Obsolete for devices supportingiOS 13 or later; nearly obsolete for devices for which iOS 12 is the final supported version, but sporadically receiving security updates. Minimal 3rd-party app support.
Security updates for iOS 12 continued for four years after the releases of iOS 13 and iPadOS 13 for devices unable to run the newer versions. The last update, version 12.5.8, was released on January 26, 2026 to extend a expiring certificate to allow iMessage, FaceTime, and device activation to work past 2027, notably over three years after the previous update (in 2023) and over seven years since the release of iOS 12. The signing thereof was paused by Apple[2] afterTelstra was made aware of an "issue preventing some older Apple devices from connecting to our network, including calls to 000", stating that they are currently "working on this as a priority with Apple".[3] iOS 15.8.6, iOS 16.7.13, and iOS 18.7.4 were also allegedly affected. The issue was later resolved and the updates re-released.[4]
Overview
iOS 12 was introduced byCraig Federighi at theApple Worldwide Developers Conference keynote address on June 4, 2018.[5] The first developerbeta version was released after the keynote presentation,[6] with the first public beta released on June 25, 2018.[7] The initial release of version 12.0 was on September 17, 2018.[8]
System features
Performance
Performance optimizations were made in order to speed up common tasks across all supported iOS devices.[9] Tests done by Apple on aniPhone 6 Plus showed apps launching 40% faster, the system keyboard activating 50% faster, and the camera opening 70% faster compared to iOS 11.[10]
Screen Time
The Screen Time usage information screen in iOS 12 on an iPhone X
Screen Time is a new feature in iOS 12 that records the amount of time a user spent on the device. The feature also displays the amount of time the user used particular apps,[11] the amount of time the user used particular categories of apps (such as games),[12] and the number of notifications the user received.[13]
Screen Time also provides blocking features to limit usage of apps (with time limits) or set other restrictions such as on purchases or explicit content. It replaces Restrictions in the iOS Settings app, but can also be used by adults to limit their own usage. These features can be used with or without a passcode. Without setting a passcode, the limits can easily be bypassed but may serve as a useful reminder of usage goals.[14]
In January 2018, investorsJANA Partners and theCalifornia State Teachers' Retirement System had issued a public letter to Apple, calling for them to take additional responsibility for the "unintentional negative consequences" that iPhones may have on younger users, and to seek out new ways to limit these effects.[15][16] In June 2018, after the announcement of the Screen Time feature, Tim Cook publicly admitted that he "was spending a lot more time than [he] should" on his phone.[17] JANA Partners and CalSTRS issued a second letter to express their support for the new feature.[18]
Shortcuts
A dedicated application in iOS 12 allows users to set up Shortcuts, automated actions that the user can ask Siri to perform.[12] Using the Shortcuts app, a user can create a phrase and type in the action they want Siri to do for them. Once they tell the phrase to Siri, Siri will automatically do the task they set for it in the Shortcuts app. The Shortcuts app replaces theWorkflow app[19] that Apple acquired in March 2017.[20][21]
ARKit 2
ARKit now allows users to share their view with other iOS 12-supported devices.[22] ARKit 2 additionally allows full 2D image tracking and incorporates the ability to detect 3D objects.[23]
The Voice Memos and Stocks apps are now available for iPads.[24]
Control Center is separated from the app switcher on iPad and can be opened with a swipe down on the top right corner. The status bar has been redesigned, and in addition,iPhone X-style gestures are introduced across all iPads running iOS 12.[25]
Keyboard
In iOS 12, thetrackpad mode (which allows the user to freely move the cursor) is enabled by long-pressing the space bar on devices without 3D Touch.[26]
App Switcher
For devices with gesture navigation and no home button (iPhone X and later), users can now force quit applications by swiping up from the bottom of the screen (without having to press and hold on them when in the app switcher).[27]
Exposure Notification API
On December 14, 2020, Apple released iOS 12.5, which includes the Exposure Notification API (backported from iOS 13) that provides access to the privacy-preserving contact tracing system that Apple have developed jointly with Google.[28][29] This is provided to supportdigital contact tracing which came to light during theCOVID-19 pandemic.[30]
Hardware components verification
SinceiPhone XS,iPhone XR and iOS 12, iPhone verifies hardware components on every boot time; if a non-Apple screen and/or non-Apple battery is found, iOS will display “non-genuine screen” and/or “non-genuine battery” prompt on iOS settings, and the battery health information is unavailable. Later,iOS 18.1 enabled the display of the battery health information of a non-Apple battery.[31]
App features
Messages
Messages in iOS 12 introduces a new type of customizableAnimoji called "Memoji" which allows a user to create a 3D character of themselves. Apple also introducedkoala,tiger,ghost, andT-Rex Animojis.[32] In addition, Apple added new text and GIF effects similar to those found on other social media applications.
FaceTime
FaceTime gains support for Animoji and Memoji, as well as new text and GIF effects similar to those found on other social media applications and in the Messages application.[10]
iOS 12.1, released on October 30, 2018, adds the ability to include up to 32 people in a FaceTime conversation. This feature is only supported with video by devices with theApple A8X orApple A9 chip or later; it is only supported for audio oniPhone 5s,iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus, and is not available at all oniPad Mini 2,iPad Mini 3, andiPad Air (1st generation).[33] Group FaceTime was disabled on January 28, 2019, due to a software bug that allowed calls to be answered by the caller rather than the recipient, allowing video and audio to be transmitted unless the call was declined.[34] The functionality got restored on February 7, 2019, with the release of iOS 12.1.4. Group FaceTime remains disabled on devices running iOS 12 that are affected by the bug.
Measure is a native AR application that allows the user to take measurements of real objects. It also works as alevel,[10] a feature that was originally packaged as part of the Compass app.[35]
Photos
Photos has been completely redesigned with four new tabs, including "Photos," "For You," "Albums," and "Search." The new "For You" tab replaces the "Memories" tab previously found iniOS 11 and makes sharing recommendations, creates short-length video collages, photo editing suggestions, as well as featured photos from a specific day.[10]
While the "Photos" and "Albums" tabs received only a few cosmetic changes, the "Search" tab includes new Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning features which show the user photos by place and categories (e.g. animals, cars, objects).[36]
Notifications
Notifications are now grouped by application and have a "manage" button to turn off notifications for that app or to deliver them quietly right from the Notification Center without having to go into the Settings application.[37]
Do Not Disturb
Do Not Disturb gives users more options for automation. Users can hide notifications indefinitely or scheduled like previously, but can also hide notifications for 1 hour, until a time of day, until leaving a location, or until the end of a scheduled event in Calendar.[38]
Voice Memos and Stocks
Voice Memos and Stocks are supported on iPad, and have a newer design. Stocks was integrated withApple News to show financial and other related news.[39]
Apple Books
iBooks was renamedApple Books, and the app was redesigned, with five new tabs, including "Reading Now," "Library," "Book Store," "Audio Books," and "Search."[40] The new app design is similar to that ofApple Music, and has been praised for its simplicity in allowing users to easily navigate their book library.[citation needed]
Safari
Safari receives an update to Intelligent Tracking Prevention. This includes a feature which allows the user to disable social media "like" and "share" buttons.[41]
Maps
Apple Maps had started to be rebuilt from the ground up by relying on first-party map data instead of using map data provided by third parties. This allows for more accurate directions and predictions on the fastest routes.[42] The new maps were rolled out in sections and the entire US completed by the end of 2019.[43]
A FaceTime issue impacting several versions of iOS 12 (versions 12.1–12.1.3) allowed users to call someone via FaceTime and hear the audio coming from their phone before answering the call,[47] before the bug was fixed in iOS 12.1.4.[48]
This update extends the certificate required by features such as iMessage, FaceTime, and device activation to continue working after January 2027.[80]
Bug Fixes
^Animoji, Memoji, AR app support, the Measure app, and Message photo filters are not available on devices with less than 2 GB of RAM and older than the iPad Air 2.
^Symons, Mick (September 1, 2016)."How to use the Compass on iPhone".iMore.Archived from the original on 2022-05-27. Retrieved2019-03-11.How do you find your direction and level surfaces using your iPhone? With the built-in Compass app!
^Patel, Nilay (October 23, 2018)."Apple iPhone XR review: better than good enough".The Verge.Archived from the original on November 15, 2018. RetrievedNovember 18, 2018.Apple told me that the forthcoming iOS 12.1 update, currently in public beta, will address the issue of the front camera appearing to smooth out skin by picking a sharper base frame for Smart HDR, but I wasn't able to test it yet.
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