Apple Finally Releases iOS 12.1.1 with These New Features and Improvements

Apple on Wednesday released iOS 12.1.1, a relatively incremental software update that still sports many important additions and improvements. This update goes to show that Apple is listening to its user base and is actively working to improve iOS with each update. Continue reading to learn about all of iOS 12.1.1's most important new features and improvements!
4 FaceTime Camera Flip, Live Photos
Perhaps most notably, iOS 12.1.1 addresses a common complaint about the redesigned FaceTime app in iOS 12. Basically, the button to switch between the front- and the rear-facing camera was moved to an inconvenient location to make room for other arguably less-important features.
iOS 12.1.1 fixes that and makes it much easier to switch between cameras by putting that button back on the main screen in FaceTime. In Apple’s own words, you just need “one tap to flip” between cameras.
The software update also reintroduces the ability to take Live Photos within a one-on-one FaceTime call.
3 Expanded Carrier Support for Dual SIM
The new software update expands the number of supported carriers for Apple’s Dual SIM via eSIM capabilities on iPhone XR, iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. Again, you'll still need to wait for your carrier to activate support on their end to use Dual SIM Dual Standby (DSDS).
2 Additional Improvements
Other minor improvements include:
- The ability to hide the sidebar in the News app when an iPad is in landscape orientation.
- Real-time text (RTT) support for Wi-Fi calling on iPad and iPod touch and stability improvements for dictation and VoiceOver.
- For iPhone XR users, iOS 12.1.1 also introduces a new Haptic Touch capability that will allow users to expand rich notification previews with a long press.
1 A lot of Bug Fixes
As you might expect, the update also addresses a number of bugs and issues found in previous iOS 12 versions. Specifically, Apple has patched a bug that caused Face ID to become temporarily unavailable as well as an issue that prevented Visual Voicemail from working.
It also addresses a time zone update bug, a predictive text issue for Chinese and Japanese in Messages, and an issue that could prevent some Voice Memos from uploading to iCloud properly.
While it’s an iOS update, iOS 12.1.1 also adds features and fixes to HomePod — including support for the smart speaker in Mainland China and Hong Kong, and illuminated LEDs during Group FaceTime audio calls.
iOS 12.1.1 should now be available to all iOS users as a free over-the-air download. You can find it in Settings > General > Software Update.