Apple iOS 16.1.2 Release: Should You Upgrade? - Forbes

Apple has released iOS 16.1.2 for each iOS 16-compatible iPhones up of its large iOS 16.2 update, owed aboriginal this month. It is an important but constricted (and successful immoderate ways frustrating) release. Here’s everything you request to know.

Apple iOS 16

Apple

Who Is It For?

Apple iOS 16.1.2 is disposable for each iOS 16-compatible devices, namely the iPhone 8/iPhone X and newer. iOS 16 dropped enactment for the iPhone 6S and 7 ranges and the iPod Touch. There is nary iPadOS 16.1.2 update.

Given Apple’s confirmation of auto-update delays, the update tin beryllium triggered manually by navigating to Settings > General > Software Update. If you are moving newer beta bundle (see ‘The Road Ahead’ conception astatine the end), you indispensable unenroll your device earlier the update appears.

Note: If you are inactive moving iOS 15, you tin work my iOS 15.7.1 Upgrade Guide here.

The Deal Breakers

The archetypal 24 hours for iOS 16.1.2 are encouraging. There are isolated reports of problems with search, cellular connectivity (ironic fixed the hole list, spot the adjacent section), and Bluetooth headset measurement control. No caller wide bugs person been reported astatine this stage.

However, the biggest vexation with iOS 16.1.2 is its constricted scope. A litany of iOS 16 bugs remain, and users proceed to voice their irritation that update aft update fails to code them. iOS 16.1.2 again continues this very very well-worn theme.

So What Do You Get?

iOS 16.1.2 contains lone 2 bug fixes, with Apple’s merchandise notes stating:

This update provides important information updates and the pursuing enhancements for your iPhone: - Improved compatibility with wireless carriers - Crash Detection optimizations connected iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models

The improved wireless bearer compatibility is thing of a mystery. Apple offers nary further explanation, and it doesn’t subordinate to 5G enactment for iPhones successful India, which is coming successful iOS 16.2 (more successful ‘The Road Ahead’ conception below). Some show issues have been reported, but close now, we don’t cognize what carriers oregon countries volition payment from the changes.

Apple needs to beryllium much explicit here, and I person asked the institution for details. I volition update this usher when/if I person a reply.

On the different hand, Crash Detection optimizations are agelong overdue. The feature, which itself was a catch-up to the ‘Car Crash Detection’ diagnostic disposable connected Android since 2019, has made headlines for triggering connected rollercoasters, skis slopes and more.

Aside from this, I person not recovered immoderate fixes omitted from the authoritative merchandise notes (something Apple has done with expanding regularity successful caller years). Apple did promise to spot an advertising-related bug astatine the commencement of November, but it doesn’t look to person made it into iOS 16.1.2 either.

iOS 16.1.2 Security

At the clip of publication, Apple’s official information page has not listed immoderate information fixes for iOS 16.1.2 but does tease “details disposable soon.” I volition update this conception erstwhile that accusation is published.

Apple iOS 16.1.2 Verdict: Upgrade

For keen upgraders, I don’t spot immoderate show-stopping issues with iOS 16.1.2. While the bearer improvements are a mystery, the Crash Detection improvements are indispensable and should trim the fig of mendacious calls made to exigency services.

For cautious upgraders, enactment I volition support this usher updated and supply a last verdict successful a week. iOS 16.2 is simply a fashionable people for galore iPhone owners inactive moving iOS 15, but Apple’s feature-heavy releases often incorporate much bugs than the much insignificant updates. As such, it would beryllium adjuvant if iOS 16.1.2 could beryllium a (relatively) reliable stepping stone.

The Road Ahead

Apple iOS 16.2 has present deed beta 4, and the feature-focused merchandise includes aggregate caller features, specified arsenic the collaborative Freeform whiteboard app and a caller Home app architecture.

Critically, iOS 16.2 besides adds enactment for Apple’s caller ‘Rapid Security Response’ feature. This allows information patches to beryllium installed connected iPhones and iPads autarkic of caller iOS versions. Android has operated this mode for immoderate clip and issues monthly information patches. Join the Apple Beta Software Program if you’d similar to effort iOS 16.2 earlier it launches towards the extremity of December.

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