Apple iOS 9.0.2 Has Three New Nasty Surprises

It’s time to call it: iOS 9 has had a rough start .
Despite its impressive new features, the
platform has needed two dedicated bug patches
in as many weeks. But not only have these
patches failed to fix all the problems, it turns out
they are introducing a whole host of new ones
along the way…
Of those three major new bugs in particular are
causing consternation across Apple
’s official Support Communities
forum and the wider Web. Let’s break them
down:
Problem #1: Broken Notifications
Yes, this is a doozy. Multiple sources (1, 2, 3, 4)
are reporting iPhones, iPads and even iPod
touches are giving no audible or vibration alerts
for new notifications. This is across both default
Apple apps and third party apps. Called out
examples include Mail, Gmail, WhatsApp,
Facebook , and even reminders.
“Push notifications and badge notifications are
not working for several apps, both default apps
and third-party. This is particularly a problem
for Reminders as they are no longer indicating
due and overdue tasks,” comments user
Javajunkie on one Apple Support Communities
thread.
Following this up I have also spoken to affected
users who have confirmed that installing the
latest iOS 9.1 beta release (number 4) doesn’t
address the problem. This suggests – unless
Apple crams in a last minute addition to the
release – a fix may be some time in coming.


Problem #2: Hanging Email
While those not getting email notifications are
frustrated, they are lucky compared to the 27,000
strong Apple Support Communities thread which
says they are not receiving their emails at all.
Affected users can see new emails have arrived
but when they try to open them nothing
happens and they get a pop-up saying “message
not yet downloaded from server”. Contacting me
directly one of the affected users pointed out the
bug even impacts deleted emails in both the sent
and trash folders:
“This is a really frustrating problem. It can be
hours or even days before an email deleted from
the server comes off the iPhone but most
eventually come off. Some emails are never
deleted and there is no apparent logic. Anyone
who didn’t have a backup (on a desktop, for
example) has lost his emails. The fixes suggested
by Apple (delete and restore your email
accounts) not only do not work but lose any
placeholders.”
Many users initially blamed their providers –
email, carrier or ISP – but with over 200
responses on the thread to date and no common
pattern, it has become clear the issue resides
with Apple. It remains unclear at this time
whether iOS 9.1 will address the problem or if
Apple can fix it on the server side.
As for issue number three, it is hitting iPhone
messaging on every major US carrier…
Problem #3: iMessage Failures
Finally this Reddit thread piles on the misery of
iPhone owners with numerous users reporting
iMessage on iOS 9.0.2 don’t work. Instead an
iMessage eventually times out and is sent as a
text message instead. Customers across Sprint,
Verizon, AT&T , T-Mobile even Telus in
Canada are all reporting the issue with claims
Apple and T-Mobile are now admitting the
problem exists:
“I spoke with Apple and T-Mobile within the last
hour (10/7/15 at 4 pm Pacific time). Both are
aware of the problem and know it is affecting
many people. They have determined that the
issue is the iMessages ONLY between people with
the new iOS and older versions of the iOS,”
states Kelreddit.
How long will a fix take? There’s good and bad
news.
The good news is the original thread poster has
seen the issue resolve itself, but many others are
still left in the mire with more users reporting
that the problem has only just started for them.
Again the hope will be this is something Apple
can ultimately address without another iOS
update.