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.
Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:39 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple is developing an all-new operating system that is essentially a mix of tvOS, watchOS, and iOS, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
In a report this week, he said the operating system will feature a grid of icons, widgets, and apps, along with customizable clock faces.
The new software platform is intended for Apple's long-rumored smart home hub. With built-in facial recognition,...
Apple has yet to reveal when the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra will be announced and released, but the dates usually follow a familiar pattern.
Labor Day is September 7 this year. The last time the holiday fell on that day was in 2020, but the iPhone event that year was delayed until October due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So, the last time Labor Day was on September 7 in a normal year was in ...
Thursday July 30, 2026 3:43 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
We're less than two months out from the launch of Apple's premium next-generation smartphone lineup, and while we're not expecting a dramatic change in terms of functionality, there are still several enhancements rumored to be coming to the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
One thing worth noting is that Apple is reportedly planning a major change to its iPhone release cycle this year,...
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.
