iOS 12.1.4 Now Available With Group FaceTime Bug Fix

by

Apple today released a new iOS 12.1.4 update for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, with the new software designed to fix an insidious privacy-invading Group FaceTime bug that could be exploited to eavesdrop on conversations.

The new iOS 12.1.4 software can be downloaded on all eligible devices over-the-air using the Settings app. To download it, go to Settings --> General --> Software update.


Though Apple's release notes for the update list "security updates" without going into specifics, the issue that's being fixed here is the Group ‌FaceTime‌ vulnerability. After the bug was widely publicized last week, Apple promised a fix, which was delayed to this week.

The ‌FaceTime‌ bug allowed someone to spy on you without your permission or knowledge. By exploiting the bug, a person could initiate a ‌FaceTime‌ call with you and then add themselves to the call again to force a Group ‌FaceTime‌ connection.

When this happened, the bug caused the person to be able to hear the audio on your end, despite the fact that the call was never answered and still looked like a standard ‌FaceTime‌ incoming call interface. In some situations, if you pressed the side button to silence a call, it would even give the person access to your video.

It was a serious bug, so serious that Apple took its entire Group ‌FaceTime‌ server offline as the company took the time to prepare the iOS 12.1.4 update. The Group ‌FaceTime‌ bug was publicized last Monday and Group ‌FaceTime‌ has been offline since then.

The Group ‌FaceTime‌ bug may have required some major under-the-hood changes to ‌FaceTime‌ given that it took Apple nearly two weeks to fix the issue. Following today's update, the Group ‌FaceTime‌ bug will no longer be able to be exploited and Apple will be able to bring its Group ‌FaceTime‌ server back online.

It continues to be unclear just how long the Group ‌FaceTime‌ bug was available for. Group ‌FaceTime‌ was introduced last October, and Apple has not let us know if the bug has been around since that launch date or if it was introduced in a later iOS 12 update.

Tags: FaceTime Guide, FaceTime Listening Bug
Related Forum: iOS 12

Popular Stories

apple store down feature

Here's Why the Apple Store is Going Down

Thursday November 27, 2025 1:01 pm PST by
Apple's online store is going down for a few hours on a rolling country-by-country basis right now, but do not get your hopes up for new products. Apple takes its online store down for a few hours ahead of Black Friday every year to tease/prepare for its annual gift card offer with the purchase of select products. The store already went down and came back online in Australia and New Zealand, ...
Read Full Article • 18 comments
iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket is Now Completely Sold Out Worldwide

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:16 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. However, it is now completely sold out in all countries where it was released. iPhone Pocket became available to order on Apple's online store starting Friday, November 14, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, ...
Read Full Article • 138 comments
New Intel Logo

Apple and Intel Rumored to Partner on Mac Chips Again in a New Way

Friday November 28, 2025 7:33 am PST by
While all Macs are now powered by Apple's custom-designed chips, a new rumor claims that Apple may rekindle its partnership with Intel, albeit in a new and limited way. Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said Intel is expected to begin shipping Apple's lowest-end M-series chip as early as mid-2027. Kuo said Apple plans to utilize Intel's 18A process, which is the "earliest...
Read Full Article • 96 comments
streaming black friday 2025

Best Black Friday Streaming Deals - Save Big on Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, and More

Thursday November 27, 2025 1:14 pm PST by
We've been focusing on deals on physical products over the past few weeks, but Black Friday is also a great time of year to purchase a streaming membership. Some of the biggest services have great discounts for new and select returning members this week, including Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When...
Read Full Article • 22 comments
iphone air camera

iPhone Air Flop Sparks Industry Retreat From Ultra-Thin Phones

Thursday November 27, 2025 3:14 am PST by
Apple's disappointing iPhone Air sales are causing major Chinese mobile vendors to scrap or freeze their own ultra-thin phone projects, according to reports coming out of Asia. Since the ‌iPhone Air‌ launched in September, there have been reports of poor sales and manufacturing cuts, while Apple's supply chain has scaled back shipments and production. Apple supplier Foxconn has...
Read Full Article • 237 comments
iphone black friday gold

The Best Black Friday iPhone Deals Still Available

Friday November 28, 2025 6:24 am PST by
Cellular carriers have always offered big savings on the newest iPhone models during the holidays, and Black Friday 2025 sales have kicked off at AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and more. Right now we're tracking notable offers on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air. For even more savings, keep an eye on older models during the holiday shopping season. Note: MacRumors is...
Read Full Article • 3 comments
Apple Foldable Thumb

Foldable iPhone to Debut These Three Breakthrough Features

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:09 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in fall 2026, and it's shaping up to include three standout features that could set it apart from the competition. The book-style foldable will reportedly feature an industry-first 24-megapixel under-display camera built into the inner display, according to a recent JP Morgan equity research report. That...
Read Full Article • 130 comments

Top Rated Comments

AngerDanger Avatar
AngerDanger
89 months ago


Still really digging the all caps "MAJOR" in the title of the video, but I think the thumbnail needs more work to really grab people's attention.



So is Group FaceTime re enabled server side? Or do they wait for a certain percent to upgrade? Those on 12.1.3 will still be vulnerable correct?
I presume Group FaceTime is re-enabled server side for all those who make a FaceTime call with the newest version of iOS. It probably remains disabled for earlier versions.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dumastudetto Avatar
dumastudetto
89 months ago
Only Apple can do this.
Imagine if this problem was on Android, users would be waiting for years (probably forever) for an update fix it.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Baymowe335 Avatar
Baymowe335
89 months ago
It’s about time Apple. Only a week behind......but who even uses Group FaceTime anyways? Might as well update just in case
Should they have rushed out a fix to save a week? They disabled it on the server side.

You people are priceless.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tny Avatar
tny
89 months ago
Just installed phone seems a lot more responsive.
I believe the canonical expression is "snappier."
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cableguy84 Avatar
cableguy84
89 months ago
Just installed phone seems a lot more responsive.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
44267547 Avatar
44267547
89 months ago
but who even uses Group FaceTime anyways?
Really? Broaden your imagination. This is a _huge_ tool for companies for communicating when they can’t congregate together or if employees are spread about, or family members that are set apart that can’t can see each other regularly.

The Agency that I work for, is already planning on using group FaceTime for when we have a scheduled meeting, when not all the employees can attend because we work different shifts/hours. I would say this a nice advantage to have when I can be at home and talk to my supervisor/other fellow colleagues direct with this new feature.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments