Apple Seeds First Beta of iOS 12.1 to Developers With Group FaceTime

Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming iOS 12.1 update to developers, just one day after releasing iOS 12, a major new version of the iOS software.

Registered developers can download the new iOS 12.1 beta from Apple's Developer Center or over-the-air once the proper configuration profile has been installed from the Developer Center.

groupfacetime
It's not clear what features might be included in the iOS 12.1 beta, but Apple removed the Group FaceTime feature from iOS 12 ahead of its launch and promised to introduce it in a future update, which could be iOS 12.1.

The update may also feature new emoji that are said to be in the works and coming in an iOS 12 update later this year.

We'll update this post with details on the new features that are included in iOS 12.1 once we've downloaded the software and have had time to check it out. Apple today also released a new beta version of Xcode, Xcode 10.1.

Update: The iOS 12.1 beta reintroduces support for Group FaceTime, a feature that was removed from iOS 12 ahead of its release. Apple needed more time to test Group FaceTime and said that it would be coming in a software update later this fall. Group FaceTime is designed to let you audio or video chat with up to 32 people at one time.

Related Forum: iOS 12

Top Rated Comments

Enclavean Avatar
66 months ago
Every year after the GM is out i remove my beta profile and tell myself im not installing betas anymore and every year i just end up on betas all year lol
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ck2875 Avatar
66 months ago
For those receiving a new phone or watch on Friday, you may want to wait until you receive your new device if you want to restore from a backup. You won't be able to restore a backup from iOS 12.1 or watchOS 5.1 to a device on iOS 12 or watchOS 5. If you update your current device now, you'll have to set up the new devices on Friday as a new device, install the beta profiles, update, reset the device, and then restore from a backup.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bornee35 Avatar
66 months ago
Do we need a new profile for this?
Tinder
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bornee35 Avatar
66 months ago
for a 12.1 its terrible how only one new feature nothing seems new
Because Tim Cook hates you on a personal level.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MrGimper Avatar
66 months ago
Must. Wait. Til. Friday.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
coolfactor Avatar
66 months ago
They wasted no time, lol
This is normal for software development. It's not linear.

It doesn't go "develop - stop - release - develop - stop - release".

There are several "develop" branches that co-exist in parallel. Only once a branch reaches a certain stability and completeness does it gets released, but already several other branches have moved forward, and then those changes get folded in when they are ready. Quite often different teams are assigned to different branches. Some branches might be for new features, some might be bug fixes. Software development is not just "one thing", "one project", but many projects that are being coordinated together. That's why Apple was able to create a build of iOS 12 without Group FaceTime, because it's being developed in its own branch and can be included or excluded, as needed.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 16 Mock Header With Dynamic Island

Skipping the iPhone 15 Pro? Here's What's Rumored for iPhone 16 Pro

Friday September 22, 2023 9:29 am PDT by
Are you skipping the iPhone 15 Pro and waiting another year to upgrade? If so, we already have some iPhone 16 Pro rumors for you. Below, we recap new features rumored for the iPhone 16 Pro models so far:Larger displays: The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be equipped with larger 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, respectively, according to Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain...
Update Your iPhone 15 to iOS 17

Warning: Update Your iPhone 15 to iOS 17.0.2 Before Transferring Data From Another iPhone

Friday September 22, 2023 6:36 am PDT by
If you are unboxing an iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max today, make sure to update the device to iOS 17.0.2 before transferring data to the device from another iPhone, or else you might encounter issues. iOS 17.0.2 is only available for the iPhone 15 lineup. Apple says the update fixes an issue that may prevent transferring data directly from another iPhone...
iOS 17

Apple Releases iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 With Bug Fixes, Plus iOS 17.0.2 for iPhone 15 Models

Thursday September 21, 2023 10:28 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates for the iPhone and the iPad, adding bug fixes to the new software. The iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates come just a few days after Apple launched iOS 17 and iPadOS 17. The software, which is build 21A340, can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. There is a...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 double tap gesture 230912

watchOS 10.1 to Enable Apple Watch's New 'Double Tap' Gesture

Thursday September 21, 2023 12:52 pm PDT by
The new Double Tap gesture for the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 will be enabled starting with watchOS 10.1, according to Marques Brownlee, host of the popular tech-focused YouTube channel MKBHD. The first beta of watchOS 10.1 will likely be available by next week, and Apple announced that the software update will be released next month. Brownlee shared his impressions...