iOS 8 Adoption Stagnates Just Two and a Half Weeks After Launch

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After almost three weeks of availability, Apple's iOS 8 operating system is now installed on 47 percent of devices, according to new numbers posted on Apple's App Store support page for developers.

That marks a very slight increase in adoption over the past two weeks, as back on September 21, iOS 8 was installed on 46 percent of devices. 47 percent of iOS users continue to stick to iOS 7, possibly due to a number of bugs that have plagued the launch of iOS 8.

ios8adoptionnumbers
Just ahead of the launch of iOS 8, all HealthKit-enabled apps were pulled from the App Store due to a major HealthKit bug. A fix was quickly released, but the update, iOS 8.0.1, disabled the cellular service and Touch ID functionality on iPhone 6 and 6 Plus devices.

iOS 8.0.2 fixed the problems introduced with iOS 8.0.1 and brought several other bug fixes, but the publicity surrounding the iOS 8.0.1 issue may have discouraged some users from updating.

Along with the critical bug introduced with iOS 8.0.1, several other problems have come to light. An iCloud Drive issue with the "Reset All Settings" option causes iCloud Drive documents to be deleted from iCloud, and multiple users have experienced problems with Bluetooth. Furthermore, iOS 8 users have complained of other issues with the operating system, including slow wi-fi speeds and excessive battery drain.

Apple's iOS 8 adoption numbers closely mirror data from Mixpanel, which also puts iOS 8 adoption at 47 percent. iOS 8's adoption rate appears to be slower than iOS 7 adoption as Mixpanel's numbers last year put iOS 7 adoption at 69.7 percent 20 days after launch.

mixpanelios8adoptionrateinfo

Mixpanel iOS 8 adoption numbers, October 4 to October 7

In late September, Apple stopped signing iOS 7.1.2, making it impossible for iOS 8 users to downgrade back to a previous-generation operating system. The company is working to combat the issues facing iOS 8, however, simultaneously working on iOS 8.1, 8.2, and 8.3.

iOS 8.1, seeded to developers last week, fixes at least one major problem, repairing the Bluetooth pairing issue many users have been facing. The update also includes support for Apple Pay, which is expected to debut in October.

Related Forum: iOS 8

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Top Rated Comments

sosull Avatar
sosull
145 months ago
An over-the-air update is a tough sell on 8GB or 16GB devices – lots of people wouldn't want to delete photos and apps to make way for a software update.
Score: 95 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Alisstar Avatar
Alisstar
145 months ago
This isn't surprising to me at all. I have friends who are still on iOS 7 because they don't have enough free space available to upgrade. When I tell them they can upgrade by connecting their phones to their computers, and thus, doing it through iTunes, they look at me like I'm crazy, or like it's 2008 or something.
Score: 71 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jcw5002 Avatar
jcw5002
145 months ago
Most of my friends still haven't updated. Why? They have 16GB iPhones with not enough space! (I told them about iTunes update, but that's extra work.)

If Apple really wants to drive rapid OS adoption, they need to start w/ 32GB entry level iPhones.
Score: 67 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DotCom2 Avatar
DotCom2
145 months ago
Buggiest iOS I've ever experienced
Score: 60 Votes (Like | Disagree)
carjakester Avatar
carjakester
145 months ago
honestly wish i was still on 6. 7 was okay but iOS 8 has had nothing but problems for me and many others. Unacceptable and very unlike apple for this to happen.
Score: 53 Votes (Like | Disagree)
elmateo487 Avatar
elmateo487
145 months ago
Yeah... its not because of bugs.. It is because people do not know anything about their phones, and the vast majority just let that red 1 sit on their setting app, and the people that actually try to update? They don't have 2 free gigs of space available, and they don't know how to update from their computers.

Am I a pessimist? Yes.... because I work at a technology help desk. And no one.... knows anything.
Score: 50 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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