Apple Releases iOS 12.5.1 for iPhone 5S, 6 & 6 Plus with Fix for Exposure Notifications
Apple just released iOS 12.5.1 (build number 16H22) for iPhone 5S, 6, and 6 Plus, as well as iPod touch 6th generation, in addition to iPadOS 12.5.1 for iPad Air, mini 2, and mini 3. The update fixes an issue in iOS 12.5 where Exposure Notifications could incorrectly display logging profile language.
The update follows the Dec. 14 release of iOS 12.5, which brought Exposure Notifications to older iPhones in the first place. However, other than that feature, these iOS 12 software updates aren’t meant to be major updates. Instead, they serve as a way to support iPhones and iPads that can’t run the latest versions of iOS.
This update is only compatible with iPhones that run iOS 12, but are not compatible with iOS 13 or iOS 14. To be clear, any iPhone that is compatible with iOS 13 is also iOS 14-ready, so this update is really for a small number of iPhones. Unless your iPhone fits in that tiny list — iPhone 5S, 6, and 6 Plus — you won’t see 12.5.1 hit your device.
To download and install iOS 12.5.1 on your compatible iPhone, open Settings –> General –> Software Update. Next, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the software on your device.
We’ve been using the iOS 12.5.1 update for a few days and here’s we’ve noticed about the software’s performance thus far:
Connectivity
- Battery life is currently stable.
- Wi-Fi connectivity is fast and reliable right now.
- Bluetooth is working normally.
- GPS and cellular data are both stable.
Apps
- Third-party apps including Netflix, Dark Sky, Twitter, Slack, Asana, Gmail, Chrome, and Spotify feel stable.
- First party apps like Safari, Podcasts, and Calendar are running just fine right now.
Speed
- iOS 12.5.1 feels as fast as iOS 12.5.
iOS 12.5.1 Jailbreak
You can jailbreak newer versions of iOS 12, but it’s unclear if you can jailbreak iOS 12.5.1 right now.
The developers behind the “unc0ver” jailbreaking tool for iOS have released a new version, dubbed 5.0.0, that’s compatible with iOS 13.5 and most versions of iOS that fall between iOS 13.5 and iOS 11.0.
The jailbreak tool isn’t compatible with iOS 12.3-12.3.2 and iOS 12.4.2-12.4.5. So if you want to stick around on one of those versions, you’ll need to go another route.
For now, you’ll want to stay put on whatever version of iOS your device is currently running. Use our App Store to get jailbroken features.