It’s been a bumpy start for iPhone 14 owners. Yesterday, Apple released iOS 16.0.1 specifically to address data migration, authorization and photo issues with the range. Today, the company confirmed additional issues with iMessage and FaceTime.
In a new support document, Apple has also admitted that “iMessage and FaceTime may not complete activation on iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro” and acknowledges that issues can still occur, even after update to iOS 16.0.1.
The Apple iPhone 14 and 14 Pro models have experienced issues at launch
NurPhoto via Getty Images
Breaking down the issues, Apple states that “After setting up your iPhone, you may experience one or more of the following issues”:
- You cannot receive iMessages or FaceTime calls.
- You see a green message bubble instead of a blue one when you send a message to another Apple device.
- Conversations in Messages are shown as two separate threads, instead of one.
- Recipients see your messages as coming from the wrong account, for example your email address if you selected your phone number.
While the problems are clear, the solution is not. In its support document, Apple recommends that users upgrade to iOS 16.0.1 “to resolve this”, but a) these bugs do not appear in the iOS 16.0.1 release notes, and b) Apple suggests steps backup if you are “still having problems” after the update. These are:
- In the Settings app, tap Cellular. Make sure your phone line is activated. If you use multiple SIMs, make sure the phone number you want to use is selected and activated.
- In the Settings app, tap “Messages.” Then tap Send & Receive.
- Tap the phone number you want to use with Messages.
- Go back to the Settings app and tap on “FaceTime.”
- Tap the phone number you want to use with FaceTime.
The end? Not exactly.
In an internal Apple memo seen by MacRumors, Apple acknowledges the activation issues and states that “there are no current official fixes and that support staff should not ‘create a fix.’ [case] for the problem”. The recommended course of action is also different:
“‘Connect to Mac or PC with iTunes’ in the initial iOS onboarding process when prompted to connect to a Wi-Fi network, then go back to the previous screen and try again to try with Wi-Fi until activation is successful.” MacRumors quotes the report as saying.
I’ve reached out to Apple to clarify what iOS 16.0.1 contains and the conflicting information in the leaked memo. I will update this post when/if I get a response. In the meantime, I would recommend owners of older iPhones to go for iOS 15.7 instead of iOS 16, which is currently a fire for iPhones of all ages.
___
Follow Gordon on Facebook
Learn more at Forbes
MORE FROM FORBESNew Apple leak reveals iPhone 15 Shock launch by Gordon Kelly