Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming iOS 12.1 update to its public beta testing group, two days after releasing the beta to developers and three days after the launch of iOS 12, a new major version of the iOS software.
Beta testers who have signed up for Apple's beta testing program will receive the iOS 12 beta update over-the-air after installing the proper certificate on an iOS device.
Those who want to join the beta testing program can sign up on Apple's beta testing website, which gives users access to iOS, macOS, and tvOS betas.
The iOS 12.1 update reintroduces Group FaceTime, a major iOS 12 feature that was pulled during the beta testing period because it needed more work. Apple promised to deliver the feature in an upcoming update, which looks like it will be iOS 12.1.
Group FaceTime is designed to let you audio or video chat with up to 32 people at one time on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Calls can also be answered in an audio-only capacity using an Apple Watch or the HomePod.
There are other features that Apple has said are coming in future betas, including eSIM support and the ECG functionality and app, but those do not appear to be present in iOS 12.1, nor do new emojis that have been promised for the fall.
Thursday August 13, 2026 4:20 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Apple will introduce at least five new devices at its iPhone-centric event next month, and it's also possible we'll get devices waiting on Siri AI like the Apple TV.
iPhone 18 Pro
The iPhone 18 Pro is going to look like the iPhone 17 Pro, but with a smaller Dynamic Island. It's getting some internal updates, including a new Wide camera with a variable aperture for more control over lighting ...
Friday August 14, 2026 12:15 pm PDT by Juli Clover
For the first time since Apple started selling standard and "Pro" iPhones, we're not going to get an entry-level iPhone model this fall. Apple doesn't plan to release an iPhone 18 in September, and will only launch the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and foldable iPhone Ultra. The lower-cost iPhone 18 won't come out until spring 2027.
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Friday August 14, 2026 6:24 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple will release iOS 27 in September, and despite the company's focus this year on refining its flagship operating system and nixing bugs, there are still many additional features on the way, not least of which is Apple's new context-aware Siri, re-tooled for the generative AI era.
This year's major iPhone software update isn't all about AI, though, as the following feature list...
I really hope they give me control over where the date and time appear on my iPad without the XS notch. Odd how the time is still in the center of my iPhone SE display running iOS12 but not my iPad.
I also hope they give me control over where the emoji key is positioned on my iPad keyboard. Maybe I just need some more time with the new placement, but I’m getting tired of cycling through the emoji keyboards when I’m trying to type numbers and symbols.
It is known. Most of my friends and family use iPhones, and I can't think of anyone who hasn't had problems with iMessage. If you look online a bit, you'll see plenty of complaints. But no similar issues with Facebook Messenger, Whatsapp, etc. Maybe you've got the most simple setup on brand new hardware or something.
If you search "Facebook Messenger out of order" on Google, you get threads about iMessage being out of order, lol.
good grief, there are 1.3B IOS users are you are rellying on people posting online as your gauge of anything!! Man. That's crazy. Even if 0.001% of people have issues, even if it is related to their own crap network, or connectivity, you'll get tens of thousands online "clamoring" about it. Means nothing at all.
As for messenger, you got to be kidding. There are plenty of crap happening there too.
Apple's first foldable iPhone, with a book-style design featuring a ~5.5-inch outer display and a ~7.8-inch inner display with a minimal crease down the middle.
