Using data by Mixpanel, Apple Music seems to be quickly driving adoption of Apple’s latest iteration of its operating system, iOS 8.4. The chart shows that, in just one week, iOS 8.4 usage now makes up more than 40% of all iOS device usage. This is a rather staggering rate of uptake for a point-release. Clearly, the interest and advertisement around Apple Music is having an effect on update rates. Obviously, this only tracks OS adoption and says nothing about how well Apple Music itself is being received.
The 40% mark for iOS 8.4 is an impressive achievement but it would likely be even higher if it wasn’t for the iOS 9 betas stealing some few million users away from the public release cycle. In terms of 9to5Mac’s traffic, iOS 9 is currently the third most popular version of iOS used by readers.
Apple Music is clearly the top driver for iOS 8.4 adoption however it is worth noting that Apple has dedicated significant engineering work to reducing the necessary available space requirements for iOS updates. This enables users to more quickly get on the latest version as they are less likely to need to reorganize apps and media on their devices to make room for the update.
Unfortunately, the data for iOS 8.4 is only available through third-party services like Mixpanel. Apple’s official statistics only report usage of major versions … currently pitting iOS 8 usage at 84%.
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Thanks to the jailbreak available the first day.
That’s why I updated all of my devices.
Take that Google
Sadly, I have to report that my iPhone 6 and Air 2 have both been very “buggy” since I downloaded 8.4
Freezing up, email issues, slower internet, etc. I’m hoping iOS 9 comes out soon and fixes everything!
Mine as well. The phone completely erased itself in the middle of my work day about 1-2 days after ‘upgrade’. Also, like you I’ve found that the phone freezes, mail crashes mid sentence. Totally takes away the enjoyment to have apple music…
I think your devices needs a clean iOS installation through a clean computer especially if you are using a Windows PC, as you know there is a lot of circumstances that may affect or infect your device including antivirus interruption and the ]Hacking Team[ infection that can jailbreak your device.
iPhone 6 plus, iPhone 5s, iPad Air 2 all upgraded to 8.4 since the first day with no single issue of any.
Hey Ben! Thanks for the article! What do you think, why there are so many people who are still on 8.2 or earlier version? Besides the logical answer – they have older devices, my question is pointed on the devices who are capable of running the latest one but they are still not there? Are those people just being lazy or maybe don’t care or they are 50-something who don’t even know what a new version of iOS is? Or maybe they are developers? Because I always download the latest version on the day of release or on the next one, I thought others do that too. Even if I am stuck with 7.1.2 due my iPhone 4. :D
Mail has been extremely buggy since updating to iOS 8.4. Mail continuously freezes upon opening without downloading any emails. Takes multiple times to “force quit” mail before it will eventually open. Hope they get this fixed soon! What a pain!
Apple apparently has stopped signing 8.3 only a week after 8.4 was released. That may have some impact also.
They usually stop signing software almost immediately, as the JB community attests.
I really don’t understand that. Every time there’s an update, I can see some people complaining this doesn’t work, that doesn’t work. I’m like, what?! I have an iPhone 4s, it’s like soooooooo old and I’ve never done a clean install since I got it. And guess what? There’s not a single problem with it.
And yes, I got it 3 year ago!
What a beautiful number! Not even 1% using iOS 7.0 (one version earlier)
Like every other analytics software it doesn’t give a true picture because it only represents websites who use Mixpanel.
On my website (which uses Google Analytics) I had a “massive ;)” 256 people visit my site in the last week.
49% of iOS users where on 8.3, and just 21% where on 8.4.
My analytics data is no more or less accurate than Mixpanel.
It would be interesting to see 9to5macs analytics over the last week to see what their figures are. Could be more, could be less. Its the reason why when analysts say “the Apple Watch is selling really badly” they really don’t have a clue.
My iPhone 5s automatically switching off after updating to 8.4 and it doesn’t turn on until I hold and press both power and home but together :(