Connect with us

Apple

5 Things to Know About the iOS 12.1.2 Update

Published

on

Apple’s released a new version of iOS 12 and the iOS 12.1.2 update is currently available for all iPhone, iPod, and iPod touch models capable of running iOS 12.

In late 2018, Apple put the iOS 12.1.2 update into beta with new bug fixes. The release came just a few days after the company released its iOS 12.1.1 update.

In a bit of a surprise, the company’ quickly pulled the iOS 12.1.2 update out of beta and released it for all iOS 12 users bringing additional bug fixes and changes to the mobile platform.

The iOS 12.1.2 is another point upgrade, but it contains important bug fixes for lingering iOS 12 problems on the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max.

In this guide to the iOS 12.1.2 update we’ll take you through the most important things to know about the new firmware. Our walkthrough includes a quick look at iOS 12.1.2’s performance and download size, iOS 12.1.2 problems, the iOS 12 downgrade, and what’s next from Apple.

iOS 12.1.2 Reviews

iOS 12.1.1 was a point upgrade but it required a significant chunk of space to download. iOS 12.1.2 is a much smaller release for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

If you’re moving your phone from iOS 12.1.1, your download is tiny. The iPhone X’s iOS 12.1.2 update is just 83.5MB. You should be able to download it in seconds.

If you’re running an older version of iOS 12 or if your device is still running iOS 11, you’re going to see a much bigger download size because you’ll get the features and fixes from the updates you skipped inside your version of iOS 12.1.2.

As for the iOS 12.1.2 installation, it shouldn’t take more than 5-10 minutes to complete if you’re coming from iOS 12.1.1. It took just five minutes to install on the iPhone X and about five minutes on the iPhone 5s as well.

For more on the iOS 12.1.2 download and installation, take a look at our guide.

We’ve been using the iOS 12.1.2 update on a handful of devices for an extended period of time (we also used the iOS 12.1.2 beta) and here are our quick impressions of its performance:

Connectivity

  • Battery life is stable on our phones and tablets.
  • Wi-Fi is stable and fast.
  • No Bluetooth issues thus far.
  • GPS and cellular data are functioning normally.

Apps

  • Third-party apps including Twitter, Slack, Asana, Gmail, Chrome, and Spotify are working fine.
  • First party apps like Safari, Podcasts, and Calendar are stable.
  • Netflix has crashed once already.

Speed

  • iOS 12.1.2 is as fast as iOS 12.1.1.

If you’ve been dealing with bugs and performance issues you should think about installing iOS 12.1.2 in the near future. If you’re having a great experience on iOS 12.1.1 or an older version of iOS, you might want to wait for more long-term feedback to emerge.

If you need iOS 12.1.2 feedback right now, check out our reasons to, and not to, install the iOS 12.1.2 update on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch right now.

We’ve also published our iOS 12.1.2 reviews for the iPhone X, iPhone 8iPhone 7, iPhone 6siPhone 6, iPhone 5s, and iPhone SE so take a look at those if you need more feedback about the update’s performance.

iOS 12.1.2 Problems

The iOS 12.1.2 update went through a short beta but we’re hearing about issues with the new software.

iPhone and iPad users are complaining about iOS 12.1.2 download and installation, weird battery drain, issues with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth problems, Exchange problems, and issues with Touch ID. We’re also hearing about issues with various first and third-party applications.

If you run into iOS 12.1.2 problems on your device take a look at our list of fixes for the most common iOS 12 problems. We’ve also released tips to improve iOS 12 performance and tips to improve iOS 12 battery life. These could help.

If you can’t stand the iOS 12.1.2 update’s performance on your device you can also try downgrading. Apple’s signing off on iOS 12.1.1 which means you can drop down to it iOS 12.1.2 gives you issues.

This option will close up soon so you’ll need to move quickly.

iOS 12.1.2 Update: What’s New

iOS 12.1.2 is a maintenance update which means it comes with bug fixes and under-the-hood improvements. It doesn’t have any security patches on board.

Apple’s official change log notes two bug fixes:

  • Fixes bugs with eSIM activation for iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max,
  • Addresses an issue that could affect cellular connectivity in Turkey for iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max.

There’s also a new animation for force closing apps in China which you can see in the video below. Apple did this to address Qualcomm patents.

Developers digging through the beta discovered a few other changes. These included:

  • Audio performance when using some third-party apps is improved on iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation) and iPad Pro 11-inch.
  • An issue with the brightness jumping up and down around 15% on XS Max (maybe on XS too) when True Tone or Night Shift are enabled.
  • An issue where the lock screen keyboard would still register clicks and prevent clicking on home screen icons if it’s not displayed on the home screen right after.

Apple’s released a new version of iOS 12.1.2 for the iPhone with build number 16C104″ (the original iOS 12.1.2 update is called “16C101”) though it’s unclear what the new build has on board. We assume there are bug fixes but Apple hasn’t released an updated change log.

Those who haven’t updated to iOS 12.1.2 yet will likely see the new build. Those who’ve already moved to iOS 12.1.2 won’t see a prompt.

iOS 12.1.2 Jailbreak

Jailbreak developers haven’t released an iOS 12 jailbreak and it’s unclear if we’ll get one in 2019.

The only way you can jailbreak a device right now is if it’s running an older version of iOS 11. Unfortunately, there’s no way to downgrade to iOS 11.

For more on the iOS 12 jailbreak, check out our guide.

What’s Next

Apple’s confirmed an iOS 12.1.3 update and the software is in beta ahead of an unknown release date.

The company is currently on iOS 12.1.3 beta 2 which means an official release is likely coming sometime in early 2019.

If you’re struggling on iOS 12.1.2 or just want to give the new software a try before it’s officially released to the public, you can do so via the iOS 12.1.3 beta.

The iOS 12.1.3 beta is available for all devices capable of running iOS 12.

4 Reasons Not to Install iOS 12.5.6 & 10 Reasons You Should

Install iOS 12.5.6 for Better Security

Install iOS 12.5.6 for Better Security

If you're on the fence, here's one of the best reasons to install iOS 12.5.6 right away.

iOS 12.5.6 has a vital security patch on board and it will protect your device(s) from harm. If you want the details, head over to Apple's website.

If you missed the iOS 12.5.5 update, it brought three security patches to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. You can learn more about the trio on Apple's security site

If you missed iOS 12.5.4, you'll get that update's important security upgrades with your iOS 12.5.6 update. If you're interested in the particulars, head on over to Apple's website for more.

If you skipped iOS 12.5.3, you'll get its security patches with your upgrade. Both of its patches were related to WebKit. If you want to learn more about them, head on over to Apple's security site

If you skipped iOS 12.5.2, you'll also get its security patch with your upgrade. You can read more about it over on Apple's website

If you also skipped iOS 12.5, you'll also get its patch with your upgrade. Apple's outlined the update's patch in detail on its security site

If you missed iOS 12.4.9, you'll also get its four security patches with your upgrade. You can read more about those right here

If you skipped iOS 12.4.7, you also get the update's three security patches (two for the Mail app and one for Wi-Fi) with your upgrade to iOS 12.5.6.

If you're running software that's older than Apple's iOS 12.4.4 update, you'll want to download iOS 12.5.6 in the near future because it brings iOS 12.4.4's security patch to your device. You can read about it right here.

If you're running software older than iOS 12.4.2, you'll get an its patch with your upgrade. You can read about the security contents of iOS 12.4.2 right here

If you're on software that's older than iOS 12.4.1, you'll get iOS 12.4.1's security patch with your iOS 12.5.6 update. You can read about that patch right here

If you're on software that's older than iOS 12.4, you get iOS 12.4's patches with your iOS 12.5.6 update. 

iOS 12.4 brought 19 security patches to the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. If you're interested in the specifics, you can read about them on Apple's security site

If you're running software older than iOS 12.3, your iOS 12.5.6 update carries iOS 12.3's security patches on board. The iOS 12.3 update brought 23 patches and you can read about all of them right here on Apple's site. 

If you're on software that's older than iOS 12.2, you'll get iOS 12.2's security patches with your version of iOS 12.5.6.

iOS 12.2 brought a whopping 41 security patches to iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. You can read more about the iOS 12.2's patches over on the company's website

It's important to note that Apple's iOS 12.2 update patched up an exploit that allowed websites to use motion sensors to "fingerprint" devices.

The exploit, discovered by researchers in Europe, uses JavaScript to snag data from a device's accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer when the user visits an infected website. If the attack is successful, a device can be tracked around the internet. 

Fortunately, Apple's patched up the issue. If you skipped it, you'll probably want to move to iOS 12.5.6 soon.

If you're on software older than iOS 12.1.4, you get four important security patches including fixes for a widespread FaceTime eavesdropping bug that lets you call someone via FaceTime and hear the audio coming from their phone before they pick up the phone.

If you're on software older than iOS 12.1.3, you get some additional patches with your version of iOS 12.5.6. Again, they're baked into your upgrade.

Apple lists a grand total of 23 patches on board iOS 12.1.3 and you can read about all of them over on Apple's website. 

If you're on software older than iOS 12.1.1, you should install the iOS 12.5.6 update on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch today. 

The iOS 12.1.1 update brought 17 patches for potential security exploits. They'll will help protect your phone. You can read about them here.

If you're running software older than iOS 12.1, you'll get 24 patches from that update with your version of iOS 12.5.5.

If you're on software that's older than iOS 12.0.1, your iOS 12.5.6 update brings two additional patches. Both patches are for potential lock screen exploits.

Long story long, if you store sensitive data on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, you have some really good reasons to upgrade to iOS 12.5.6 today.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.