Apple iOS 12.1.4, An Urgent Release for iOS 12 Compatible Devices
An essential upgrade in iOS history is here. So should iPhone and iPad owners upgrade, Here’s everything you need to know…
ForbesWho Is It For?
iOS 12.1.4 is an urgent release for all iOS 12 compatible devices: iPhone 5S or later, iPad mini 2 or later, and 6th generation iPod touch or later. Compatible devices should automatically be prompted to upgrade, but you can also trigger this manually by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Beta testers running iOS 12.2 (more about this at the end), you must unroll your device for iOS 12.1.4 to appear.
Weighing in at approximately 500MB, this is a surprisingly large upgrade for a dedicated bug fix. That said, it’s an important fix in iPhone history.
The Deal Breakers
Yes, iOS 12.1.4 will break jailbroken devices. This could be enough to put some off, given jailbreakers are so far behind current iOS releases that you’re unlikely to be affected by The Big One.
As for early user reports across forums and social media, iOS 12.1.4 does introduce new problems and fails to fix existing ones. Instances of new bugs remain isolated (I’ll update this report should that change) but include broken voice memos, photo glitches, email woes, and performance issues with AirPods playback and TouchID.
As for existing bugs, ongoing WiFi issues have yet to be stamped out, and iPhone owners are still reporting disabled carrier data – something that has hit users worldwide.
That said, iOS 12.1.4 remains an essential upgrade. And this is why…
So What Do You Get?
Clarifying what were initially very vague release notes (“iOS 12.1.4 provides important security updates and is recommended for all users”), Apple has since told MacRumors the update does indeed fix the headline-grabbing FaceTime flaw which allowed callers to access iPhone audio and video undetected.
In addition, Apple’s official security page states a flaw in Live Photos has been fixed along with two serious memory exploits which a Google security engineer (credited with finding them) confirmed were being used by hackers to attack iPhones in the wild.
Apple iOS 12.1.4 Verdict: Upgrade
It is clear that iOS 12.1.4 is far from bug-free, but, given the severity of the FaceTime flaw it fixes, it must be considered an essential update. The only exception is iPhones and iPads running much older versions of iOS since the vulnerability only affected devices running iOS 12.1 or later.
Note: this article will be continually updated, so be sure to bookmark it and check back to see if any further problems or fixes have emerged. This is an update most iPhone, and iPad owners must install.
The Road Ahead
Apple is beta testing iOS 12.2, bringing HomeKit TV Support, Home Controls for TVs, AirQuality to Apple Maps, upgrades to Safari, design tweaks to multiple apps, and much more.
That said, Apple must also refocus on fixing the severe WiFi and cellular data problems that continue to hamper many iPhone owners.
A version of this article appeared in print on Feb 9, 2019, on Consumer Tech category of the Forbes edition with the headline: Apple iOS 12.1.4 Release: Should You Upgrade? written by