Apple Releases Updated Version of iOS 12.1 for iPhone XR - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple Releases Updated Version of iOS 12.1 for iPhone XR

by

Apple today released an updated version of iOS 12.1 for the iPhone XR, one week after the initial launch of iOS 12.1 and a little over a week since the iPhone XR's October 26 launch.

The new iOS 12.1 software for the iPhone XR carries a build number of 16B94, a slight change from the original 16B93 build number.

The update doesn't appear to be showing up on devices that have already installed iOS 12.1, suggesting the new version of the software is designed for customers who have not yet upgraded their iPhone XR devices to the iOS 12.1 update. Why Apple released an updated version of iOS 12.1 for the XR is unknown, but it's likely to include minor bug fixes.

ios12banner
iPhone XR owners who have not yet installed iOS 12.1 can do so over-the-air by going to Settings --> General --> Software Update.

iOS 12.1 is a major update that brings a host of new features to the iPhone XR. It brings support for the eSIM, a digital SIM that lets you activate a cellular plan from a carrier without the need to use a physical SIM card.

eSIM support is not yet available from U.S. carriers, but AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile are working on implementing support before the end of the year. Other carriers around the world have begun introducing eSIM support.

iOS 12.1 also brings a new real-time Depth Control feature, which lets you adjust the depth of field of your Portrait Mode photos before you capture them, and it adds support for Group FaceTime calls with up to 32 people.

Other new features include more than 70 new emoji and several important bug fixes that should entice anyone who has not yet installed the update to do so.

Excessive skin-smoothing with the front-facing camera, for example, has been addressed, with Apple updating the Smart HDR feature of the iPhone XR's camera to use a sharper base frame to preserve more detail.

The update also improves cellular connectivity on the iPhone XR and fixes bugs with voicemails, the phone app, Screen Time, Family Sharing, and more.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

HomePod mini and Apple TV Sage

New Apple TV and HomePod Mini Are 'Nearly Ready' to Launch, New Siri Remote Also Rumored

Sunday May 31, 2026 8:47 am PDT by
New models of the Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini are "nearly ready to go," according to the latest word from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Both devices have been ready "for months," but Apple is holding off on launching them until the more personalized version of Siri is available, he said. "I am told the hardware for the next Apple TV...
Read Full Article • 136 comments
Apple Foldable Thumb

First 'Confirmed' iPhone Ultra Color Allegedly Revealed in Leaked Image

Monday June 1, 2026 4:39 am PDT by
Apple is expected to launch its first foldable iPhone later this year. Rumors suggest the "iPhone Ultra" will come in two color options, and a leaker shared an image today that allegedly shows one of them. Posted on Weibo by the Chinese leaker known as Ice Universe, the image purportedly offers a first glimpse of Apple's foldable in white. The device is believed to have entered early mass...
Read Full Article • 86 comments
Meta Ray Ban Glasses

Apple Glasses Reportedly Launching in 'Late 2027' With These Features

Sunday May 31, 2026 9:21 am PDT by
Apple is now aiming to release its first smart glasses in "late 2027," according to the latest word from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Meta Ray-Bans He previously said that Apple planned to begin shipping the glasses by early 2027, but he said the product has faced development delays. The glasses will feature "oval-shaped cameras, unique colors, and multiple frame styles," according to Gurman....
Read Full Article • 107 comments

Top Rated Comments

AngerDanger Avatar
AngerDanger
99 months ago
Excessive skin-smoothing with the front-facing camera, for example, has been addressed, with Apple updating the Smart HDR feature of the iPhone XR's camera to use a sharper base frame to preserve more detail.
Maybe iOS 12.1 16B94 has further refined this feature.

EDIT:



Goddammit!

Attachment Image
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bigboyz12000 Avatar
bigboyz12000
99 months ago
My favorite thing about the XR is the size. Its perfect to me. Not to big not too small. I wish they made the XS in that size 6.1"
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
D
dona83
99 months ago
So XR buyers what is the verdict so far? Are you happy? If you switched from a dual lens iPhone, do you miss that?

How is the display? I haven’t had time to stop by an Apple Store recently. I’ve seen YouTube reviews but I prefer hearing from regular people.
I love my XR so far. The screen is amazing in 95% of the situations: crisp, bright, with really accurate and eye pleasing colours. I'm really addicted to the screen. If you're watching a 21:9 movie, you only lose about 13% of the pixels (less the notch) compared to an old Plus phone despite the fact the XR has 28.5% less pixels because of the super wide 39:18 aspect ratio.

Camera is excellent as well. The single lens portrait photos are surprisingly good if you can get past the wide angle subjects. Low light photos are good. I've never had a dual lens iPhone before but I thought I should take that money I save to buy a DSLR. The XR is $330 cheaper than the XS in Canada but I thought 64GB would be too small but didn't think I would need 256GB as I pay for the 2TB of iCloud storage, so I thought 128 GB would be a good size, so really I saved $460. $460 will go towards getting an entry level DSLR and superzoom lens. I want to get into some sports photography and no dual lens camera will do it.

Would I buy it again? Absolutely.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sbailey4 Avatar
sbailey4
99 months ago
Probably an update to throttle and drain the faster.
Man I hope so. The battery on that thing is crazy long and needs to drain some. geez. :)

I have an XR already updated to 12.1, so my device says it is up-to-date. If there is a fix required for the XR, I am not sure why it is not being offered to me.
Plug into iTunes and it will offer the update (if you want it) No idea what was fixed though.

DFU restore is your only option now.
Nope, Itunes will offer the update if plug it in. No DFU required.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
L
lec0rsaire
99 months ago
Coming from a 7 Plus with higher resolution and higher DPI, I expected to be slightly disappointed, but unless I stare intently at the screen, it looks just as sharp. I don't watch TV or movies on my iPhone, but movies look really good, particularly those with HDR/DV, and the audio is MUCH better than my 7 Plus.

I'd recommend the XR to anybody.
Thanks. Exactly the sort of opinion I was looking for!

Played with one at the Apple Store and it seems like a gigantic leap forward from the previous "low-end" iPhone. Would recommend to people in the market for a new phone.
Thanks.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DrJohnnyN Avatar
DrJohnnyN
99 months ago
Maybe iOS 12.1 16B94 has further refined this feature.

EDIT:



Goddammit!
You're a master at GIF. Sometimes I come onto these forums to see your newest GIF.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments

🔗 Related Apple News & Rumors

Stay updated with the latest Apple ecosystem news and verified rumors