The latest iOS release is now generally available, having left developer's beta and public beta versions behind. Apple has released iOS 12.3, a major point update with several new features. Six beta versions appeared before today’s release and it brings to the software something promised by Apple at its event in March. Here are the details.
Updated with extra details added for the new and previous versions of iOS 12.
How to get it
To download the update, open the Settings app, tap General, then Software Update.
Apple TV is the big-ticket item
A new Apple TV app was promised in March, when the company announced the new subscription video service, Apple TV+, which is due in the fall. But in readiness for the programming, pre-empted at the event by Jennifer Aniston, Steve Carell, Jason Momoa, Alfre Woodard and many other A-list stars, Apple decided to give the TV app a spruce-up.
The new app is still familiar, with Watch Now and Up Next still crucial in the whole thing, but the design has been tweaked and added extra information, without becoming cluttered.
Kids TV
There is a new tab for children’s programming within the TV app. Tap Kids and you’ll see a roster for new items, followed by kid-friendly areas like Pick Your Pals where the appearance of Sesame Street favorites, for instance, are likely to encourage children to tap on the touchscreen straight away.
Programming is also available in other sections including ones where content is arranged by suitability to different age groups.
Channels
One of the biggest changes is the introduction of channels which now sit within the TV app. So, you can subscribe to, say, HBO and watch the relevant programming without having to go to your HBO app. The increase in convenience of being able to do this is considerable and makes for a slick, seamless experience. Find a show that you want to watch but it’s on a channel where you’re not a subscriber? Subscribe right there, and watch your desired show immediately. New channels appearing in the app include Starz, Showtime, Smithsonian and HBO.
Recommendations
These have been improved with machine learning to make the stuff that’s suggested is more relevant. Recommendations also happen for stuff that’s not on a channel in the TV app so they’re wide-ranging.
Apple TV+
All those shows teased at Apple’s March special event will be on Apple TV+ and they’ll be found here in the TV app as well.
The app is available on Samsung TVs
Also from today, the updated TV app is available on all 2019 Samsung smart TVs, with compatibility with LG, Sony and Vizio screens to follow. Some 2018 Samsung screens are compatible, also from today.
tvOS has been updated, too
Unsurprisingly, given the nature of this update, there’s a new Apple TV app on the Apple TV box, too. Functionality is similar to the iOS update and includes a smart redesign and the same expanded sections, such as for kids, as well as channels that can now be found within the TV app so you don’t have to Menu out of the app to find and launch another app where that content resides. That includes movies and TV shows that are available to purchase through the iTunes app.
Here are Apple’s full release notes for the update.
iOS 12.3 includes support for AirPlay 2–enabled TVs and features a redesigned Apple TV app. This update also includes bug fixes and improvements.
AirPlay 2
- AirPlay 2 now supports sharing videos, photos, music and more from your iPhone and iPad directly to your AirPlay 2–enabled smart TV
- One-tap playback automatically plays your chosen TV programme or film on the last screen you used based on time and location
- Siri Suggestions to watch films and TV programmes now include an option to AirPlay
- Intelligent suggestions are all done on-device so your personal information stays private
Apple TV app
- The Apple TV app features an all-new design that highlights expertly curated collections and personalised recommendations
- Subscriptions to Apple TV channels can be shared with up to six family members, with no new apps, accounts or passwords needed
- New release films are available to buy or rent in the Apple TV app, including the full catalogue of over 100,000 films and the largest selection of 4K HDR titles
- A new dedicated kids section helps you discover editorially handpicked programmes and films that are safe for kids of all ages
- The Apple TV app can now intelligently suggest playing to the most likely Apple TVs or AirPlay 2–enabled TVs nearby
This update also includes bug fixes and improvements:
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Apple Music’s For You tab now updates multiple times a day, suggesting music based on themes like genres, artists and moods you love
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Fixes an issue that could prevent Apple TV Remote from pausing video, controlling video or changing volume on supported receivers
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Addresses an issue that could cause calls made using Wi-Fi calling to drop
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Fixes an issue where song information from a connected iPhone may not appear in a car’s display
Previous iOS 12 Updates
Here is a breakdown of the previous iOS 12 updates, compiled in conjunction with fellow Forbes contributor Amit Chowdhry.
iOS 12.2
iOS 12.2, released on March 25, 2019, included support for Apple News+, the ability for Siri to play videos from iOS devices to Apple TV, four new emoji, dedicated TV controls in the Control Center, the ability for Apple Pay Cash customers to transfer money to their bank accounts instantly using Visa debit cards, support for the second-generation model of AirPods and a number of bug fixes and improvements.
Just as importantly, Four new Animoji—owl, boar, giraffe and shark—were added for iPhone X and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation) and iPad Pro 11-inch.
Wallet app started displaying Apple Pay credit and debit transactions right below the card, Screen Time added the capability of being configured with a different schedule for each day of the week and a new toggle enabled easily turning app limits on or off temporarily.
iOS 12.1.4
iOS 12.1.4 (released on February 7, 2019) is mostly known for fixing a shocking iOS bug, which meant you could get at the audio and video of any iPhone running iOS 12.1 or later without being detected through a FaceTime call Apple issued an apology while it was working on a fix for this issue.
And iOS 12.1.4 also fixed a bug where an app would be able to gain elevated privileges and an issue with Live Photos in FaceTime, among other issues.
iOS 12.1.3
iOS 12.1.3 (released on January 22, 2019) fixed an issue in the Messages app which affected how photos were displayed. It also sorted an audio distortion issue when using external audio input devices on iPad Pro (2018). And iOS 12.1.3 resolved an issue that caused some CarPlay systems to disconnect from the 2019 iPhones.
This update also fixed several issues with the HomePod speaker.
iOS 12.1.2 (Second Release)
The second version of iOS 12.1.2 (released on December 20, 2018) -- known as build 16C104 -- replaced the previous version, possibly to introduce stability improvements though details were scant.
iOS 12.1.2 (First Release)
The first iOS 12.1.2 update (released on December 17, 2018) included bug fixes and a potential workaround for Qualcomm's patents, which Apple had been found to be violating, as a result of which a sales ban on the Apple iPhone 6s through the Apple iPhone X had been ordered.
In China, the iOS 12.1.2 update altered how apps were force closed and adjusted the share sheet user interface of the share sheet for setting contacts and wallpapers. This update also addressed issues associated with eSIM activation for the 2019 iPhones.
iOS 12.1.1
iOS 12.1.1 (released on December 5, 2018) integrated notification preview using Haptic Touch on the iPhone XR. And Dual SIM with eSIM support was added for the 2019 iPhones.
And iOS 12.1.1 added a one-tap-to-flip feature between the rear- and front-facing cameras during a FaceTime call. Live Photo capture during one-to-one FaceTime calls was also added.
The iOS 12.1.1 update allowed users to hide the sidebar while viewing the News app in landscape mode on the iPad.
iOS 12.1 (Second Release)
The second version of iOS 12.1 (released on November 6, 2018) included a maintenance update for the iPhone XR.
iOS 12.1
iOS 12.1 (released on October 30, 2018) included features which had been promised when the software was announced but not implemented. These included Group FaceTime, 70 new emoji, depth control in the Camera app and dual SIM support.
iOS 12.0.1
iOS 12.0.1 (released on October 8, 2018) was mostly a bug-squasher, including charging issues, for instance. It also restored the original placement of the “.?123” key on iPad keyboards.
iOS 12
The first release of this major iOS update (released on September 15, 2018) shipped with plenty of new elements. These ranged from Do Not Disturb enhancements, notification grouping and more The new Measure app which uses Augmented Reality to let you measure things by waving the iPhone in the air, is a favorite of mine. Books, Stocks and News apps were redesigned and significant upgrades were applied to the Voice Memos app.
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