Apple Releases iOS and iPadOS 13.4.1 With Fix for FaceTime Bug

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Apple today released iOS and iPadOS 13.4.1, minor updates that come two weeks after the release of iOS and iPadOS 13.4, major updates that introduced iCloud Folder Sharing, a new Mail toolbar, trackpad support for the iPad, and more.

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The iOS and ‌iPadOS‌ 13.4.1 updates are available on all eligible devices over-the-air in the Settings app. To access the updates, go to Settings > General > Software Update.

The update addresses an issue that prevented devices running iOS 13.4 from participating in FaceTime calls with devices running iOS 9.3.6 and earlier or OS X El Capitan 10.11.6 and earlier. It also fixes a bug in the settings app that could cause choosing Bluetooth from the quick actions menu on the Home screen to fail.

Discovered shortly after the release of iOS 13.4 and macOS 10.15.4, the ‌FaceTime‌ issue prevented iPhones, iPads, and Macs running these updates from making or receiving ‌FaceTime‌ calls from older devices that aren't able to upgrade, such as the ‌iPad‌ 2, third-generation ‌iPad‌, iPhone 4S, the first-generation iPad mini, and the fifth-generation iPod touch.

It wasn't clear if the problem was caused by a bug or was intentional, but the fix included in today's update clarifies that Apple did not mean to remove the option for devices running iOS 13.4 to communicate with older devices. Full release notes for the iOS 13.4.1 update are below:

iOS 13.4.1 includes bug fixes for your iPhone.

- Fixes an issue where devices running iOS 13.4 could not participate in FaceTime calls with devices running iOS 9.3.6 and earlier or OS X El Capitan 10.11.6 and earlier.
- Addresses a bug with the Settings app where choosing a Bluetooth from the quick actions menu on the Home screen would fail.

The iPadOS 13.4.1 update fixes the same two issues, but also addresses a third bug that could cause the flashlight not to turn on on the new 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models after the Flashlight button in Control Center or the Lock screen is tapped.

iOS 13.4.1 could be one of the last updates to the iOS 13 operating system as Apple prepares to transition work to iOS 14. There will be at least one additional update, though, as Apple is already beta testing iOS 13.4.5.

Related Forum: iOS 13

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Top Rated Comments

DinkThifferent Avatar
DinkThifferent
73 months ago
Thanks Apple, glad you guys fixed this FaceTime issue so quickly! Especially during these "work from home" times is FaceTime quite important.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zorinlynx Avatar
zorinlynx
73 months ago

You can see where Apple's priorities clearly lie when macOS 10.15.4 has been causing Macs to kernel panic in their sleep for the past two weeks and there's no bug fix for that.
1) Different developer teams; they can work on both at the same time.

2) FaceTime is more critical than usual right now because people are isolating. A lot of people are depending on it to get through the Covid-19 crisis. Especially older people who tend to have older devices.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BlueCreek Avatar
BlueCreek
73 months ago
Really need this battery drain to be fixed, charging my phone 2 or 3 times a day at the moment even on battery save! Luckily I’m at home everyday at the moment ?
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
IIGS User Avatar
IIGS User
73 months ago
Are the memojis OK?

Someone tell me the memjois are OK...
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dspdoc Avatar
dspdoc
73 months ago
Where’s macOS 10.15.5 to cover their latest blunder?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rafterman Avatar
Rafterman
73 months ago

Where’s macOS 10.15.5 to cover their latest blunder?
Yep, this is getting tiresome. Especially if you have a lot of Apple devices. In the past, these quick "point" releases to fix bugs were few and far between. Now, its every release that a sub-release follows it within days.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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