Why is my iPhone acting up since I updated my software (14.8)?

I updated my iPhone 6s recently to the 14.8 software and have been having problems with it ever since. I updated the software because the phone was not operating properly and I suspected it might have been hacked because my battery was draining very quickly and then there were the news stories about a month ago re: how hackers had found a way to hack iPhones and urging owners to update ASAP.


Anyway, I did the update using my Mac and problems began:

  1. All was well for awhile and then the battery drainage issue returned and got much worse. In fact, now if I leave the phone charging overnight, when I pull out the charging cable the next morning, the charge often drops immediately from 100% to 10%.
  2. For no apparent reason, 95 % of the photos that I had stored in the phone were deleted two days ago.
  3. On a number of occasions in the past few days the phone failed to ring when I had incoming calls and incoming messages.

Is it possible that the phone is still hacked? I have Malwarebytes on my laptop and was wondering if this company has the same securing program for iPhones(?). I'd be glad to pay for the service if they do.


I'm sort of lost here and any help here would be really appreciated.


Regards,

Bob

iPhone 6s, iOS 14

Posted on Oct 20, 2021 5:09 PM

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Question marked as ⚠️ Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 20, 2021 5:33 PM

I don't believe that your iPhone 6s was ever hacked. I state that based on the examples that you have given about the performance of your iPhone. I suspect that you may have a failing battery in your iPhone. A failing battery will severely affect the overall performance of an iPhone. You can confirm the status of your battery by checking the battery health.


You may have a poor battery condition which cannot provide sufficient power for peak performance. What is the Battery Health of your iPhone? Open Settings Battery Battery Health and let us know which percentage you see for Maximum Capacity. Also note what is written under Peak Performance. If your battery's Maximum Capacity shows a value of 80% or less, then it has gone through its lifecycle and therefore should be replaced, according to Apple.


Axel F.

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Oct 20, 2021 5:33 PM in response to EAlton

I don't believe that your iPhone 6s was ever hacked. I state that based on the examples that you have given about the performance of your iPhone. I suspect that you may have a failing battery in your iPhone. A failing battery will severely affect the overall performance of an iPhone. You can confirm the status of your battery by checking the battery health.


You may have a poor battery condition which cannot provide sufficient power for peak performance. What is the Battery Health of your iPhone? Open Settings Battery Battery Health and let us know which percentage you see for Maximum Capacity. Also note what is written under Peak Performance. If your battery's Maximum Capacity shows a value of 80% or less, then it has gone through its lifecycle and therefore should be replaced, according to Apple.


Axel F.

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Oct 22, 2021 6:34 AM in response to Axel Foley

Yes, Axel, it's still sometimes drops immediately from 100% to 10% along with other troublesome problems like losing most of my stored photos, sometimes not ringing when I receive calls or text messages. Is there anyway I could have my phone system analyzed to see if it has been hacked?

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Oct 22, 2021 12:41 PM in response to EAlton

Ensure that you have some free and available storage space left on your iPhone as well. Open settings ➔ General ➔ iPhone Storage: Here, you will see how much free space is available.


I still believe that your iPhone is NOT hacked. No amount of Hacking is going to affect your hardware so bad that your battery 90% immediately. You are right about getting your iPhone examined and evaluated for hardware issues. Get it examined at the Apple Store or at an Authorized Service Center to resolve the issue(s) that you are facing.


Axel F.

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Oct 23, 2021 7:17 AM in response to Axel Foley

Hello again, Axel. And thanks for the continued assistance here.


I checked the storage situation on my iPhone as you suggested and you're right about it being nearly full, primarily with voice memo material. I'll see about freeing up the storage space and report back to you afterwards.


By the way, you mentioned an Authorized Service Center here. What do you mean by that; are they associated with Apple or my phone carrier?


Thanks again for the help.


Bob

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Oct 23, 2021 10:15 AM in response to EAlton

Hi Bob,


Free up at least 6GB to 8GB of space on your iPhone. If the iPhone begins to function normally after the storage space is available, then it tells us that the issues were related to storage space and was getting in the way of performance of your iPhone. If this does not resolve the issues, then have your iPhone examined and evaluated.


An Authorized Service Center is a center/facility that is Authorized and Certified by Apple to conduct diagnosis and repairs on behalf of Apple. Apple will stand behind those repairs. On the other hand, you also have an older iPhone (iPhone 6S). This means that it is out of warranty and perhaps a third-party (non-authorized) repair/service shop may be a cost effective way to go. The decision is yours.


Begin with freeing up storage space. See which benefits you get out of that action. If some other performance issues continue to happen, then I recommend the iPhone diagnosis. If we get to this point, then I suspect it may also lead to a battery replacement. First things first, Free up some space and see where you land.


Axel F.

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Oct 26, 2021 12:26 PM in response to Axel Foley

Hi again, Axel. And thanks very much for the additional info. Sorry for the delay in replying but have dealing with a couple of health issues. Am trying to free up some additional space on iPhone and will get back to this thread as soon as I do.


Best,

Bob

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Nov 3, 2021 5:22 PM in response to Axel Foley

Hi, Axel. I went to the nearest Apple Store today to have the pone checked out. After seeing how erratically the phone was performing, the tech guy decided that the hardware of the old 6S iPhone wasn't really capable of properly handling the updated software and convinced me to buy a new iPhone SE. He wanted me to go for the iPhone 13 but, budget constraints being what they are, I bought the older model. Anyway, It seems to be operating very well right now.


Thanks very much for the help and consideration here, Axel. I look forward to bothering you again sometime.


Bob

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Nov 3, 2021 7:28 PM in response to EAlton

Hi Bob,

Glad that you were able to resolve the issue, however that was done by purchasing a new iPhone SE. I believe that you made the right decision. Wish you the best of health and best of luck with your new iPhone. Looking forward to type to you soon.


Axel F.

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Why is my iPhone acting up since I updated my software (14.8)?

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