Apple’s iOS 12.1 update delivered some crucial fixes, but iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max owners are still dealing with a variety of problems.
Those who’ve picked up Apple’s new flagships are complaining about connectivity issues, activation problems, Bluetooth issues, Wi-Fi issues, and more.
The list of problems is growing and we expect it to get larger as more people decide to buy the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Plus in 2018 and beyond.
In this guide we’ll take you through the most common iPhone XS problems plaguing the two models. We’ll also provide you with some tips and resources that will come in handy if and when you start noticing issues on your new iPhone.
iPhone XS Problems
Some iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max users are still dealing with activation problems. Activation issues are extremely common so if you’re having trouble activating your new phone there’s no need to panic.
If you’re unable to activate your iPhone right now, check Apple’s System Status page. If it’s not green, you’ll want to wait until it’s green and then try again.
If it’s green and it’s still not working, make sure you have a SIM card in your iPhone. If you’re getting a “No Sim” or “Invalid SIM” error you’ll want to head here for help.
On top of that, we’re hearing about iCloud Restore problems. This is also a common issue with new phones and it can be rather tricky to fix. If you run into issues restoring from iCloud, head here for a few potential fixes.
iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max users are also complaining about problems setting up Face ID, problems with iCloud, Wi-Fi problems, sound problems, and Bluetooth issues.
Some iPhone XS users are also dealing with shipping and in-store pickup problems. If you’re dealing with a shipping issue you’ll want to get in contact with Apple customer service or with your delivery company’s customer service.
Where to Find Feedback
If you start noticing issues on your iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max, or if you’re thinking about buying one, you’ll want to dig into feedback and fixes from those who have upgraded. There are a few places to do that.
We recommend keeping an eye on YouTube, Apple’s discussion forums, social media sites like Twitter/Facebook, and the MacRumors forums.
These are great places to find out more about iPhone XS hardware and software problems.
How to Fix iPhone XS Problems
If you run into an iPhone XS problem there’s no reason to panic. There’s a very good chance you can fix the issue(s) you’re seeing in a matter of minutes.
If you don’t know where to start, take a look at our list of fixes for the most common iPhone XS problems. This guide outlines fixes that could help you get your experience back on track.
We’ve also released some tips to help you improve your device’s overall performance and a guide that could help you improve your iPhone XS battery life.
If you can’t find a fix for your issue in those walkthroughs, you’ll want to check Apple’s discussion forums for potential fixes.
If you’d prefer to get in touch with Apple, you can do so via the company’s support account on Twitter. You can also get in contact with Apple Support via the company’s website.
If Apple’s frontline customer service can’t fix your problem, you might want to take your phone into your local Apple Store or your local carrier location to see if they can diagnose your issue.
If you’ve got an Apple Store in your area, schedule a Genius Bar appointment and have them run diagnostics on your device to see if they can pinpoint the problem.
Your iPhone XS is under warranty so they might offer you a replacement if they determine there’s a serious defect.
How to Downgrade the iPhone XS
There’s no way to downgrade an iPhone XS or iPhone XS Plus to iOS 11. You’re stuck with iOS 12. You can’t downgrade to iOS 12.0 either. Apple’s stopped signing on the iOS 12.0 update.
You can, however, downgrade your device to iOS 12.0.1 if Apple’s iOS 12.1 update starts giving you trouble.
If you’re unfamiliar with the process you’ll want to get acquainted with it right now. Apple typically stops signing off on older updates soon after it releases new firmware.
Our guide to the iOS 12 downgrade will walk you through everything you need to know for next time.
What’s Next
Apple’s confirmed an iOS 12.1.1 update and the update is in beta ahead of a public release later this year.
iOS 12.1.1 is a point upgrade which means it will likely bring bug fixes and under-the-hood improvements to the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max.
If your iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max is really struggling on iOS 12.1 or another version of iOS 12, you can try downloading the iOS 12.1.1 beta.
4 Reasons Not to Install iOS 12.1 & 8 Reasons You Should
Install iOS 12.1 for Better Security |
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If you’re on the fence, here’s one of the best reasons to install iOS 12.1. If you value your device’s security you’ll want to install the iOS 12.1 update on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch today. Apple’s iOS 12.1 update comes with new security patches that will help protect your phone. In all, there are 24 patches for potential security exploits in iOS 12.1. You can read about them over on Apple’s website. If you skipped iOS 12.0.1, your iOS 12.1 update brings two additional patches. Both patches are for potential lock screen exploits. If you skipped iOS 12.0, and you’re still running iOS 11.4.1 or below, your iOS 12.1 update will come with a longer list of security updates. The iOS 12.0 update delivered 16 patches for security issues. You can read about all of them over on Apple’s website. In addition to those patches, iOS 12 delivers new security features aimed at protecting you and the data you store on your device. These include:
Long story short, if you store sensitive data on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, you have some really good reasons to upgrade to iOS 12.1 today. |
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