Ios 12 On Iphone 6 Was The Upgrade From Ios 11 Actually Worth It

For millions of iPhone 6 users, the release of iOS 12 in 2018 wasn’t just another software update—it was a lifeline. After widespread frustration with iOS 11’s sluggish performance on older hardware, Apple made a public commitment: iOS 12 would prioritize stability and speed over flashy new features. The question remained: did it deliver? For iPhone 6 owners still clinging to their beloved devices in 2018, the decision to upgrade from iOS 11 to iOS 12 carried real stakes—battery life, app compatibility, responsiveness, and long-term usability all hung in the balance.

This article dives deep into the real-world impact of that upgrade, examining benchmarks, user experiences, feature improvements, and long-term implications for one of Apple’s most iconic smartphones.

Performance: From Laggy to Livable

The most immediate difference users noticed after upgrading from iOS 11 to iOS 12 was speed. Apps launched faster, keyboard responses were snappier, and overall system navigation felt significantly more fluid. Independent tests by tech reviewers confirmed this: iPhone 6 launch times for frequently used apps improved by up to 40% under iOS 12 compared to iOS 11.

Apple had openly acknowledged iOS 11’s shortcomings on older devices. At WWDC 2018, Craig Federighi stated, “We’ve made iOS 12 dramatically faster for all of our customers.” This wasn’t marketing fluff—it was engineering focus. By optimizing background processes, reducing animation lag, and streamlining core services, iOS 12 brought the iPhone 6 back from the brink of obsolescence.

Tip: After upgrading, reboot your iPhone 6 once to clear residual iOS 11 caches—this often improves initial post-update responsiveness.

Battery Life and Efficiency Improvements

One of the hidden benefits of iOS 12 was its impact on power consumption. While Apple didn’t market specific battery gains, users reported longer screen-on time and more consistent battery drain patterns. Why? Because faster app launches mean apps spend less time active in the foreground, and optimized background activity reduces CPU strain.

A mini case study illustrates this well:

Maria, a freelance photographer using her iPhone 6 as a secondary device for client communication and photo backups, upgraded from iOS 11.4.1 to iOS 12.1. She noticed her phone lasted through a full workday without charging—something unheard of since late 2017. \"It’s not that the battery got better,\" she said. \"It’s that the phone isn’t fighting itself anymore.\"

This aligns with data from Battery University, which notes that inefficient software increases energy draw even when hardware remains unchanged. iOS 12’s leaner codebase meant less processing overhead, translating directly into extended usable life for aging lithium-ion batteries.

New Features vs. Core Stability

iOS 12 wasn’t just about making old devices faster—it also introduced meaningful new features, many of which were fully supported on the iPhone 6:

• Screen Time: Monitor app usage, set limits, and manage digital wellbeing.
• Grouped Notifications: Cleaner lock screen and notification center.
• Siri Shortcuts: Automate tasks (though limited compared to newer models).
• Improved Photos Search: Better facial recognition and keyword filtering.
• ARKit 2: Enhanced augmented reality support, allowing richer AR experiences.

While some features like Memoji or Depth Control were excluded from the iPhone 6 due to hardware limitations, the core additions were functional and useful. Most importantly, they were implemented without sacrificing the performance gains Apple promised.

Security and Long-Term Support

Perhaps the most compelling reason to upgrade was security. Apple ended major security updates for iOS 11 in July 2018. Devices stuck on iOS 11 after that date became increasingly vulnerable to exploits. In contrast, iOS 12 received regular security patches until November 2019—over a year of critical protection.

Consider this timeline:

1. September 2017: iPhone 6 ships with iOS 11.
2. September 2018: iOS 12 released; iOS 11 no longer receives feature updates.
3. July 2018–November 2019: Security fixes continue only for iOS 12 and later.
4. November 2019: Final security patch for iOS 12 on iPhone 6.

Staying on iOS 11 meant going unprotected for over a year—a significant risk for anyone using their phone for email, banking, or messaging.

“Security isn’t optional. If your device can’t receive patches, it’s not safe to use for personal data.” — Dr. Lisa Chen, Cybersecurity Researcher at Stanford University

Comparison: iOS 11 vs. iOS 12 on iPhone 6

Feature	iOS 11 on iPhone 6	iOS 12 on iPhone 6
App Launch Speed	Slow, frequent delays	Noticeably faster, responsive
Keyboard Responsiveness	Laggy, especially in Messages	Immediate feedback
System Crashes	Common during multitasking	Rare, more stable
Battery Drain	Fast, inconsistent	More predictable, slightly improved
Security Updates	Ended mid-2018	Continued through 2019
New Features	None after initial release	Screen Time, Siri Shortcuts, ARKit 2

When the Upgrade Wasn’t Worth It

Despite the overwhelming positives, there were edge cases where upgrading wasn’t ideal:

• Jailbroken Devices: Users relying on jailbreak tools had to wait months—or abandon them entirely—since iOS 12 initially lacked compatible exploits.
• Extremely Old Batteries: iPhones with battery health below 75% sometimes struggled even under iOS 12. In these cases, a battery replacement paired with the upgrade yielded the best results.
• Preference for Simplicity: Some users disliked Screen Time’s monitoring or found grouped notifications harder to parse.

Tip: Check your battery health ( Settings > Battery > Battery Health) before upgrading. If maximum capacity is under 80%, consider a $29 Apple battery service first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the iPhone 6 run iOS 13?

No. The iPhone 6 is not compatible with iOS 13 or any later version. iOS 12 was its final major operating system update.

Did iOS 12 fix the “white flash” bug when opening the camera?

Partially. While the issue persisted in early iOS 12 builds, later updates (iOS 12.2 and beyond) reduced the frequency significantly. However, some users still experienced it occasionally.

Is it safe to use an iPhone 6 today?

From a software perspective, no. Without security updates since 2019, the device is vulnerable to modern threats. It can be used for offline tasks or as a media player, but not recommended for sensitive activities like banking or email.

Action Checklist Before Upgrading

1. Back up your iPhone via iCloud or iTunes.
2. Check battery health—replace if below 80%.
3. Ensure you have Wi-Fi and at least 2GB of free storage.
4. Disable Find My iPhone temporarily if restoring from backup.
5. Upgrade during off-peak hours to avoid Apple server congestion.
6. After install, restart the device and re-enable security features.

Conclusion: Yes, It Was Worth It

For the vast majority of iPhone 6 users, upgrading from iOS 11 to iOS 12 wasn’t just worthwhile—it was essential. The performance gains revitalized a device many had written off. Security updates extended its safe usability. And thoughtful new features added real value without taxing limited hardware.

Apple rarely makes retroactive promises about software optimization. But with iOS 12, they delivered on one of the most important commitments in recent iOS history: respecting older devices. For the iPhone 6, that meant an extra year or two of reliable, everyday use—something few expected in 2018.

💬 Upgraded your iPhone 6 to iOS 12? Share your experience. Did it breathe new life into your device, or were the gains minimal? Your story could help others decide.