14 DAY TRIAL // Apple has started sending out notices that iOS 8.0.2 is out and ready to be downloaded and installed. The primary target is the iPhone 6 user base, however the incremental update is also available for iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPhone 5s, and iPad customers.
The company has issued a brief and apologetic statement, saying, “iOS 8.0.2 is now available for users, it fixes an issue that affected iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users who downloaded iOS 8.0.1, and includes improvements and bug fixes originally in iOS 8.0.1. We apologize for inconveniencing the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users who were impacted by the bug in iOS 8.0.1.”
Fixes old and new
iOS 8.0.1 was deployed earlier this week to address some problems with HealthKit, keyboards, photo access, and more. With the release of that update, Apple actually caused more harm, as the new software crippled iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus handsets.
About 40,000 users reported issues with the Touch ID fingerprint scanning utility, as well as some problems with cellular reception.
The company quickly retracted the software (in less than two hours from its launch) and released a downgrade guide for customers in distress. It also promised to right this wrong with a fresh software update that would be delivered shortly.
As such, iOS 8.0.2 is now available featuring not only the previously planned fixes, but also some new ones.
According to the documentation, the update “fixes an issue in iOS 8.0.1 that impacted cellular network connectivity and Touch ID on iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus,” allows HealthKit apps to be made available on the App Store, fixes 3rd-party keyboard selection when entering a passcode, and addresses a problem with some apps not being able to access photos from the Photo Library.
iOS 8.0.2 further improves Reachability on the latest iPhone models, reduces unexpected cellular data usage, improves support of Ask To Buy for Family Sharing for In-App Purchases, and fixes a bunch of other issues involving ringtones, and photo and video uploads from Safari.
Compatible devices include iPhone 4s or later, iPad 2 or later, iPad mini or later, and iPod touch 5th generation.
Ongoing problems for some
Unfortunately, iOS 8.0.2 seems to have required more work as customers in Australia are still reporting issues with the update.
Redditor Onoj88 writes, “DO NOT INSTALL THIS UPDATE! I just updated to 8.0.2 and my touch ID is now completely broken! Phone will no longer unlock using my fingerprint. When I go to add a new finger i get a "Touch ID Failed" message. Running a 128GB iPhone 6 plus. Very disappointed....”
“Upon hard reset I am now getting ‘No service.’ Did they change this at all? When i check for updates it says I am running 8.0.2 but it seems to have all the issues of 1?”
Others are echoing this user’s experience, but the problems seem to be far less widespread this time.