Re: I use to like my iPhone
This update destroyed so much of what I loved about this phone! I'm amazed that I had to delete so much of what was on my phone to be able to do this update, to then realize it took hardly any of the space I created.
What went wrong with this iOS 8?
Other friends are having issues; loosing valuable information, passwords that were kept in notes that vanished, photos that were saved and more.
Disappointed and totally disgusted
It's a shame you had this issue. Nothing went wrong with iOS 8 at all. I think it may be that you were potentially unaware of how the OTA update works, like a lot of people. It's not a problem, it's why you have support communities such as this to help you. No-one can be expected to know everything about everything so please don't take this as a disparaging remark at all. It's offered in friendship and a genuine desire to help you.
Personally, it all went smoothly. I backed up before updating, as is recommended, and everything went through fine. I used OTA on my iPad and iTunes to update my 5s and experienced no issues at all. I do understand and appreciate that my experience is not indicative of everyone though.
Remember, on an Over The Air update, your device needs to download and cache the install files before installing them so it will ALWAYS take up more space at first before the install files are cleaned after successful installation.. On your computer, it is the computer that downloads and caches the install files ready for installation on your device, so you will never need as much space free on your device. It's the way its always been with software like this and other platforms experience exactly the same, as was mentioned above. I had a similar space issue when I upgraded my HTC One from Android 4.3 to 4.4.
You have a right to be disappointed and disgusted and I would be the same if perhaps I hadn't fully understood the instructions before doing something and had lost data because of it too. In fact, I remember feeling exactly the same as you on an iOS install a good few years back but once I understood what I was supposed to do, it went through fine.
I hope you get it sorted, I really do, and please stick around on the forums and continue to be a valued member. It's times like this where iMore attracts new members and where those of us who have been here a while need to reach out and be understanding to issues that arise from members such as your good self.