Apple 15.2.1 is here, and it’s shaping up to be a surprisingly big upgrade for iPhone owners everywhere. Why? Because it looks like the version that will finally put the iOS 15 dumpster fire launch behind it. Something the larger versions failed to do. Here’s all you need to know.
Tip: bookmark this page as I will update it if/when new issues are found. I will deliver my final verdict in a week.
Who is it for?
Apple iOS 15.2.1 is immediately available for all iOS 14 compatible devices, i.e. iPhone 6S and newer. iPhone owners should be automatically prompted to update, but if not, you can trigger the update manually by going to Settings > General > Software Update. If you’re using a newer iOS 15 beta (see “The Road Ahead” section at the end), you’ll need to unenroll your iPhone before iOS 15.2.1 appears.
Note: This guide does not focus on older iOS or iPadOS updates, but I will address relevant issues in these guides.
The market breakers
Jailbreak fans are still stuck twiddling their thumbs as neither Unc0ver nor checkra1n cracked the latest versions of iOS 14, let alone iOS 15. iPhone 13 owners, having seen the phone launch with iOS 15, have not yet enjoyed a supported jailbreak. The longest wait for a new device in iPhone history.
For everyone else, the first 24 hours looks extremely good. Activity on Reddit is quiet (except for some missing release notes with the update), Apple Support Communities only showed isolated issues with the update not installed while on Twitter , there are individual reports of iMessage errors and battery drain but nothing to worry about. The only dissatisfaction I found was with some ongoing CarPlay connectivity issues, although nowhere near the same numbers as before.
It’s a good start for an iOS 15 release as I’ve seen. This may still change as more users upgrade, but it’s very promising.
So what do you get?
iOS 15.2.1 contains no new features, only (officially) two fixes. Here are the official release notes from Apple:
iOS 15.2.1 contains bug fixes for your iPhone, including:
- Messages may not load photos sent using an iCloud link
- Third-party CarPlay apps may not respond to inputs
The big one here is CarPlay. Apple did not acknowledge the automotive connectivity issues experienced by owners of almost all car brands with iOS 15.1 and iOS 15.2. But 24 hours after the release of iOS 15.2.1, although the fix is not exactly the same as people’s problems, I see almost no complaints on forums and social networks. With the odd isolated exception.
Apple is well known for slipping additional fixes into iOS releases without officially listing them and I suspect there are plenty of them in iOS 15.2.1.
The other talking point here is security with Apple’s official security page revealing that iOS 15.2.1 fixes a vulnerability that allowed hackers to attack iPhones and iPads via HomeKit. That’s a far cry from iOS 15.2’s 42 telltale security patches, but it’s still important for Apple to fix.
It’s also worth noting that for iOS 14 latecomers, Apple hasn’t released an update since iOS 14.8.1 in October. Considering the mass of security updates patched into iOS 15 since that time, it looks like iOS 14 users are getting a raw deal after Apple promised to continue supporting it after the release of iOS 15. It looks like it’s time to jump ship.
Apple iOS 15.2.1 Verdict: Upgrade
Given iOS 14’s lack of reported bugs and careless lack of updates, iOS 15.2.1 represents a major opportunity for cautious updaters to finally migrate to Apple’s latest version of iOS. Needless to say, bugs could still appear, but early signs are overwhelmingly positive.
Note: Bookmark this guide, I’ll keep updating it with any relevant flaws or features I find, and you’ll get my final verdict here in a week.
The road to follow
Apple has seeded the second iOS 15.3 beta with testers. That puts it live for a mid to late February release, which means we can still get an iOS 15.2.2 update if any notable bugs are found before then. Apple hasn’t included any new features in iOS 15.3 yet, but as a “major” update and with several major iOS 15 tent pegs missing – credentials in Apple Wallet being most likely – I would expect what it changes before the release.
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