iOS 12.1 Features: Here’s everything new in the latest iPhone and iPad update
During its iPad Pro 2018 event in Brooklyn, Apple announced iOS 12.1 was available to download for all supported devices.
The first major update since iOS 12 was released in September, introduces a number of new features, including the Group FaceTime tool that enables up to 32 callers to participate in video calls over the web.
iOS 12.1: Which iPhones and iPads are compatible with iOS 12.1?
The following devices are compatible with iOS 12.1.
- iPhone 5S
- iPhone SE
- iPhone 6 | iPhone 6 Plus
- iPhone 6S | iPhone 6S Plus
- iPhone 7 | iPhone 7 Plus
- iPhone 8 | iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone X
- iPhone XS | iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
The following iPads will also be able to install iOS 12: iPad Mini 2, iPad Mini 3, iPad Mini 4, iPad Air, iPad Air 2, iPad 5, iPad 9.7-inch 2018 , 9.7-inch iPad Pro, iPad Pro 10.5, 12.9-inch iPad Pro (both gens).
Group Facetime
Group FaceTime features deep integration with the Messages app, end-to-end encryption, as well as automatic detection of active speakers, meaning those who’re more active in the conversation will appear more prominently.
“Participants who are not active will appear at the bottom of the screen until they speak. A simple tap also brings a participant front and center,” Apple says.
Related: iOS 12 features
Improved Portrait Mode
If you have an iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max or iPhone XR, the update also brings new depth control settings to the excellent Portrait mode.
Instead of having to take a picture first to be able to alter the aperture, you can now do it in the viewfinder. Just tap the ‘f’ icon in the top right and the aperture dial will appear.
Here’s how Apple itself describes the feature: “Advanced depth segmentation in Portrait mode enables more sophisticated portraits with professional-level bokeh.
“With iOS 12.1, users can now dynamically adjust the depth of field in real-time preview in addition to post-capture, enabling more control to create portraits with a beautiful background blur. Portrait mode with Depth Control is also available on the TrueDepth camera for selfies, which includes Memoji and faster face tracking support for third-party ARKit apps.”
Dual SIM support
This e-sim enabled feature will enable iPhone users (with an iPhone XS, XS Max and XR) to house two phone numbers on one device, making it ideal for those users who travel a lot or use their phones for both work and personal use.
Will you be immediately downloading iOS 12.1? Or will you wait to ensure there are no bugs before pulling the trigger? Let us know @TrustedReviews on Twitter.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
