Heads Up : iOS 8.1 is live.

[Anonymous]

For iPhone / iPad owners.

iOS 8.1 is now live to download.

[Anonymous]

I am in exactly the same position.

What I cannot for the life of me understand, is why either Apple or o2 or both do not state with absolute clarity what the situation is so we all understand?

I have an iphone 5, and I managed to download and instal a BETA version of the ios 8.1 about 3 weeks ago which does give me the 2G / 3G / 4G toggle back.

I have been offered the update now to the official 8.1 but I am scared to install it in case I lose that option again.

Do they (both Apple and o2) not realise that they are alienating customers in rural areas where the 3G signal simply is not good enough.

Where I live the 2G network on o2 gives me 4 or 5 bars. The 3G gives me between 0 and 2 bars at best and results in dropped calls and dreadful voice call quality.

I will have to stop using iphones if this does not change, as from what I read the new ones (iphone 5S, 6 etc) do not have this option at all. Even with the new software.

Android phones do, so I just dont get it???

Don't they want customers??

[Anonymous]

I just upgraded to an iPhone 6 at the weekend. My previous iPhone 5, running ios 8.1, had the 2G/3G/4G toggle. My iPhone 6, running the same version of OS only has 4G on / 4G off - as others have said. I live in a fringe 3G area and always had my settings set to 2G, as the 3G setting was constantly chasing and polling for the 3G signal, which drained the battery ridiculously quickly, compared to 2G. I always had 5 bar reception on 2G. On 3G, I have between 1 and 3 bars or reception and it changes as you watch. Given the confusion of the Apple / O2 debate about 'who's in charge' of this, I'm not sure what to do about it. I have 14 days cooling off period to cancel my contract. Preserving my battery life and getting a reliable reception, is more important to me than getting a faster carrier speed. Turning on Airplane Mode at home isn't an option, as I won't receive texts or calls and it's something I shouldn't be forced to do anyway. I like my iPhones and O2, but this could be a deal-breaker if the battery life is poor because of this. I won't get a chance to go back into the O2 store until next weekend, but I'll ask in-store then. In the meantime I'll watch this thread for developments

[Anonymous]

Hi

You can change handset once in the cooling off period too.

But if having the iPhone is a must your pretty much stuck due to the toggle not being present.

[Anonymous]

Thanks bandofbrothers, I don't really want to change phone or carrier - I've always had good service from O2. It's just frustrating. The introduction of a 2G toggle in the settings would immediately improve signal quality and battery life for people who live 'on the edge' like myself

[Anonymous]

No worries.

I totally understand.

I had the 3G toggle on my previous iPhone 5S until I changed tariff to a 4G one ,and then a carrier update removed the 3G and replaced it with the 4G one.

I am fortunate to be in a strong signal area but I have been trying to carry to the fight to 02 anyway. 😄

[Anonymous]

There are ways but I've been informed that we can't talk about them on here

[Steve3948]

Involves Jailbreak no doubt, mind you the way its going, I had 9 dropped calls yesterday so it's an absolute joke, I may be going down that road very soon.

[Anonymous]

Hi Steve3948 bs a warm welcome to the community forum. 😄

Your assumptions are correct. Debating jail breaking or rooting or including ways and links on how are prohibited by the forum rules.

And to be honest I can see why as doing this procedure can cause its own issues.

What we need is for O2 and Apple to engage with each other ,and allow the toggle via the carrier update. Why they don't im totally lost at.

[Steve3948]

Well 8.1.1 did not offer the toggle, dissapointed.

[MI5]

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@Steve3948 wrote:

Well 8.1.1 did not offer the toggle, dissapointed.

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That's part of the carrier file which is independent to the networks.