Apple releases iOS 12.1 with Group FaceTime, dual-SIM compatibility

AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in iOS
Apple on Tuesday released iOS 12.1, bringing features originally anticipated alongside iOS 12.0, namely Group FaceTime, and dual-SIM support on the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR.

iOS 12.1's Group FaceTime feature.
iOS 12.1's Group FaceTime feature.


The update can be downloaded over-the-air via the iOS Settings app, and is also available via iTunes when a device is connected to a Mac or Windows PC.

Group FaceTime supports up to 32 people, making the feature more useful for families and businesses. Dual-SIM support lets people use two cellular plans on the same device, albeit with restrictions on what the second plan can do. In most regions the second SIM is actually an Apple eSIM, though with Chinese iPhones, people must use a second physical card.

Other changes in iOS 12.1 include 70 new emoji, Depth Control in real-time Camera previews, and a fix for "beautygate," which caused photos shot with the iPhone XS' front-facing camera to show artificially smooth skin.





Bugfixes extend to charging problems with iPhones and iPads, and a variety of smaller issues.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 8
    notwichrednotwichred Posts: 68member
    not in UK.
  • Reply 2 of 8
    Mike WuertheleMike Wuerthele Posts: 6,861administrator
    notwichred said:
    not in UK.
    It takes time for the CDNs to populate. You should see it shortly.
  • Reply 3 of 8
    AI_liasAI_lias Posts: 434member
    I updated my iPhone 8, and the settings icon still has one red update showing, which I cannot trace to any of the settings menus. Anyone else have this problem? (it looks as if an update is still available, but not really)
  • Reply 4 of 8
    DonEverestDonEverest Posts: 9member
           Does anyone know if any of the major US carriers are ready to implement the dual sim card for their customers?  I have ATT. Weren’t the carriers provided info beforehand so they could be ready to implement it?
    igrizzlyChadwi
  • Reply 5 of 8
    igrizzlyigrizzly Posts: 5member
    I spoke to AT&T just now. They are not ready to support the eSIM due to "Visual Voicemail" issues. Meaning they haven't properly tested or spoken to Apple regarding the ins and outs of how the eSIM works. #ATTFail. They suggest they might support it later this year ... but I'm not holding my breath.
  • Reply 6 of 8
    DonEverestDonEverest Posts: 9member
         Thanks for the update. They definitely failed. So disappointing 
  • Reply 7 of 8
    tkrunner1738tkrunner1738 Posts: 289member
    Whats the build number ? I was running public beta 5 12.1 listed as 16B5089b but now it says my update is version 12.0 trying to figure out whats going on . I no longer have a public beta profile installed, when i went from my X to Xr i thought I installed it so i could restore from backup but had to setup the Xr as new then enroll it and download the beta first . But the profile dissapeared, I guess I’ll turn off automatic updates for now. 
  • Reply 8 of 8
    ChadwiChadwi Posts: 2unconfirmed, member
    The only reason I upgraded my phone was for the dual sim feature. I assume the U.S. carriers are trying to figure out how they can make some money off of the sim activation. I'm willing to bet they are using compatibility issues as a delay tactic until they can find a way to break it off in our a$$.
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