Each new version of iOS comes with a bunch of errors and issues, some bigger than others and iOS 14 it is no different. Apple will fix many of these issues with subsequent software updates, but it’s helpful to know if the issues you see on your phone are known bugs in iOS 14 – and to learn about some solutions and fixes you can try.
Troubleshooting is not always an exact science, so keep in mind that it may take some detective work to find out what’s going on with your own iPhone or iPad. It is possible that something other than iOS 14 it’s to blame for the problems you face, but we should be able to help you figure it out one way or another.
Short battery life
iOS 14 has caused battery drain problems for many users, and iPhones would never have lasted, with Apple’s latest mobile operating system installed. It was mentioned in connection with each iOS 14 version, but it seems that iOS 14.2 release in particular caused battery life.
Battery life is not specifically mentioned in the release notes for iOS 14.3 and it seems that the problem remains – at least for some users – disabling large-scale complaints on social media. Apple has not yet officially acknowledged anything.
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But the company did provide technical assistance earlier in the iOS 14 launch cycle for those with iPhone and Apple Watch, recommending a full backup and reset (instructions here and here) of both devices to solve the problems related to the battery consumption. Unfortunately, out of the ordinary battery saving tricks, a complete reset is almost all you can try while waiting for a software update to (hopefully) fix the problem.
No notification
One of the most common (and frustrating) issues reported by iPhone owners running iOS 14 is that the Messages app does not display notifications as it should be. Alerts do not appear on the lock screen, and red badges do not appear on the application icon in some cases, which adds to a separate issue that has caused SMS delays.
This is an error that Apple acknowledged and claimed to have fixed with iOS 14.3 update, according to the notes of the communiqué. If you have noticed that this is happening on your device, then the first troubleshooting step to try is to upgrade to OS 14.3.
If you’re still not receiving message alerts as you should be, then there’s no specific solution to try. basic remedies: Check the notification settings again, restart the handset, and if nothing else works, reset it and starting again from scratch (making sure it is completely copied).
Choosing new default applications
iOS 14 has quietly introduced the ability to set applications other than Apple Mail and Apple Safari as the default email client and web browser, respectively – the only problem is that iOS would quickly forget what alternatives you have selected and will return to Apple by default after a restart.
This is an issue that Apple has addressed and says it is fixed, according to the instructions iOS 14.0.1 update which was pushed out not long after iOS 14. If you haven’t upgraded to the latest version of iOS for any reason, then this should be enough for your default email and web options to stick.
If you’re still not sure how to set up this new feature, you need to go to Settings and then choose the email application or web browser of your choice from the long list of applications. Then you should see a Default email application or a Default browser application option, which you can use for the chosen application to be the default choice.
Loss of wifi connections
WiFi and cellular connection issues always come with a new iOS version, and iOS 14 was no different – there must be something about applying a new software layer that confuses your phone (or the networks it connects to), often resulting low or unstable connections.
In the case of iOS 14, one of the most reported issues was the issues with abandoned wifi connections. According to many users, iPhones tend to lose their wireless internet connections and then refuse to reconnect, causing problems for almost anything you might want to do on a smartphone.
This is an error for which Apple has identified and implemented a solution – it should have been launched on the phone with iOS 14.0.1, which “fixes an issue that could prevent the iPhone from connecting to Wi-Fi networks,” according to the release notes. If you still have problems after the upgrade, you will need to try standard troubleshooting techniques for testing solve an internet connection problem.
Application specific issues
There are always one or two apps that don’t work properly with a new iOS version: developers have to work hard for their software to work with Apple’s updated operating system, and sometimes bugs slip through the cracks. If this happens to you, watch out for application updates – or even ask the developers directly about them.
YouTube is an example of iOS 14: Picture-in-Picture mode didn’t work, then it worked, then it didn’t work again. At the time of writing, it will only work properly if you are a YouTube Premium subscriber (an earlier solution to run YouTube in Safari has since been blocked).
It’s the same with the 4K playback in the YouTube app: It will only work if you’re a paying subscriber. Other apps on your phone may have similar restrictions, so if you’re having problems or something isn’t working in a particular app, focus your troubleshooting efforts on that app.
Other problems
There are probably more issues than the ones we addressed above, but these are the ones that have been reported the most. It’s worth keeping an eye on Apple iOS 14 official updates page, because the company will list the bug fixes applied to iOS, as well as the new features that are added.
Issues that have already been resolved since the first version of iOS 14 include issues with sending emails, displaying widgets, using family sharing, receiving incoming calls, wireless charging, camera viewfinder, headphone audio levels, an unresponsive lock screen and more, so if you’re having trouble with any of the above, upgrade to the latest version if iOS 14 is worth a shot.
If you encounter an issue that we haven’t addressed here, then some research on the web should bring matches to anyone else who has the same difficulties (try to be as specific as possible in your search). Good starting points are Apple subredditing on Reddit and iPhone discussion forums on the Apple website. Or tell us your problem below – maybe bold Gizmodo readers can help you solve it.