Apple Tells iPhone 6 Users To Downgrade To iOS 8 After Bungled Update

Apple has apologised provided instructions on how to re-install iOS 8 to iPhone 6 and 6 Plus users who downloaded a botched update of the operating system.

iOS 8 was rolled out to compatible iPhone and iPhone devices last week, but the Health app was pulled from the update at the last minute because of a bug in the HealthKit framework. iOS 8.0.1 addressed this problem, along with other improvements such as better support for third party keyboards, but introduced a host of new issues instead.

The most significant of these have been the inability to connect to a cellular network or use the Touch ID fingerprint sensor.

iOS 8.0.1 problems

The update is not believed to have negatively impacted any older iPhone devices, such as the iPhone 5S and 5C, but some have already asked, presumably tongue-in-cheek, for the ability to downgrade to iOS 7, such is their discontent with iOS 8.

• “We have a workaround for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users who lost cellular service and Touch ID functionality today after updating to iOS 8.0.1. Affected users can reinstall iOS 8 through iTunes,” the company told TechWeekEurope. “We apologize for the great inconvenience experienced by users, and are working around the clock to prepare iOS 8.0.2 with a fix for the issue, and will release it as soon as it is ready in the next few days.”

To reinstall iOS 8, users should make sure they have the latest version of iTunes and will need to back up their device on their Mac or PC because iCloud backups will not restore to an earlier version of iOS.

The ongoing issues with iOS 8 are a blow to Apple, which has long touted the health and fitness versions of both the iPhone 6 and Apple Watch, and hopes to make a splash in the mobile payments market with Apple Pay, which is set to launch later this year.

It’s also a double whammy for iPhone 6 Plus users who are also having to deal with the fact their new devices are apparently susceptible to bending if carried in a trouser pocket.

Apple did not comment on this particular issue, but if true, it would be the biggest iPhone hardware fault since the iPhone 4, which had antenna issues and caused Apple to offer free cases to users affected by the issue in 2010.

What do you know about the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and Apple Watch?