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

iOS 26

15 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 26.2

Friday December 5, 2025 9:40 am PST by
Apple is about to release iOS 26.2, the second major point update for iPhones since iOS 26 was rolled out in September, and there are at least 15 notable changes and improvements worth checking out. We've rounded them up below. Apple is expected to roll out iOS 26.2 to compatible devices sometime between December 8 and December 16. When the update drops, you can check Apple's servers for the ...
Read Full Article • 44 comments
Intel Inside iPhone Feature

Apple's Return to Intel Rumored to Extend to iPhone

Friday December 5, 2025 10:08 am PST by
Intel is expected to begin supplying some Mac and iPad chips in a few years, and the latest rumor claims the partnership might extend to the iPhone. In a research note with investment firm GF Securities this week, obtained by MacRumors, analyst Jeff Pu said he and his colleagues "now expect" Intel to reach a supply deal with Apple for at least some non-pro iPhone chips starting in 2028....
Read Full Article • 145 comments
Photos App Icon Liquid Glass

John Gruber Shares Scathing Commentary About Apple's Departing Software Design Chief

Thursday December 4, 2025 9:30 am PST by
In a statement shared with Bloomberg on Wednesday, Apple confirmed that its software design chief Alan Dye will be leaving. Apple said Dye will be succeeded by Stephen Lemay, who has been a software designer at the company since 1999. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that Dye will lead a new creative studio within the company's AR/VR division Reality Labs. On his blog Daring Fireball,...
Read Full Article • 317 comments
ive and altman

Jony Ive's OpenAI Device Barred From Using 'io' Name

Friday December 5, 2025 6:22 am PST by
A U.S. appeals court has upheld a temporary restraining order that prevents OpenAI and Jony Ive's new hardware venture from using the name "io" for products similar to those planned by AI audio startup iyO, Bloomberg Law reports. iyO sued OpenAI earlier this year after the latter announced its partnership with Ive's new firm, arguing that OpenAI's planned "io" branding was too close to its...
Read Full Article • 52 comments
iOS 26

Apple Seeds iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 Release Candidates to Developers and Public Beta Testers

Wednesday December 3, 2025 10:33 am PST by
Apple today seeded the release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 updates to developers and public beta testers, with the software coming two weeks after Apple seeded the third betas. The release candidates represent the final versions of iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 that will be provided to the public if no further bugs are found during this final week of testing....
Read Full Article • 40 comments
iphone air camera

iPhone Air's Resale Value Has Dropped Dramatically, Data Shows

Thursday December 4, 2025 5:27 am PST by
The iPhone Air has recorded the steepest early resale value drop of any iPhone model in years, with new data showing that several configurations have lost almost 50% of their value within ten weeks of launch. According to a ten-week analysis published by SellCell, Apple's latest lineup is showing a pronounced split in resale performance between the iPhone 17 models and the iPhone Air....
Read Full Article • 206 comments
iPhone 17 Pro Cosmic Orange

iPhone 17 Pro Lost a Camera Feature Pro Models Have Had Since 2020

Thursday December 4, 2025 5:18 am PST by
iPhone 17 Pro models, it turns out, can't take photos in Night mode when Portrait mode is selected in the Camera app – a capability that's been available on Apple's Pro devices since the iPhone 12 Pro in 2020. If you're an iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max owner, try it for yourself: Open the Camera app with Photo selected in the carousel, then cover the rear lenses with your hand to...
Read Full Article • 50 comments
ios 18 to ios 26 upgrade

Apple Pushes iPhone Users Still on iOS 18 to Upgrade to iOS 26

Tuesday December 2, 2025 11:09 am PST by
Apple is encouraging iPhone users who are still running iOS 18 to upgrade to iOS 26 by making the iOS 26 software upgrade option more prominent. Since iOS 26 launched in September, it has been displayed as an optional upgrade at the bottom of the Software Update interface in the Settings app. iOS 18 has been the default operating system option, and users running iOS 18 have seen iOS 18...
Read Full Article • 274 comments
maxresdefault

iPhone Fold: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable

Monday December 1, 2025 3:00 am PST by
Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that 2026 could indeed be the year that Apple releases its first foldable device. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that ...
Read Full Article • 56 comments
iPhone 17 Pro Cosmic Orange

10 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 18 Pro

Monday December 1, 2025 2:40 am PST by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth...
Read Full Article • 107 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