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iOS 12 facts for kids
| Version of the iOS operating system | |
 |
|
iOS 12 running on an iPhone 6
|
|
| Developer | Apple |
|---|---|
| OS family | iOS Unix-like |
| Source model | Closed-source with open source components |
| Initial release | September 17, 2018 |
| Latest release | iOS 12.5.7 (Darwin 18.7.0) |
| Repository |
|
| Marketing target | Smartphones, tablets and digital media players |
| Update method | OTA updates, iTunes |
| Package manager | App Store, dpkg (On jailbroken devices) |
| Kernel type | Hybrid (XNU) |
| License | Proprietary software with open-source components |
| Preceded by | iOS 11 |
| Succeeded by |
|
| Tagline | More power to you. |
| Support status | |
| Obsolete, partial third-party app support | |
iOS 12 was a big update for iOS, Apple's mobile operating system. It came out on September 17, 2018. This version looked a lot like the one before it, iOS 11. However, its main goal was to make iPhones and iPads run faster and smoother. It also brought some cool new features to help users manage their screen time and create fun characters.
iOS 12 was replaced by iOS 13 for iPhones and iPod Touch devices in September 2019. For iPads, it was replaced by iPadOS 13 around the same time. Even after newer versions came out, Apple kept providing security updates for iOS 12 for devices that couldn't upgrade to iOS 13. The very last update for iOS 12 was released in January 2023.
Contents
Key Features of iOS 12
Faster Performance
One of the biggest improvements in iOS 12 was how much faster it made older devices. Apple worked hard to speed up common tasks. For example, on an iPhone 6 Plus, apps would open 40% faster. The keyboard would show up 50% quicker, and the camera would be ready to take a picture 70% faster than before. This meant a much smoother experience for users.
Screen Time: Manage Your Device Use
Screen Time is a new tool in iOS 12 that helps you see how much time you spend on your device. It shows you:
- How long you use your device each day.
- Which apps you use the most.
- How many notifications you get.
You can also set limits on how long you use certain apps or types of apps, like games. Parents can use Screen Time to set rules for their kids' devices. Adults can also use it to help themselves use their phones less. You can protect these settings with a passcode, or just use them as a helpful reminder.
This feature was added after some investors asked Apple to help users manage their device use better. Even Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, said he was spending too much time on his phone.
Shortcuts: Automate Tasks with Siri
iOS 12 introduced a special app called Shortcuts. This app lets you create automated actions for Siri to do. For example, you could create a shortcut that turns on your smart lights and plays your favorite music when you say, "Hey Siri, I'm home." You can choose a phrase and tell Siri exactly what steps to follow. This app replaced an older app called Workflow that Apple had bought.
ARKit 2: Augmented Reality Gets Better
Augmented reality (AR) lets you see digital things mixed with the real world through your device's camera. ARKit 2 made AR even better in iOS 12. Now, multiple people could share the same AR view on their devices. This means you could play an AR game with friends, and you'd all see the same virtual objects in your real room. ARKit 2 also got better at recognizing 2D images and 3D objects.
CarPlay lets you use your iPhone apps safely on your car's screen. With iOS 12, CarPlay started supporting navigation apps made by other companies, like Waze and Google Maps. Before, you could only use Apple Maps.
iPad Updates
The Voice Memos and Stocks apps became available on iPads with iOS 12. Before, they were only on iPhones.
The Control Center on iPad was also changed. It became separate from the app switcher and could be opened by swiping down from the top right corner of the screen. iPads also got new gestures, similar to those on the iPhone X, which made them easier to use without a home button.
Keyboard Improvements
If your iPhone didn't have 3D Touch, iOS 12 made it easier to move the cursor when typing. You could now long-press the space bar to turn the keyboard into a trackpad, letting you move the cursor precisely.
App Switcher Changes
On iPhones without a home button (like the iPhone X and newer), closing apps became simpler. You could just swipe up from the bottom of the screen in the app switcher to close an app, without needing to press and hold it first.
Exposure Notification API
Later, in iOS 12.5 (released in December 2020), Apple added the Exposure Notification API. This feature helps with digital contact tracing during events like the COVID-19 pandemic. It allows public health apps to tell you if you've been near someone who tested positive for a virus, while keeping your privacy safe.
App Features
Messages: Memoji and Fun Effects
The Messages app got more fun with iOS 12. You could now create Memoji, which are personalized 3D characters that look like you. You could also use new Animoji characters, like a koala, tiger, ghost, and T-Rex. Plus, Apple added new text and GIF effects to make your messages more exciting, similar to those on other social media apps.
FaceTime: Group Calls and Fun Effects
FaceTime also got new features. You could use Animoji and Memoji during video calls, and add fun text and GIF effects.
A big update in iOS 12.1 (October 2018) was the ability to have Group FaceTime calls with up to 32 people at once! However, this feature had a bug that allowed callers to hear audio from the recipient's phone before they answered. Apple quickly fixed this bug in a later update (iOS 12.1.4).
Measure App: Your Digital Ruler
The new Measure app uses augmented reality to let you measure real-world objects with your iPhone or iPad camera. It can also act as a level, which helps you hang pictures straight.
The Photos app was redesigned in iOS 12. It had new tabs like "For You" and "Search."
- The "For You" tab suggests photos to share, creates short video collages, and gives you editing tips.
- The "Search" tab uses smart technology to help you find photos by location or by what's in them (like animals, cars, or objects).
Notifications: Grouped and Easier to Manage
Notifications were improved to be less overwhelming. They were now grouped by app, so you wouldn't see a long list of individual messages from the same app. You could also easily turn off notifications for an app or set them to "deliver quietly" right from the Notification Center.
Do Not Disturb: More Control
The Do Not Disturb feature got more options. Besides setting it for a schedule, you could now hide notifications for just one hour, until you leave a certain location, or until a scheduled event ends.
Apple Books: A New Look
The iBooks app was renamed Apple Books and got a fresh new design. It became easier to find and read your books, audiobooks, and discover new ones.
Safari: Better Privacy
Safari, Apple's web browser, improved its privacy features. It could now block social media "like" and "share" buttons from tracking you across different websites.
Maps: More Accurate Data
Apple Maps started a big project to rebuild its maps using its own data, instead of relying on other companies. This aimed to provide more accurate directions and better predictions for the fastest routes. This update was rolled out gradually across the US.
Known Issues
FaceTime Eavesdropping Issue
In early 2019, a bug was found in Group FaceTime (versions 12.1 to 12.1.3). This bug allowed a caller to hear audio from the recipient's phone before the recipient even answered the call. Apple quickly fixed this serious privacy issue with the release of iOS 12.1.4.
Supported Devices
A great thing about iOS 12 was that it supported all the same devices that iOS 11 did. This meant that even older iPhones and iPads could get the new features and performance improvements.
iPhones |
iPod Touch
|
iPads
|
Version History: Key Updates
| Version | Release Date | Main Changes | Update Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12.0 | September 17, 2018 | Initial release with performance boosts, Screen Time, Shortcuts, and Memoji. | Initial Release |
| 12.0.1 | October 8, 2018 | Fixed charging and Wi-Fi issues on new iPhones, and keyboard position on iPad. | Bug Fixes |
| 12.1 | October 30, 2018 | Introduced Group FaceTime (up to 32 people) and dual SIM support for new iPhones. | Feature Update |
| 12.1.1 | December 5, 2018 | Improved dual SIM use and added Live Photo capture in FaceTime. | Feature Update |
| 12.1.2 | December 17, 2018 | Fixed eSIM and cellular issues for some iPhones in certain regions. | Bug Fixes |
| 12.1.3 | January 22, 2019 | Fixed issues with CarPlay and images, and another FaceTime bug. | Bug Fixes |
| 12.1.4 | February 7, 2019 | Crucial fix for the Group FaceTime eavesdropping bug. | Security Fixes |
| 12.2 | March 25, 2019 | Added new Animoji, AirPlay 2 controls, and support for AirPods (2nd gen). | Feature Update |
| 12.3 | May 13, 2019 | Introduced AirPlay 2 and the new Apple TV app. | Feature Update |
| 12.3.1 | May 24, 2019 | Fixed issues with VoLTE calls and messages from unknown senders. | Bug Fixes |
| 12.3.2 | June 10, 2019 | Fixed a camera issue on iPhone 8 Plus. | Bug Fixes |
| 12.4 | July 22, 2019 | Added support for Apple Card and easier wireless data transfer between iPhones. | Feature Update |
| 12.4.1 | August 26, 2019 | Reverted a security fix from the previous version to address a new vulnerability. | Security Fixes |
| Updates for older devices (not supported by iOS 13) | |||
| 12.4.2 | September 26, 2019 | Security fixes for memory access. | Security Fixes |
| 12.4.3 | October 28, 2019 | Fixed a bug with AirDrop transfers. | Security Fixes |
| 12.4.4 | December 10, 2019 | Fixed a security bug related to FaceTime videos. | Security Fixes |
| 12.4.5 | January 28, 2020 | Security fixes. | Security Fixes |
| 12.4.6 | March 24, 2020 | Security fixes. | Security Fixes |
| 12.4.7 | May 20, 2020 | Fixed security bugs in the Mail app. | Security Fixes |
| 12.4.8 | July 15, 2020 | Security fixes. | Security Fixes |
| 12.4.9 | November 5, 2020 | Fixed security bugs in FaceTime and the kernel. | Security Fixes |
| 12.5 | December 14, 2020 | Added COVID-19 exposure notifications for older iPhones. | Feature Update |
| 12.5.1 | January 11, 2021 | Fixed an issue with Exposure Notifications display. | Bug Fixes |
| 12.5.2 | March 26, 2021 | Fixed a web content security bug. | Security Fixes |
| 12.5.3 | May 3, 2021 | Fixed web content security bugs. | Security Fixes |
| 12.5.4 | June 14, 2021 | Fixed web content and security certificate bugs. | Security Fixes |
| 12.5.5 | September 23, 2021 | Fixed security bugs related to PDFs, web content, and kernel access. | Security Fixes |
| 12.5.6 | August 31, 2022 | Fixed a web content security bug. | Security Fixes |
| 12.5.7 | January 23, 2023 | Fixed a web content security vulnerability. | Security Fixes |
See also
In Spanish: IOS 12 para niños
- macOS Mojave
- tvOS 12
- watchOS 5