iOS 8 update problems continue as Apple withdraws iOS 7 support

Despite several updates released for Apple's latest operating system, iOS 8, problems have persisted.

It has also been announced that users who have already updated their device will not be able to downgrade to iOS 7, which could become a problem in light of the ongoing hardware and software issues.

Apple released the iOS 8.0.2 update on Thursday, which was created to correct some problems that users had reported having with iOS 8.0.1.

Problems included people being unable to connect to their cellular network to make phone calls, getting locked out of their device due to the Touch ID fingerprint sensor not working correctly and HealthKit apps not being available on the App Store due to a bug.

The HealthKit bug meant many apps that were planning to release iOS 8-compatible updates for Apple's new health and fitness tracking hub had to delay plans until the problem could be resolved.

Addressing this, a spokesperson for Apple told Cult of Mac: "We're working quickly to have the bug fixed in a software update and have HealthKit available by the end of the month."

Once these problems were first reported, Apple released the second update. According to Mac Rumours, the company did however announce that fewer than 40,000 iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus devices had been affected by the bugs.

In a statement on Thursday, the company said: "iOS 8.0.2... fixes an issue that affected iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users who downloaded iOS 8.0.1, and includes improvements and big fixes originally in iOS 8.0.1. We apologise for inconveniencing the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users who were impacted by the big in iOS 8.0.1."

The second update did not rectify all of the problems as promised, however, and many users continued to report issues they were having with their device.

Carolina Milanesi, chief of research at Kantar Worldpanel, said: "There's a certain perception that Apple has to get things right, and when they don't, the whole company gets questioned. But they came out and said We apologise; we're working 24/7 to fix it.' I think that's what matters."

It has also emerged that Apple is withdrawing support for iOS 7 for users who have already upgraded their device, which can be seen as an attempt to get as many people using iOS 8 as possible.

The problems that Apple's newest operating system has experienced so far have received a lot of attention, so the news that disgruntled users will not be able to downgrade to iOS 7 could be cause for concern.