Roger Fingas
Apple on Tuesday released iOS 12.1, bringing features originally anticipated alongside iOS 12.0, namely Group FaceTime, and dual-SIM support on the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR.
The update can be downloaded over-the-air via the iOS Settings app, and is also available via iTunes when a device is connected to a Mac or Windows PC.
Group FaceTime supports up to 32 people, making the feature more useful for families and businesses. Dual-SIM support lets people use two cellular plans on the same device, albeit with restrictions on what the second plan can do. In most regions the second SIM is actually an Apple eSIM, though with Chinese iPhones, people must use a second physical card.
Other changes in iOS 12.1 include 70 new emoji, Depth Control in real-time Camera previews, and a fix for "beautygate," which caused photos shot with the iPhone XS' front-facing camera to show artificially smooth skin.
Bugfixes extend to charging problems with iPhones and iPads, and a variety of smaller issues.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
8 Comments
not in UK.
I updated my iPhone 8, and the settings icon still has one red update showing, which I cannot trace to any of the settings menus. Anyone else have this problem? (it looks as if an update is still available, but not really)
Does anyone know if any of the major US carriers are ready to implement the dual sim card for their customers? I have ATT. Weren’t the carriers provided info beforehand so they could be ready to implement it?
I spoke to AT&T just now. They are not ready to support the eSIM due to "Visual Voicemail" issues. Meaning they haven't properly tested or spoken to Apple regarding the ins and outs of how the eSIM works. #ATTFail. They suggest they might support it later this year ... but I'm not holding my breath.