You have to hand it to Apple, it knows how to get the latest versions of iOS onto users’ devices - one way or another. The positive way is Apple’s unparalleled ability to make updates immediately available to all. But there is also a more sneaky method and Apple has just used it again…
As a result seven week old iOS 8.2 has been unceremoniously killed off by what Apple calls ‘code signing’. This leaves iOS 8.3 as the only version of iOS which the company will allow to be installed on owner’s iPads, iPhones and iPod touches.
How It Works
Code Signing triggers at the point of installation. Every version of iOS has to ‘sign in’ with Apple’s servers first to verify its identity and receive permission to install. If Apple refuses to sign off the software it aborts, and clever Twitter bot @TSSstatus has detected iOS 8.2 signatures are no longer being signed off.
Read more - Apple iOS 8.3 Has 3 Great Secret Features
What It Means
The long and short of this is iOS owners can now only install iOS 8.3 from now on (unless they have developer access to betas of iOS 8.4), regardless of which version they are currently running.
The good news is if you don’t want to upgrade to iOS 8.3 - aside from the constant nagging notification on the settings icon - you can stay put. But the problem is if you suffer any issues with iOS 8.3 (and there are notable dangers - including security glitches) then there is no way to ‘downgrade’ to a previous version that worked for you. You’re stuck.
This is also bad news for jailbreakers because iOS 8.3 isn’t fully jailbroken. Consequently should you accidentally upgrade there is no route back and any jailbroken apps you use will be lost along with their data.
iOS 8.4 Incoming
What is worth noting, though your historical iOS options have now dried up, is there's another important version of iOS on the horizon.
iOS 8.4 is expected to debut at the Apple Worldwide Developers’ Conference (WWDC) on June 8th. It will bring a radically redesigned music app and is also expected to be the launch platform for Apple’s long awaited, Beats-inspired streaming music service.
Of course none of this really justifies Apple’s brutal habit of using Code Signing to prematurely kill off perfectly good iOS versions. Then again the majority won’t care as long as Apple continues its relentless drive to move iOS forward…
Read more - Apple iOS 8.3: Should You Upgrade?
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