Apple iOS 12.1.2 Release Has A Nasty Surprise – Forbes

‘Great Secret Features’ and ‘Nasty Surprises’ are my regular columns investigating the best features / biggest problems hidden behind the headlines.

iOS 12.1.2 is breaking cellular data for users around the world. The scale of this is unknown but, while Apple had previously admitted the fault existed in Turkey, angry upgraders are now proving iOS 12.1.2 has spread it far beyond that.

“Anyone else lose the ability to use your phone as an actual phone when you upgraded to #iOS 12.1.2 on your #iPhone? What the heck @Apple? I can’t even call @AppleSupport and can’t make a reservation at a #AppleStore until next week!” – source (Texas, US)

“Hello @AppleSupport ios 12.1.2 is worse because in this update mobile data is not working, not able to access any of the websites! Could you please resolve this bug!” – source (Hyderabad, India)

“@AppleSupport I am currently using an iPhone 7 on iOS 12.1.2 and I’m experiencing a problem with connecting to my mobile network and says “no service” at the top left-hand corner. Is there a quick fix for this? Many thanks” – source (Ireland)

“Just updated to iOS 12.1.2, thinking it would fix the WiFi & cellular connection on my XS. What’s up, @AppleSupport? I’ve talked to your people and have done everything they’ve suggested but nothing helps. When are you going to fix these issues? Thanks. #iOS1212” – source (Norway)

“@AppleSupport I updated to iOS 12.1.2 and now I can’t call or text / receive calls or texts, what do I do?????!!!” – source (Millwalkee, US)

“#iOS 12.1.2 has completely broken mobile internet on my #iPhone8

Even the stock app, Whatsapp, widgets, and mail apps refuse to work. Even my iPad refuses to work on the hotspot from my iPhone. @AppleSupport” – source (Bhubaneswar, India)

@AppleSupport …I can[‘t] sent SMS. iOS version is 12.1.2. Do you have any advice or a solution? Carrier says that network is ok and service center is correct.” – source (Pula, Croatia)

“@AppleSupport Post iOS 12.1.2 update most of URLs aren’t loading, even the App Store not connecting when accessed using mobile data” – source (India)

And this is just a small proportion of the reports out there, with many more (1,2,3,4,5 for example) reporting the same broken data or downgraded data such as this:

“@RogersHelps my iPhone X running iOS 12.1.2 sometimes kicks me off LTE & puts me on 3G why…It’s never happened before in Edmonton or St Albert (Alberta)” – source (Alberta, Canada)

In response, Apple Support is telling users to restart their phones and update carrier settings, but this isn’t working.

As a result, I can no longer recommend users upgrade their devices to iOS 12.1.2 and I’ve updated my iOS User Guide to reflect this. Again I stress, the scale is impossible to judge but the risk/reward payoff is pointless when the upgrade is primarily for Apple’s legal benefit and the problem clearly serious and international.

Furthermore, your patience should be rewarded. Today Apple started beta testing iOS 12.1.3 rather than iOS 12.2. Minor point releases are almost always dedicated bug fixes with fast development times. So stay put because Apple seems to know something’s up…

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