Apple released a number of updates yesterday evening. The focus was on supporting the new AirPods Max over-ear headphones and the launch of the new “online fitness studio” Apple Fitness +. But the updates also brought a whole range of other innovations, such as support for the new Apple RAW photo format. Read the first user feedback on macOS 11.1, iOS 14.3, iPadOS 14.3, watchOS 7.2 and tvOS 14.3 here.
macOS 11.1: Boot loop after update
Apple revised the update mechanism with macOS Big Sur: Similar to iOS, part of the work is already done while the Mac is still working normally. Apple wants to minimize the time for which the computer is blocked because of the update so that updates can be installed more quickly.
However, some users report that an infinite reboot loop occurs when installing macOS 11.1. The Mac displays the apple logo and the progress bar, reboots and shows the progress bar again. This behavior repeats itself over and over again. At the moment the only remedy is a forced restart or restoring a previously created backup.
How many users are affected is unclear – in any case, the new Macs with the M1 chip are not exempt from this annoying error. But users shouldn’t be shocked: It’s normal for the Mac to restart several times during the update.
Apple TV + easier to find
The Apple TV app is difficult to use on iOS and macOS: Apple mixes content from many sources here, so that, for example, targeted browsing for content from Apple TV + becomes a test of patience. Apple has now corrected this problem with macOS 11.1 and iOS 14.3 – there is now a tab (“Apple TV + Originals”) in which only content from Apple TV + is listed.
iOS 12.5 – but no Corona app, as it requires iOS 13.6
Surprisingly, Apple released an update for iOS 12, which has the “Exposure Framework”. This is used for corona encounter warnings and thus these are also available for the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.
Unfortunately, the German Corona warning app cannot be installed because it requires iOS 13.6. But even without a Corona warning app, encounter warnings can be activated in the settings – only the transmission of a positive test result is not possible. The RKI will probably adapt the Corona warning app shortly so that it can also be installed on iOS 12.5.
iMessage bug fixed – or not?
Apple explicitly writes in the update notes for iOS 14.3 that errors in the display of notifications in the Messages app have been fixed (we reported: ). The final version of iOS 14.3 is the same build number as the previously released Release Candidate 2 of iOS 14.3 – in which user feedback after iMessage did not work properly. Either Apple changed something in the server infrastructure last night to eliminate the error – or the error has not yet been completely eliminated.
Slow keyboard not fixed
Since the appearance of iOS 14, some users have been annoyed by a slow on-screen keyboard: Most of the time, the keyboard does not respond to the input of the first letter or only reacts with a second delay. Apple doesn’t seem to have fixed this problem in iOS 14.3 – the error persists after initial feedback.
PlayStation 5 controller cannot be paired
Actually, iOS 14.3 and iPadOS 14.3 should bring support for the new controllers of the PlayStation 5 (“DualSense”) – but apparently the coupling does not work according to various users. PlayStation 4 controllers are recognized perfectly – but the new controllers refuse to work.
Fitness + without AirPlay
If you would like to see the fitness coach on the big TV during training, you currently need an Apple TV. For reasons unknown so far, Videos from Fitness + cannot be displayed on a large TV via AirPlay. Various TVs, such as those from Sony, LG and Samsung, support AirPlay and can play videos directly from Mac, iPhone or iPad. Why Apple does not allow AirPlay here and whether this will be submitted with an update is unknown.
Fitness + is missing on iPad
After installing iPadOS 14.3, Fitness + is missing from all iPad users. Apple has decided that the app must first be installed on the iPad from the App Store – and even then it is only a stripped-down version of the app, on which only the videos can be viewed.
But even with some iPhone users, the app is missing after installing iOS 14.3. A restart usually helps here so that the app becomes visible. Caution: Apple Fitness + is not yet available in Germany, so the app is not displayed for any German user.
Unproblematic: watchOS 7.2 and tvOS 14.3
There are no problem reports whatsoever for tvOS 14.3 or watchOS 7.2 – the installation seems to go through without any problems for all users. Just like every watchOS update, new users are confused by the update procedure of the Apple Watch: It must be on the charger with at least 50% remaining charge – only then can the update be installed. During the update, the watch must remain on the charger – the watch should only be put on again after the update.