Even the latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system still has flaws. Here are some commonly reported iOS 11 problems and ways to fix them. We cover all sorts of issues, bugs, and glitches from apps freezing to iPhones overheating to Touch ID not working. If you have a problem try one of our fixes.
It’s been nearly a year since Apple released iOS 11 for iPhones and iPads. And while the Cupertino, California-based company is soon to release iOS 12 for 2018, you still have a few more months with the current operating system. Although Apple has released more than a dozen updates for iOS 11 this year, there are still some bugs and issues that plague certain users.
We searched a variety of forums for the biggest problems people are experiencing on their iPhone or iPad since the update. To help make the transition easier for you, here are the most common iOS 11 problems and potential solutions on how to deal with them.
According to AppleToolBox, some users have been reporting issues with the Control Center. After downloading iOS 11, people have found that the buttons are freezing and unresponsive.
Potential solution:
Not only have users on Apple’s forum been complaining about their devices getting extremely hot, but some claim to have experienced serious swelling causing their iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus to burst open. Due to what appears to be the battery swelling from gases inside, the expansion places pressure on the display causing it to pop open. While having the device burst open does help to avoid a fire, you’ll still want to make sure your device doesn’t overheat.
Potential solutions:
Users have expressed via the Apple Forum that they are losing Wi-Fi connection or are unable to connect to networks. Even though the Wi-Fi is working with other devices, people are having trouble finding a stable connection.
Potential solution:
Apple originally warned users with iOS 10.3 that it will soon drop support for 32-bit apps. With iOS 11, the change is official and any 32-bit apps on your phone will refuse to launch. You’ll instead receive a pop-up notification letting you know the developer needs to release a 64-bit update for it to work.
Workaround:
A common problem users have been experiencing with iOS 11 is their apps freezing or quitting unexpectedly. The problem could stem from a variety of reasons ranging from the iOS version to the app itself. If you find yourself opening an app only to watch it shut down on you repeatedly, there are ways, other than simply deleting the app, to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Potential solutions:
With iOS 11, users on the Apple Forum have been reporting their touchscreen is either lagging or becomes completely unresponsive. The issue has existed as far back as the beta with developers posting on the Apple Developer forum. If you find this happens to you, there’s always the common answer of making sure your screen is both clean and dry, and that you don’t need a new screen protector. But there are also other ways you might fix this issue within the operating system, rather than focusing on the screen itself.
Potential solutions:
Aside from problems downloading apps, some users have also been experiencing problems with getting into the App Store. During the beta testing, Reddit users had the same issue and took to the iOS 11 thread to try to solve it. They’ve been receiving error messages saying their device cannot currently connect to the App Store.
Potential solutions:
With iOS 11, some users have found that their contacts are not showing up correctly. On Apple’s forums, one user noticed all the contact names in the phone app showed up as phone numbers when someone called. Rather than displaying the correct contact, it would suggest names by listing it as “Maybe:” followed by a name. Another user experienced the same issue when receiving text messages instead.
Potential solutions:
Some iPhone users — particularly those with an iPhone 6S — have been experiencing Touch ID issues. On Apple’s forum, users found the home button was no longer working for them after updating their software to 11.2.1.
Prior to trying out different solutions, you should make sure the Home button itself is clean and dry. You can do so by using a clean, lint-free cloth to wipe off any dirt or debris.
Potential solutions:
With any iOS update also comes battery issues. For the most part, being able to handle iOS 11 isn’t a problem for the next-generation iPhone 8,8 Plus, and X, which all include an A11 Bionic chip. But for those of you with an older processor, you might find your battery dying more quickly than it used to. On Apple’s forums, multiple users have been complaining that their batteries have been draining extremely fast since downloading iOS 11.
In December 2017, Apple also confirmed it does slow down older iPhones in order to better handle the power output that aging batteries can offer. In an effort to appease angry customers, it now offers owners of an iPhone 6 and later models a battery replacement for $29 — $50 less than what it would normally cost — through December 2018.
Potential solutions:
MacRumors has reported that Apple has acknowledged a bug affecting the mics in some iPhone 7 and 7Plus models. According to an internal document given to Apple Authorized Service Providers, some users may experience issues regarding a greyed-out speaker button which may keep the affected customers from being heard during phone calls.
The document advises Apple’s service providers to first instruct users to disconnect any audio accessories. If that does not fix the issue, then audio diagnostics should be run. Affected devices will display messages reading “device could not detect dock” or “accessory not supported.”
The document says that if the affected iPhone 7 is no longer under warranty, the service provider may request an extension for this particular issue.
Workaround:
Shortly after Apple release iOS 11.4 in May, some users began noticing battery drain on their iPhones. The problem was not specific to any particular iPhone and many users noticed significant dips in battery life when their phones were in standby mode.
Solution:
With iOS 11, you can scan QR codes with your camera app and then tap on the banner notification for the code. But according to a report by Infosec, a bug within the operating system is allowing users to change the URL that it redirects to. Infosec demonstrated this by creating a QR code with an unsuspicious hostname which pulls up a notification to “Open ‘facebook.com’ in Safari.”
The URL embedded within the QR code is “https://xxx@facebook.com:443@infosec.rm-it.de/” but if you tap open the site, the code will instead direct you to “https://infosec.rm-it.de/”. This could be because the URL parser in the camera app can’t detect the hostname the same way Safari does — which means the hostname in the notification banner is different than what the browser opens up.
Infosec mentioned the bug was already reported to Apple’s security team in December 2017. But as of March 26,2018, the QR code issue has yet to be resolved.
Solution:
First spotted by Italian site Mobile World, a new iOS bug was causing iMessage and other apps to crash by sending a specific character in Telugu — an Indian language.
