Has there ever been a solution to the extreme awkwardness of installing plugins under iOS? Referring to iPhones and iPads.

As far as I know, this can only be done by routing the plugins folder from a host computer into the iOS device via iTunes.

Has a better way come along? Some players do not have access to a host computer and are unable to use plugins at all.

I have no idea, but this isn't a Bug.

We don't have discussions on Bugs, unless it's an explicitly provided and supported feature that is not functioning as intended.

Plugins on iOS are functioning as intended. If they completely cease to be available to iOS players, because of Apple platform changes, that's unfortunate, but it is still functioning as intended.

Feature-changes, like new ways of supporting Plugins, should be directed to Suggestions.

Platform discussions can be directed to platform-specific forums, or General if those are considered too low-traffic.

It is extremely important that the Bugs forum only be specifically focused on Bugs, and be free of clutter and noise.