The iOS 12.1.4 update could have a significant impact on your device’s performance. Some you should install the update today. But others might want to wait a few hours, a few days, or, in some cases, a few more weeks before making the move.
iOS 12.1.4 is now available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models. And apple’s latest update comes with a short list of important security patches including one for widespread FaceTime issues.
The company promised a quick fix for the FaceTime eavesdropping bug and it delivered. The iOS 12.1.4 update is available right now and it’s available for all devices capable of running iOS 12.
iOS 12.1.4 Reviews
Ii is much smaller than iOS 12.1.3 in terms of changes and in terms of download size.
If you’re moving your device from iOS 12.1.3, your download should be right around 90MB. As you know iOS 12.1.4 is a 89.6MB download for iPhone X owners. So it should be around the same for other devices.
If you’re running an older version of iOS 12, you’ll probably see a larger larger download size. Because the features and fixes from any updates you skipped are baked into your version of iOS 12.1.4.
Installing it shouldn’t take you more than 5-10 minutes to complete if you’re moving your device from iOS 12.1.3. It took about five minutes to install on Apple’s iPhone X.
We’ve been using the iOS 12.1.4 update on several devices for an extended period of time and here are our quick impressions of its performance:
Connectivity
- Battery life is stable across our devices.
- Wi-Fi is stable and fast.
- Bluetooth is working normally.
- GPS and cellular data are working fine.
Apps
- Third-party apps including Netflix, Dark Sky, Twitter, Slack, Asana, Gmail, Chrome, and Spotify are stable.
- First party apps like Safari, Podcasts, and Calendar are also stable.
Speed
- iOS 12.1.4 feels as fast as iOS 12.1.3.
If you’re dealing with bugs or performance issues on iOS 12.1.3 or an older version of it, you’ll want to install iOS 12.1.4.
When you’re having a good experience on iOS 12.1.3 or another version of iOS, you might want to wait for long-term feedback about iOS 12.1.4’s performance to arrive.
If you want help making a decision decision, check out our reasons to, and not to, install the iOS 12.1.4 update on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch right now.
What’s New in iOS 12.1.4 Update?
Apple was forced to rush the update out so the change log is extremely short. It’s focused on fixing the issues with the company’s FaceTime service.
If you’re unfamiliar, the bug lets you call someone via FaceTime and hear the audio coming from their phone before they pick up the phone. That’s obviously a huge privacy issue.
Apple says iOS 12.1.4 takes care of this problem and the update is required if you want to continue using iOS 12’s Group FaceTime feature on your device.
Group FaceTime is permanently disabled on iOS 12.1-12.1.3 so if you want to continue using the feature you’ll need to upgrade your device.
iOS 12.1.4 comes with a few additional security patches. Again, it doesn’t bring any new features to the iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
iOS 12.1.4 Problems
iOS 12.1.4 users are complaining about a variety of bugs and performance issues.
We’re hearing about iOS 12.1.4 download and installation issues, abnormal battery drain, issues with Exchange, connectivity issues, data issues, Touch ID problems, Face ID problems, and issues with first and third-party applications.
iOS 12.1.4 addressed an issue with Group FaceTime but some users are still having issues with Group FaceTime on the new firmware.
Apple’s aware of the issue, but it’s unclear when it will release a fix.
If you can’t stand the iOS 12.1.4 update’s performance on your device you can try downgrading your phone or tablet. Apple’s signing off on iOS 12.1.3 which means you can drop down to the previous version if you think it will help.
iOS 12.1.4 Jailbreak
Jailbreak developers still haven’t released an iOS 12 jailbreak and it’s unclear if we’ll get one.
The only way you can jailbreak a device right now is if it’s running an older version of iOS 11. Sadly, there’s no way to downgrade to iOS 11.
Jailbreak developers typically haven’t confirmed anything for iOS 12.1.4 so iPhone and iPad users should avoid the update until we have more clarity.
What’s Next?
The next version of iOS 12 will likely be a milestone upgrade.
Apple’s confirmed a massive iOS 12.2 update and the software is in beta ahead of a release later this year, probably sometime in March.
The iOS 12.2 update is a milestone release which means it will carry more than just bug fixes and patches. You can expect new features as well.
If you’re struggling on iOS 12.1.4 or want to give iOS 12.2 and its features a try before the official release, you can do so via the iOS 12.2 beta.
The iOS 12.2 beta is available for all devices capable of running iOS 12.
Install iOS 12.1.4 for More Security
If you’re on the fence, here’s one of the best reasons to install iOS 12.1.4.
If you value your device’s security, you’ll want to download iOS 12.1.4 in the near future. Because it comes with four important security patches including fixes for a widespread FaceTime eavesdropping bug that lets you call someone via FaceTime and hear the audio coming from their phone before they pick up the phone.
If you skipped iOS 12.1.3, you get some additional patches with your version of iOS 12.1.4. They’re baked into your upgrade.
Apple lists a grand total of 23 patches on board iOS 12.1.3. If you skipped iOS 12.1.1, you’ll probably want to install the iOS 12.1.4 update on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch today.
The iOS 12.1.1 update brought 17 patches for potential security exploits. They’ll will help protect your phone.
If you skipped iOS 12.1, you’ll get the 24 patches from that update with your version of iOS 12.1.4. If you skipped 12.0.1, your iOS 12.1.4 update brings two additional patches. Both patches are for potential lock screen exploits.
If you skipped iOS 12.0, and you’re still running 11.4.1 or below, your iOS 12.1.4 update comes with a longer list of security updates.
The iOS 12.0 update delivered 16 patches for security issues.
New Security Features of iOS 12
In addition to those patches, iOS 12 delivers new security features aimed at protecting you and the data you store on your device. These include:
- Enhanced Intelligent Tracking Prevention in Safari prevents embedded content and social media buttons from tracking cross-site browsing without your permission
- Suppresses ad retargeting by reducing advertisers’ ability to identify iOS devices uniquely
- Strong and unique passwords are suggested automatically when creating an account or changing a password in most apps and in Safari
- Reused passwords are flagged in Settings >> Passwords & Accounts
- Security code AutoFill presents one-time security codes sent over SMS as suggestions in the QuickType bar
- Sharing passwords with contacts is easier than ever using AirDrop from Passwords & Accounts in Settings
- Siri supports quickly navigating to a password on an authenticated device
Briefly speaking, if you store sensitive data on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, you have some really good reasons to upgrade to iOS 12.1.4 today.
