I could argue that you could’ve achieved the same result with another OTA install but interestingly enough, you can only do OTA once. So, it’s just a personal experience and not really a confirmation of anything.
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iOS 26.1 RC ― Bug Fixes, Changes, and Improvements
- Thread starter Banglazed
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If you wanted to go to the trouble you could do a Restore from a mac which will download and re-install the current release, and then use a backup restore to get your data back. Or just wait for the next release and let it install OTA which should bring everything back, which is what I would do if I had ever run into such an issue. Patience is a wonderful, but difficult, virtue. I can’t remember if I’ve ever done an IPSW, I would assume most haven’t.
Not sure why there is so much debate on this… OTA is by far the most utilized method of updating an iOS device, BUT there are those who swear by updating via IPSW (I am among the later group.) Please correct me if I am wrong here, but an OTA update applies the deltas, correct? Just the files that have changed between the current and new build? But the IPSW overwrites all files (save data and 3rd party apps (which is why you should check for app updates after installing a new OS build) That about right?
Having said that, I wouldn’t begrudge anyone of their choice between the 2 methods other than to say, if I was constantly having major issues using one particular method (due in part to underlying PC/laptop OS not being a Mac), and the manufacturer was seemingly non responsive to my concerns/complaints/issues, I would probably make some changes.
I believe you are correct, which is why doing a restore from your mac re-installs the complete software release, but that then requires a backup to be restored to bring back your data. I went through all that maybe 15 or more years ago for an issue that I thought would be remedied. It wasn’t, and the next software release fixed it. Haven’t thought about doing that since. Virtually every issue I’ve had on any ios device, even those that I could find no other mention of, was eventually fixed in some subsequent release. I’m hoping that’s going to be the case now.
I can't believe this release candidate thread has gotten so much mileage on the OTA vs. IPSW. The code should be verified before installing, usually via an MD5 checksum. The install should be 100% identical. The errors with install come from the scripts that run to update or migrate settings with either method. They can go wrong and a second pass will sometimes fix that. OTA is 1 pass only, IPSW you can do it again.
Most people never have an issue after one pass with either method. We as a group run beta software, which will occasionally have issues with those scripts. Once this happens, those issues can persist between releases. If you don't want that risk, don't run beta software. That's likely where most of your issues come from.
LLMs take tremendous power to train the models. Apple installs trained models which are a lot more lightweight to run. YMMV, but Apple Intelligence Siri uses very little. Image Playground and other apps use more.
I'm not having huge issues (other than a widget to home screen stutter) and from what I can tell most people aren't. But I suspect your hot and glitches/frame drops are related. You likely have a runaway process that's killing your phone. Often the hard reboot will fix it.
Personally I love the redesign. The glass is a bit of a gimmick, but the context menus and iPad multitasking are amazing. There's a lot to love other than clear icons and buttons, which honestly started with iOS 18 and the icon tinting.
I love that the Phone app is on every device now, and I have grown to love the combined lists there. Safari on the bottom is nice, I just wish you could search tabs without having to go to the top of all of them.
That’s exactly what it was intended to be
If another OTA installation would have been possible, I‘d probably have tried that before doing an IPSW install. But since it isn’t…😉
No one is currently able to answer this. We don’t know 26.2 now.
Update to 26.1 today, it’s much more polished than 26.0.
I’m pretty satisfied with this version. Had beta 4 on my phone and currently the RC.
Having a crazy bug where I have to constantly approve locations for maps, all my apps keep signing me out and weather constantly ask location too. Is anyone else having this?
I have no idea why y’all are so damn Catholic about OTA vs IPSW. Anecdotes, as I’ve read through the forum, tend to lean more “I don’t see ___ bugs” with IPSW (myself included) but good goddamn who cares? Why are y’all’s blood pressure up so much about it? WHO cares if another person either plugs their phone in or taps a button across the country? JeeeeSUS, go touch grass.
That said, this RC has been a glass of water in hell following 26.0.1. I think these cosmetic bugs can be fixed later, and while Liquid Glass is a (to me, very cool) gimmick, some folks are missing the real piece of this—a more dynamic UI which moves to the context of the moment. In a way, it’s a bit of skeuomorphic return but in motion instead. I like that UI elements like buttons move in a way that can deliver a message without needing to say anything. It could have been done with the “flat” iOS 7 art style, but that was getting stale and sometimes it takes some flash and bang to get folks on board with new methods of interaction.
That said, this RC has been a glass of water in hell following 26.0.1. I think these cosmetic bugs can be fixed later, and while Liquid Glass is a (to me, very cool) gimmick, some folks are missing the real piece of this—a more dynamic UI which moves to the context of the moment. In a way, it’s a bit of skeuomorphic return but in motion instead. I like that UI elements like buttons move in a way that can deliver a message without needing to say anything. It could have been done with the “flat” iOS 7 art style, but that was getting stale and sometimes it takes some flash and bang to get folks on board with new methods of interaction.
Anyone having problems with Apple Maps ?
Absolutely unbearable on long drives , had to go back to basic paper maps as Apple Maps just says nothing or says it too late .
Paper maps? 🤷🏻♂️ You know that there are many other reliable navigation apps around, both free and paid, just check the AppStore.
I hope for a new build today which fixes the stuttering when swiping to the app library
I’m just hoping for improved stability and performance on 6Ghz wifi 7 and Apple CarPlay connectivity on iPhone 17 Pro Max
I would hope so also
26.1 RC ok for me , occasionally frames drop , phone gets hot etc so a new build would be appreciated.
Then I guess it’s onto the 26.2 beta train
Bro chill. It’s a never-ending debate so there’s no need to lose your mind over it. Calm down and carry on.
Still on iOS 18 and never do an version iOS upgrade before the x.1 release...however, I'm waffling on this one; it's almost worth it to FINALLY be able to disable swipe for camera from the lock screen.
Still thinking about waiting for 26.2...or just staying with iOS 18 indefinitely.
Hmmm...
Still thinking about waiting for 26.2...or just staying with iOS 18 indefinitely.
Hmmm...
Im in same boat. I cant stand the swipe for camera.
We are in 2025 so almost everything is done over the air without cables, downloads, install, update, upgrade, charging, carplay etc
So? Who cares?
I still charge with a cable, use carplay with a cable, and sometimes update with a cable. I still use ethernet on my MacBook, as well.