Existing users, 
iPhone OS 2.1: Mostly Positive but Major Problems Reported
Posted 12 September 2008 @ 4pm in News, Troubleshooting
Most users are reporting dramatically enhanced performance, better signal and battery life, and greater stability after installing iPhone OS 2.1. Some users are, however, experiencing significant issues.
Will not install — fix Some users have problems installing iPhone OS 2.1, with iTunes delivering a cryptic error message during the process, after the “Update” button is pressed.
If you are experiencing a similar issue, try downloading one the standalone firmware update files (appropriate for your iPhone)
Next, hold the option key under Mac OS X or the Shift key under Windows while clicking the “Restore” button, then select the downloaded file.
Failing that, try deleting an re-downloading it. Either use the standalone download link and instructions in yesterday’s article, or navigate to on of the following directories:
- under Mac OS X: ~/Library/iTunes/iPhone Software Updates
- under Windows XP: C:/documents and settings/[yourusername]/Application Data/Apple Computer/iTunes/iPhone Software Updates
- under Windows Vista: C:/users/[yourusername]/AppData/Roaming/Apple Computer/iTunes/iPhone Software Updates and delete the 2.0.1 update.
then reattempt the update.
Bricked/useless iPhones Some users have reported nonoperational iPhones after the update.
One iPhone Atlas reader writes:
“Hey, i just connected my iPhone 3g to get the update v2.1. It forced a recovery mode on my phone which has made my phone completely useless, iTunes 8 will only download the file, for some reason it will not install it for me, and i cannot find the root folder in which the update file was saved. it just keeps downloading over and over.”
Another reader writes:
“After the downoad my phone is useless. Can’t receive nor dial any calls.”
If you are experiencing a similar issue, try restoring your phone via this process. Hold the Sleep/Wake and Home until the iPhone resets. When the Apple logo appears release Sleep/Wake, but do not release Home until you see the prompt to connect the iPhone to iTunes. You then have to restore the iPhone’s firmware, all your settings, all your media, and all your Apps. During this process you are offered an attempt to recover your iPhone from a backup. Unfortunately, backups are just as bug ridden and very unreliable. Users may encounter an error message indicating that a previously valid backup is corrupt.
Genius on iPhone not working Some users have reported that genius on the iPhone is not working. One iPhone Atlas reader writes:
“My genius doesn’t seem to be working. It says there are not enough related songs to create a genus playlist.”
EDGE signal worse Some users have reported that while 3G connectivity is significantly better after the update, EDGE connectivity has taken a nosedive.
One user writes:
“I updated my phone at work today and the 3G Signal at my desk went from 1 to 4 bars. I used the phone all day without any troubles. Then I came home….. I live just outside of town and never get 3G at my house but always have full or 4 bars of edge signal. I get no service at all now. Im sitting at my house waiting for the download to finish to try to restore it again to see what happens but I have no service at all at my house now. And I never had any trouble getting 4 bars or more of edge before.”
Battery draning more quickly Some users have reported poorer battery life after the update after updating to 2.1.
One reader writes:
- “My battery now drains much quicker. after 10 - 20 minutes of a full charge and not doing anything on my 3G the battery bar shows 3/4 full.
- Another adds:
- “Anyone experience horrible battery life after update. It is in the red after 2hr 45 mins of usage and 6 hours of standby. Is something wrong with my phone. “
Try these fixes for short battery life.
App crashing Some users are reporting continued or recurring application crashes. One reader writes:
“I got an error in itunes the first time I tried installing the new 2.1 firmware update. So I restarted itunes and my iPhone and everything seemed alright, but after everything was completed, all my apps started to crash on start up like how it was when I had firmware 2.0.1.”
This issue may be solved by simply deleting all applications from the iPhone (via a restore process, if desired), then re-downloading all applications through the iTunes store on a desktop computer instead of though the AppStore on the iPhone itself.
Positive reports This reader’s report nicely sums up the major improvements in this update while encapsulating the general lament regarding what many see as still-missing features:
“I’ve only been using it for about an hour or so but so far the improvments are VERY noticeable. From actually being able to view my contacts in under 10 seconds after I enter the contact option to the “wowable” 5 bar 3g signal strength in my apartment. Finally jobs delivers on what he promises. Now if only this darn thing could copy/cut/paste, not to mention the turn by turn GPS, not to mention the vanishing act of the Nike+ on the iPhone. Well I guess I’m one of the 8 trillion people who had their hopes up too high wishing for an early Christmas but I guess I’ll get over it for now seeing as though my revolutionary device finally has shown the ability to at least be “stable” enough to not drop 13 calls in an hour. WooHoo!! I guess.”
More specific reports:
More bars, faster data “Just awesome. I don’t know what apple did but with this update I get at least a few bars where previously I didn’t receive any. This should have been the original 2.0. Maybe they can start working on new features instead of fixing basic phone functions.
“I’ve gone from a 0-3 3G bar average to a 4-5 3G average. I don’t understand what they could have done to make that big a difference, but it’s appreciable for me.”
Enhanced stability (fewer crashes) “Safari has not yet (?) crashed, and seems more stable but time will tell, and all third party apps working!
Faster application performance (Contacts, etc.) “Just updated & surprise surprise everything is working really well. Only been upgraded for about an hour but texting and opening programmes etc is working much quicker. Great. Let’s see if any calls drop tomorrow. Well done Apple.”
Feedback? http://www.iphoneatlas.com/contact.
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20 Comments
Posted by sriggins
12 September 2008 @ 5pm
My 2G call reception is much better. 1-3 bars where I used to be 0-1 bar, and was able to make a 6 min call, whereas I was dropping every 2-3 mins on 2.0.2
Posted by shaneblyth
12 September 2008 @ 6pm
I have to wait for activation crack for me to install this
I probably should of avoided iTunes 8 I suppose
Posted by shaneblyth
12 September 2008 @ 10pm
just updated my first gen iphine which was pwned 2.02 and now the phone is NO LONGER ACTIVATED
Posted by king avery
12 September 2008 @ 10pm
“My genius doesn’t seem to be working. It says there are not enough related songs to create a genus playlist.”
- just wait a couple of weeks, choose update genius in itunes and try again.
Genius is still in its infancy and needs to collect large amounts of iTunes data from many users to perform its tricks.
Posted by daniel4510_dotmac
12 September 2008 @ 11pm
I just plain gave up. It cost me a small fortune, but I went with the LG Dare and Verizon and bought the new iPod Touch, which I received yesterday. Not that I like carrying around two units, but they compliment each other nicely. I can actually HEAR people on my Dare, and they can hear me. No more dropped calls. After updating to 2.0 on my original iPhone, I lost the ability to connect to wifi ANYWHERE. My iPod Touch finds hotspots that my iPhone never new existed, even when it was working properly. Verizon’s EVDO is at least comparable to wifi access when there is none. I understand Apple and Verizon tried to make an agreement that neither could agree upon and I suspect Apple was being the most stubborn of the two. If they had conceded, they would have sold twice as many units hands down.
Posted by peterpayne
13 September 2008 @ 7am
Worked GREAT for me. No problems at all, other than a couple of apps needing their info entered again, and that might not have been related to this. Syncing now takes 30 seconds instead of 2 hours — MUHAHAHA.
Posted by cfsdoriga
13 September 2008 @ 8am
I followed your instruction “Will not install — fix” but was not able to install the update. I also did an attempt with the AV disabled, but it does not work either. Please help!!!
Posted by wolfgram--2008
13 September 2008 @ 9am
PROBLEM with INCOMING CALLS. If I am using another application, such as SMS, and a call comes in my phone just freezes-up with a translucent white spinner in the center of the screen. No ringing, no visual notification, just a freeze. Then, after the call goes to voicemail, it brings up the locked screen. When I unlock it I inevitably have a missed call and sometimes a voicemail already! This has happened more than 6 times since v2.1, and after resets as well. Anyone else notice this??
Posted by fuzzbot
13 September 2008 @ 11am
This site may help
http://ifundera.wordpress.com/2008/09/12/iphone-21-update-tips-to-avoid-error-message-19/
Posted by cfsdoriga
13 September 2008 @ 3pm
This is the error message: iphone update restore error (-30)
Posted by manualfunky
13 September 2008 @ 4pm
3g coverage is better, still gettting dropped calls from international calls tho.
one funny thing is that my 3g iphone was jailbroken before the update and i had used “make it mine” to change the carrier logo and clock to different things i.e. my name, and a smart arse remark…
after installing the new firmware, of course the phone is no longer jailbroken but, the carrier logo and clock have not reverted back to normal!
phone is much faster and reliable and even battery life has improved somewhat as i was charging daily and still have 80% + left after a ful day, with 3g on.
Posted by cfsdoriga
14 September 2008 @ 9am
And finally it worked. I was able to pursue the update to OS 2.1.
I reinstalled iTunes 8 a couple of time, but it failed the update to OS 2.1.
I disabled the AV and I can complete the update (A couple of time before this successful update I tried to pursue the update with the AV off and it didn’t work, who knows!!! :) )
Posted by njstuff
14 September 2008 @ 2pm
No problems yet.
Posted by dcarns
14 September 2008 @ 5pm
I have been running 2.1 since Friday night. My battery life has increased tremendously - my iPhone used to keep a charge for about 8 hours of “normal” use - now I have gone over 24 hours!! Bravo Apple.
Posted by titijoanne
15 September 2008 @ 8am
before the upgrade to 2.1 my 3g iphone used to find my location with the GPS with no problems… ever since this upgrade the GPS is unable to locate me when is on the 3g network… if I change it to Edge then is able to find me… don’t understand this… its very inconvenient…
Is there a way to correct this problem? I don’t want to be changing from 3g to Edge every time I need to use the GPS.
Please let me know if you hear about a fix on this …
Posted by jfoss_dotmac
15 September 2008 @ 9am
Update installed easily. The problem appears that when I go to Mail the app goes to the mail screen with no emails showing - waits a few seconds - then drops back to home screen. I tried a hard rest - no improvement. I thought I might delete the account and then add it again, but when I go to Settings the to Mail… it again drops back to the home screen. Any thoughts or fixes out there?
Joe
Posted by drgmac
15 September 2008 @ 10am
My 3g iphone was also rendered useless after the 2.1 update, booked a session with a mac genius
in the Sheffield store, explained everything that had gone wrong, he swapped my phone.
I suggest people take their phones to their nearest Mac Store!
Posted by Loren Finkelstein
16 September 2008 @ 11am
My 3G upgrade to 2.1 was perfect. It went smoothly, my backups are super fast and now my battery easily lasts all day long.
Posted by jeremybe1201
17 September 2008 @ 7am
Has anyone had any problems with the sound quality on the voicemail messages? Since I updated, all saved and new voicemail messages sound like they are in a tin can. This is my 3rd new iPhone within 7 days and they all had a similar issue when I upgraded to 2.0.1.
Posted by madlogic2000
18 September 2008 @ 9am
Jfoss_Dotmac…I’m having the same issue you are, but with my SMS screen. I’ve tried soft resets, hard resets and am going to try a total restore tonight after I back up my contacts/content.
I’m not sure if you know what caused yours or not but I was on the 2.0 firmware and was downloading an app. As the app was installing, I received a text message. I can’t rememeber if I clicked Close/Reply or the Home button at that point, but whatever I clicked made the phone go dark and reboot. After it rebooted (just as you describe with your mail screen), I go into my SMS screen (which takes about 30 seconds to come up), and when it comes up it’s totally blank and non-responsive…after about 10-15 seconds of that, it drops me back to the Home screen.
I upgraded to the 2.1 firmware thinking maybe that would resolve the problem, but it is persisting.