Apple has been forced to hastily retract its first update to iOS 8, after it was discovered to be causing issues with the newly announced iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. iOS 8.0.1 was released to fix a bug with the Healthkit app that forced Apple to remove it from the original iOS 8 release, but it ended up breaking mobile phone service and the TouchID sensor on upgraded handsets.
iOS 8.0.1 was available as an over-the-air update for over an hour before Apple discovered the issue and pulled it from the web. Although not all customers were affected, enough reported problems that Apple released a support document with instructions on how customers can downgrade their afflicted devices back to iOS 8.
Using the latest version of iTunes, connect your phone to your PC or Mac and back up your phone - iCloud backups won't restore to earlier versions, so this is a crucial step if you don't want to lose all your apps, settings, contacts and photos. Next, download the file that corresponds to your handset - iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus. To select the file, press the Shift key (on Windows) or the Option Key (OS X) and click Check for Update. Press the Update button to downgrade to iOS 8.
Apple is now working on iOS 8.0.2, which will fix the bugs introduced in 8.0.1 as well as those still present in iOS 8. That means it should fix issues with third-party keyboards, the Photo library, SMS/MMS messages, Reachability and the Healthkit app. According to the company, it should be released in the "next few days".
Anyone downgrading to iOS 8 will lose access to the Healthkit app, although compatible apps are now being accepted to the iTunes App store ready for when it returns in the next update.
