News
Not all smooth sailing: Major iOS bugs in recent years
Key Points:
- iOS 13 had major bugs affecting data and functionality.
- Display issues plagued iPhone 12 and 14 models.
- Security concerns and user annoyances have recently emerged.
iPhones are often praised for their reliable iOS software. However, despite its reputation for stability, iOS has had its fair share of problems. As we approach the launch of iPhone 16 and iOS 18, it’s worth reviewing some significant bugs from recent updates to remember that new updates aren’t always flawless.
iOS 13 Troubles
iOS 13 was infamous for its bugs. The initial release, iOS 13.0, was so problematic that Apple skipped it, launching iOS 13.1 instead. One notable bug drained users’ mobile data, even when no apps were in use. This problem was linked to a feature called “Uninstalled Apps,” which was supposed to track data usage by deleted apps but malfunctioned. Other issues included ringtones not working and random call hang-ups, making iOS 13 a rough experience for many users.
Display Issues
The iPhone 12 series, Apple’s first 5G-capable models, faced screen problems, including green and gray patches at lower brightness. This issue persisted despite earlier reports on the iPhone 11 Pro Max. Apple eventually released a software update to fix this. The iPhone 14 Pro also had its share of display problems, with horizontal lines appearing when the device was powered on or unlocked. Apple admitted this was a software glitch and addressed it with a subsequent update.
eSIM Problems and Alarms
The iPhone 14 series introduced eSIMs in the US, which came with its own set of issues. Users encountered a “SIM Not Supported” error, leading to device freezes. While Apple quickly addressed this bug, its cause remained unclear. More recently, iPhones had issues with alarms not ringing due to the “Attention Aware” feature, which mistakenly thought users were awake, leading to missed wake-up times.
Security Concerns
Not all bugs are just annoying; some can pose security risks. An iOS 15 Safari update exposed users’ browsing activities and personal information without any specific user action. Additionally, many iPhone users reported frequent, unexplained prompts to enter their Apple ID password, causing confusion and alarm.
Personal Experience
Over the past year, I’ve encountered several iOS bugs myself. Notifications sometimes fail to alert me, and AirDrop works inconsistently. These issues have led to frustrations and jokes among friends about Apple’s “it just works” motto. With iOS 18 on the horizon, including the new Apple Intelligence feature, we hope for fewer disruptive bugs.
In summary, iOS isn’t without its problems, and bugs seem to be more frequent lately. As Apple continues to innovate, it remains to be seen whether these issues will affect the iPhone’s appeal compared to other options like Android.