As per usual, Apple's iOS 6 update hasn't gone well for all iPhone 4 and 4S owners with the complaints continuing after Wednesday's debut. Here at The Atlantic Wire, we had our own upgrading problem, in which the phone reset its password and locked us out, which Apple assures is not a common issue. Now, beyond the server overload — a norm for Apple on software release days — lingering user complaints seem to center on WiFi, the (lack of) maps functionality, and syncing with Facebook e-mail. Herein, some quick iOS 6 fixes, and why, when it comes to the whole Google Maps thing, the best fix may be not upgrading at all.
Problem: After going through the update, users on the Apple forums have complained of three WiFi related issues. The first group says that with iOS 6, the WiFi is completely disabled, showing a "grayed out" indicator, as pictured to the right. The other set also says they can't access WiFi, this time not able to connect to local networks. Finally, when trying to connect a network, others were prompted with a log-in screen with just Apple's website, and nowhere to fill in a password. When dismissed that redirected to Apple's site.
Fix: Apple hasn't commented on these situations, but for the grayed out WiFi we get a solution from the Apple forums.
HELLO FOLKS!!! I THINK I'VE FIGURED OUT HOW TO OVERCOME THIS ISSUE! SORRY ABOUT THE CAPS ON!!! 1 - DISABLE CELLULAR DATA AND 3G AND WIFI -
2 - TURN ON YOUR WIFI ONLY! REPEAT...WIFI ONLY
3 - TURN ALL YOUR CELLULAR STUFF BACK ON AGAIN
4 - SMILE...YOU GOT YOUR STUFF BACK IN BUSINESS AGAIN!!!!! THESE STEPS SHOULD RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
Some say that works, others say it doesn't. As for the other issue, so far the Apple forums have no solution for that. And, as for the final issue, BGR says it has already been corrected, as it had something to do with a down page on Apple.com, which now works.
Maps Related Whining
Problem: People just don't like it. They miss Google Maps. Anil Dash has a rundown on his personal blog of all the reasons Apple's Maps version is "actually pretty dumb." Mostly, though, it just doesn't work. It has less data than Google, leaving billions without traffic, transit and street view data, per The Understatement's Michael Degusta's calculations. It also often misdirects people, meaning it doesn't do its main function, as we pointed out yesterday, naming at as one of the biggest reasons we didn't want to upgrade.
Fix: Google maps has not yet released a maps app for iOS 6, with Search Engine Land's Danny Sullivan saying they are being "cagey" about putting one out at all. He asked them if the site would put out a competitor to the now native Apple product, and the company sent back the following statement.
We believe Google Maps are the most comprehensive, accurate and easy-to-use maps in the world. Our goal is to make Google Maps available to everyone who wants to use it, regardless of device, browser, or operating system.
Nowhere in there does it say "yes we are working on an app." Though, it does sound like they want one. The other options are even less satisfying. You can either get over it, get used to it. Or not upgrade at all, keeping iOS 5 with all its Google Maps glory.
Facebook E-mail Sync Disaster
Problem: Because of Facebook's new cozy relationship with Apple, the phone has a new contact sync feature that is designed to pull the social network's information into your phones address book. That includes photos, phone numbers, and email addresses. But, as TechCrunch's John Constine notes, those emails are @facebook.com addresses, which send messages to Facebook, rather than you're actual email.
Fix: So, this involves having really diligent friends who happen to read tech blogs. But, in order to have the most complete address book, with the right mail addresses, you have to get all your Facebook friends to change the default contact info on their profiles. We explained how to do this back in June (here), when Facebook made this irritating change. Send that along to all your Facebook friends. Or, you could not do the sync at all. Or, after having performed the task, one could go through their phone and switch the @Facebook.com accounts, for actual email addresses people use.
While all these little nips and tucks will make iOS 6 more palatable, the only way to avoid all these issues is to not upgrade at all. Unlike iOS 5, which had updates that made it worthwhile -- like iMessage and Notifications -- iOS 6 doesn't sound like a must have.
This article is from the archive of our partner The Wire.