The next major update for iPhone is here. It brings with it Home screen widgets and a new app library, more choices for default apps, and more. You can read more about the new features in our review of iOS 14. While you may be so excited to update your iPhone, there are some reasons why some people should actually wait just a little bit longer.
Here are a few things to consider before you hit that install button.
Which device do you currently use?
With every new iOS update, Apple adds some under-the-hood changes that can either improve the performance of older iPhones (like better battery life) or possibly slow down system operations, which can be very frustrating if you just want your iPhone to work.
iOS 14 is supported on devices dating all the way back to 2015 with the iPhone 6s. You may find that an older iPhone struggles with the latest technology software. I've been testing iOS 14 in beta on my first-generation iPhone SE, however, and have not seen any significant issues.
These are the iPhone devices that work with iOS 14:
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XR
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 7 Plus
- iPhone 7
- iPhone 6s Plus
- iPhone 6s
- iPhone SE (1st Generation)
- iPhone SE (2nd Generation)
- iPod Touch (7th Generation)
Obviously, your mileage will vary depending on an assortment of factors; however, if you're using a much older device, keep in mind that installing an update usually takes a lot of processing power and battery at the beginning. Make sure you don't absolutely need your iPhone to do any heavy lifting while you're installing an update. If your iPhone is not on this list, maybe it's time to buy a new iPhone.
What apps do you currently use?
Though many developers already have updates for iOS 14 already available (check out your app update section in the App Store and see how long that list is), there are still going to be a lot more that haven't made the jump yet. If you have any must-use apps on your iPhone, check to see if there is an update for iOS 14.
If there isn't an update available yet, that doesn't mean the app won't work, however. Apple isn't putting any major restrictions on apps this year, so compatibility should still be the same. Sometimes, an iOS update borks an app, though. It just happens. My suggestion is, for any apps that you can't live without, do a quick hashtag search on Twitter to see if anyone is talking about it not working on iOS 14. You can also contact the developer directly to confirm there isn't an issue.
When in doubt, postpone updating for a few days to make sure your workflow isn't going to be disrupted.
Can you handle some minor bugs?
With every major software update comes a few bugs and glitches that need to be worked out. Most of the time, it's a small problem that is fixed with an incremental update, but even the smallest of bugs could affect your workflow. So far this year, the only major bug is that rebooting your iPhone will reset your default browser and mail app back to its original settings.
Consider your security
While Apple regularly pushes out security updates for older iPhone models and operating systems, the best way to protect yourself against an exploit is to be running the latest version of iOS.
These days, hackers are constantly trying to break into Apple's software, but Apple is also constantly fixing holes in security. The best way to ensure that your iPhone is as secure as possible is to always update your software.
Though we recommend that it may be better to postpone updating for a few days, it is, for this reason, we strongly recommend that, if your iPhone is compatible, you should definitely update your iPhone to the latest software possible.
Are you going to upgrade to the new version of iOS?
Let us know by commenting down below!
