Apple Released a Second Build of iOS 12.1.2 But No one Knows Why

Apple has released a second build of its iOS 12.1.2 software update — and no one is quite sure why.

The iOS 12.1.2 version released on Thursday carries a build number of 16C104, compared to the 16C101 build number of the version released on Monday.

It isn’t clear why Apple has released a new version of iOS 12.1.2, but it likely contains bug fixes or other under-the-hood changes meant for users who aren’t currently running the Monday build of the software.

We do know that iOS 12.1.2 was rushed out early to address a few eSIM bugs, as well as infringement concerns with two patents that Qualcomm holds in China.

After a Chinese court granted Qualcomm a preliminary injunction a handful of iPhone models, Apple said it would release a software update that did away with any patent infringement.

Thus, earlier this week, Apple released the first build of iOS 12.1.2 as an iPhone-exclusive software update with slight animation changes and other minor tweaks. It’s worth noting that those changes were only implemented in the Chinese version of iOS 12.1.2.

But, notably, that software update was released after just one beta testing version. That could explain some critical issues falling through the cracks. Apple may have opted to address those bugs in a new build rather than wait for a full point release.

Of course, this is just speculation since the release notes for the new iOS 12.1.2 build don’t offer any additional clarity.

In addition to the new iOS 12.1.2 build, Apple also seeded the first beta version of iOS 12.1.3. To add to the confusion, the first iOS 12.1.3 beta is actually numbered a second beta since it builds on the same content as the first iOS 12.1.2 beta.

Because both final builds of iOS 12.1.2 are iPhone exclusives, any bug fixes contained in the beta versions of that software will likely be introduced to iPad and iPod touch devices in iOS 12.1.3.

The new iOS 12.1.2 build is only available for the iPhone. It can be downloaded as an over-the-air update by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

On the other hand, if you updated to iOS 12.1.2 earlier this week, you might not see the new version.