples cheap battery replacements are available right now. All you need to do is make an appointment with an Apple Genius for a battery replacement and theyll do it for you in store. Itll cost you 25, which is significantly cheaper than the 79 they normally charge for a new battery. To find out more, read our guide on the iPhone battery replacement programme. As a rule of thumb, your iPhone and your main apps should still work fine, even if you dont do the update. If you do find your apps slowing, though, try upgrading to the latest version of iOS to see if that sorts the problem. Conversely, updating your iPhone to the latest iOS could cause your apps to stop working. If that happens, you might have to update your apps too. Youll be able to check this in Settings. If a new update is ready, theres no need to rush to download it. In fact, while getting your hands on any shiny new features iOS has to offer seems tempting, it can sometimes pay to hold fire. Many early adopters find that they experience bugs and other issues when they first download the latest software update. And Apple will often roll out subsequent updates that include fixes to the bugs in the previous software upgrade. To be on the safe side, it's generally a good idea to wait and see how other users are finding the software before you decide to upgrade. Unfortunately, not at the moment. But there is talk of Apple providing a way for its customers to revert to an older version of iOS. So there may be a way back in the future for users harking back to the good old days of iOS 10. For now though, if you have done the update and are now finding that your battery can barely make it through a five-minute phone call without giving up, try the iPhone battery replacement programme.