iOS 12.1

Apple releases iOS 12.1.3, watchOS 5.1.3, macOS Mojave 10.14.3 & tvOS 12.1.2

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 22, 2019

Following weeks of testing, Apple today released new software updates: iOS 12.1.3 for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, iOS 12.1.3 for HomePod, macOS Mojave 10.14.3 for Mac, watchOS 5.1.3 for Apple Watch and tvOS 12.1.2 for the fourth-generation Apple TV and Apple TV 4K . While mostly about bug fixes that improve your security, these minor software updates are worth the time because they happen to boost the stability, performance and reliability of your devices.

Apple stopped signing iOS 12.1 yesterday, but you can still downgrade to iOS 12.1 beta 2

Anthony Bouchard ∙ December 19, 2018

On Tuesday, Apple stopped signing the iOS 12.1 public release, preventing downgrades from iOS 12.1.1 or 12.1.2, which patched a variety of bugs and exploits that could potentially amount to something in the jailbreak community down the road.

Citing a Tweet shared this morning by hacker and unc0ver lead developer Pwn20wnd, Apple is still curiously signing iOS 12.1 beta 2, which means you could downgrade to iOS 12.1 beta 2 via iTunes if you tried:

Apple stops signing iOS 12.1, preventing firmware downgrades via iTunes

Anthony Bouchard ∙ December 18, 2018

Apple officially closed the signing window for iOS 12.1 on Tuesday, a move that prevents all iPhone and iPad users from downgrading their handset’s firmware via iTunes to any version lower than iOS 12.1.1.

Apple released iOS 12.1.1 just under two weeks ago and followed up with iOS 12.1.2 yesterday afternoon, so it’s not very surprising that the company is halting downgrades to iOS 12.1. It’s somewhat typical for Apple to stop signing an older firmware version about two weeks after an update is released.

Security researcher Jann Horn publishes a privilege escalation bug that was fixed in iOS 12.1.1

Anthony Bouchard ∙ December 10, 2018

Given everything that’s been happening in the security research space lately, iOS 12 appears to be far from non-exploitable. On the other hand, bugs, exploits, and vulnerabilities for Apple’s latest and greatest operating just keep rolling in with each passing day, and this could potentially be great news for the jailbreak community.

The latest of such occurrences involves a privilege escalation bug for iOS 12.1 and earlier by Jann Horn of Google Project Zero. The security researcher published his notes online regarding the bug Monday afternoon, just five days after Apple publicly released iOS 12.1.1 to patch the bug, along with several others.

Linus Henze releases Safari-centric exploit targeting iOS 12.1 and earlier

Anthony Bouchard ∙ December 7, 2018

It was only a few days ago that we learned about a sandbox escape PoC for iOS 12.0-12.0.1, and while it was just a proof of concept, there’s always the potential that a talented hacker could make use of it for future endeavors; perhaps even jailbreak development.

Fortunately, that’s not the only iOS 12-centric vulnerability floating around in the wild these days. As it would seem, a Safari-based exploit targeting iOS 12.1 and below (and macOS 10.14.1 and below) was also released this week by iOS tinkerer Linus Henze.

Another 3D Touch replacement: iOS 12.1.1 lets iPhone XR expand alerts with Haptic Touch

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 8, 2018

iPhone XR makes up for the omission of a 3D Touch display with Haptic Touch, which is basically a long-tap paired with Apple's precise haptic feedback produced by the built-in Taptic Engine mechanism. Now, Apple's colorful handset launched without a 3D Touch replacement for expanding rich notifications but an iOS 12.1.1 update will bring this action to Haptic Touch.

Last chance to downgrade to iOS 12.0.1 for potential jailbreakability

Anthony Bouchard ∙ November 7, 2018

Apple officially released iOS 12.1 to the public last week, and if history is anything to go by, then that means the Cupertino-based tech giant will soon close the gates for downgrades to iOS 12.0.1 via iTunes.

Apple generally closes the signing window for older firmware approximately 14 days after a new version is released, give or take a day. That said, if you’ve been thinking about downgrading back to iOS 12.0.1, then you should probably get a move on.

KeenLab teases jailbroken iPhone XS Max on iOS 12.1

Anthony Bouchard ∙ November 6, 2018

Every time Apple releases a major new software update for its iOS device lineup, it seems like the talented security researchers over at KeenLab are the first to jailbreak it.

KeenLab was the first to demonstrate a proof-of-concept jailbreak on iOS 12.0 in June and iOS 11.3.1 in April, but now it seems the security firm has found a backdoor into Apple’s iOS 12.1 update, which was only released last week.

HomePod 12.1 update with stability and quality improvements now available

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 31, 2018

Apple today released the iOS 12.1 software for its Siri-powered HomePod speaker, which according to the official changelog includes general improvements for stability and quality.

iOS 12.1 has fixed a nasty Lock screen bypass that exposed your photos

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 31, 2018

The iOS 12.1 update, which released yesterday, has fixed an underreported yet dangerous Lock screen vulnerability which permitted anyone in possession of your iPhone or iPad to view your photos and—worse—use the Share function to send them to anyone.

AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon won’t support eSIM until later this year on 2018 iPhones

Bryan M. Wolfe ∙ October 30, 2018

AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon won’t offer support for eSIM, at least for now. The support is necessary for dual-SIM functionality on the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR. The top three carriers in the United States each have different reasons for not supporting eSIM, according to MacRumors and PCMag.

Apple releases iOS 12.1, watchOS 5.1 and tvOS 12.1 to the public

Bryan M. Wolfe ∙ October 30, 2018

Apple has released iOS 12.1, watchOS 5.1, and tvOS 12.1 to the public. The updates arrive on the same day as Apple’s “There’s more in the making” event, which saw the arrivals of a new MacBook Air, Mac mini, and iPad Pro.