Apple Seeds First Beta of iOS 12.1 to Developers With Group FaceTime

Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming iOS 12.1 update to developers, just one day after releasing iOS 12, a major new version of the iOS software.

Registered developers can download the new iOS 12.1 beta from Apple's Developer Center or over-the-air once the proper configuration profile has been installed from the Developer Center.

groupfacetime
It's not clear what features might be included in the iOS 12.1 beta, but Apple removed the Group FaceTime feature from iOS 12 ahead of its launch and promised to introduce it in a future update, which could be iOS 12.1.

The update may also feature new emoji that are said to be in the works and coming in an iOS 12 update later this year.

We'll update this post with details on the new features that are included in iOS 12.1 once we've downloaded the software and have had time to check it out. Apple today also released a new beta version of Xcode, Xcode 10.1.

Update: The iOS 12.1 beta reintroduces support for Group FaceTime, a feature that was removed from iOS 12 ahead of its release. Apple needed more time to test Group FaceTime and said that it would be coming in a software update later this fall. Group FaceTime is designed to let you audio or video chat with up to 32 people at one time.

Related Forum: iOS 12

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro 3 4ths Perspective Aluminum Camera Module 1

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features

Sunday April 13, 2025 7:52 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of April 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone ...
Beyond iPhone 13 Better Triad

Apple's 20th Anniversary iPhone May Finally Go All Screen

Tuesday April 15, 2025 6:31 am PDT by
Apple is preparing a "bold" new iPhone Pro model for the iPhone's 20th anniversary in 2027, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. As part of what's being described as a "major shake-up," Apple is said to be developing a design that makes more extensive use of glass – and this could point directly to the display itself. Here's the case for Apple releasing a truly all-screen iPhone with no...
iOS 19 Roundup Feature

iOS 19 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday April 15, 2025 7:37 am PDT by
The first iOS 19 beta is less than two months away, and there are already a handful of new features that are expected with the update. Apple should release the first iOS 19 beta to developers immediately following the WWDC 2025 keynote, which is scheduled for Monday, June 9. Following beta testing, the update should be released to the general public in September. Below, we recap the key...
Apple 2025 Thumb 1

10 Products Still Coming From Apple in 2025

Friday April 11, 2025 4:14 pm PDT by
Apple may have updated several iPads and Macs late last year and early this year, but there are still multiple new devices that we're looking forward to seeing in 2025. Most will come in September or October, but there could be a few surprises before then. We've rounded up a list of everything that we're still waiting to see from Apple in 2025. iPhone 17, 17 Air, and 17 Pro - We get...
CarPlay Hero

Apple Releases Wireless CarPlay Fix

Wednesday April 16, 2025 11:28 am PDT by
If you have been experiencing issues with wireless CarPlay in your vehicle lately, it was likely due to a software bug that has now been fixed. Apple released iOS 18.4.1 today, and the update's release notes say it "addresses a rare issue that prevents wireless CarPlay connection in certain vehicles." If wireless CarPlay was acting up for you, updating your iPhone to iOS 18.4.1 should...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Homescreen

Foldable iPhone Resolutions Leak With Under-Screen Camera Tipped

Monday April 14, 2025 3:12 am PDT by
Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone (or "iPhone Fold") will feature two screens as part of its book-style design, and a Chinese leaker claims to know the resolutions for both of them. According to the Weibo-based account Digital Chat Station, the inner display, which is approximately 7.76 inches, will use a 2,713 x 1,920 resolution and feature "under-screen camera technology." Meanwhile, the...
Apple Bristol Current

An Apple Store in the UK is Permanently Closing Later This Year

Monday April 14, 2025 7:33 am PDT by
Apple has confirmed that it will be permanently closing its retail store in the heart of Bristol, England, and there is no replacement in sight. Apple Bristol in 2023 Apple Bristol will be closing its doors on Saturday, August 9, due to redevelopment plans at the Cabot Circus Shopping Centre, and the adjacent Bristol Shopping Quarter. According to news reports, and a building application, the ...
iOS 18

Apple Releases iOS 18.4.1 With Bug Fixes

Wednesday April 16, 2025 10:11 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 18.4.1 and iPadOS 18.4.1, minor updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating systems that came out last September. iOS 18.4.1 and iPadOS 18.4.1 come two weeks after the launch of iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. There have been complaints about ...
iPhone 6s MacRumors YouTube

Apple Says These Products Are Now Vintage

Tuesday April 15, 2025 9:53 am PDT by
Apple today updated its vintage products list to add the 2018 Mac mini and the iPhone 6s, devices that will get more limited service and repairs now that they are considered vintage. The iPhone 6s initially launched in 2015, but Apple kept it around as a low-cost device until 2018, which is why it is only now being added to the vintage list. The iPhone 6s had Apple's A9 chip, and it was...

Top Rated Comments

Enclavean Avatar
86 months ago
Every year after the GM is out i remove my beta profile and tell myself im not installing betas anymore and every year i just end up on betas all year lol
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ck2875 Avatar
86 months ago
For those receiving a new phone or watch on Friday, you may want to wait until you receive your new device if you want to restore from a backup. You won't be able to restore a backup from iOS 12.1 or watchOS 5.1 to a device on iOS 12 or watchOS 5. If you update your current device now, you'll have to set up the new devices on Friday as a new device, install the beta profiles, update, reset the device, and then restore from a backup.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bornee35 Avatar
86 months ago
Do we need a new profile for this?
Tinder
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bornee35 Avatar
86 months ago
for a 12.1 its terrible how only one new feature nothing seems new
Because Tim Cook hates you on a personal level.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MrGimper Avatar
86 months ago
Must. Wait. Til. Friday.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
coolfactor Avatar
86 months ago
They wasted no time, lol
This is normal for software development. It's not linear.

It doesn't go "develop - stop - release - develop - stop - release".

There are several "develop" branches that co-exist in parallel. Only once a branch reaches a certain stability and completeness does it gets released, but already several other branches have moved forward, and then those changes get folded in when they are ready. Quite often different teams are assigned to different branches. Some branches might be for new features, some might be bug fixes. Software development is not just "one thing", "one project", but many projects that are being coordinated together. That's why Apple was able to create a build of iOS 12 without Group FaceTime, because it's being developed in its own branch and can be included or excluded, as needed.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)