Following weeks of testing, Apple today released new software updates: iOS 12.1.3 for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, iOS 12.1.3 for HomePod, macOS Mojave 10.14.3 for Mac, watchOS 5.1.3 for Apple Watch and tvOS 12.1.2 for the fourth-generation Apple TV and Apple TV 4K . While mostly about bug fixes that improve your security, these minor software updates are worth the time because they happen to boost the stability, performance and reliability of your devices.
How to install Apple OS updates
To download them over the air, use Apple’s Software Update mechanism:
- iPhone and iPad: Settings → General → Software Update
- Mac: System Preferences → Software Update
- Apple Watch: Watch app → My Watch → General → Software Update
- HomePod: Home app → Settings → Software Update
- Apple TV:Settings → System → Software Updates
One simple trick for Apple Watch owners speeds up watchOS software updates dramatically: disable Bluetooth in the Settings app on your iPhone right after seeing a rough estimate of the time remaining. Doing so will prompt the Watch app to fall back on Wi-Fi as long as the phone and watch have Wi-Fi enabled in Settings and are connected to the same local network.
Release notes
We’ve spotted the following changes on setup screens:
iOS 12.1.3 for iPhone & iPad
- Fixes an issue in Messages that could impact scrolling through photos in the Details view
- Addresses an issue where photos could have striped artifacts after being sent from the Share Sheet
- Fixes an issue that may cause audio distortion when using external audio input devices on iPad Pro (2018)
- Resolves an issue that could cause certain CarPlay systems to disconnect from iPhone XR, iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max
iOS 12.1.3 for HomePod
- Fixes an issue that could cause HomePod to restart
- Addresses an issue that could cause Siri to stop listening
macOS Mojave 10.14.3
This update improves the security, stability and compatibility of your Mac and includes the following enterprise content: When making a file-sharing connection that uses a valid Kerberos TGT to authenticate, users are no longer prompted to enter credentials.
Apple puts releases notes for its software updates on the web for everyone to see although these articles may take up to 24 hours to update. To learn what’s new in today’s releases, you’re encouraged to check out the following support documents:
- iOS 12 software software updates
- macOS Mojave software updates
- watchOS 5 software updates
- HomePod software updates
- tvOS software updates
The security content of Apple OS updates is listed in a separate support document.
As mentioned, all four updates predominantly focus on bug fixes and various under-the-hood improvements and tweaks. That said, do feel free to ping us in the commenting section down below in case you discover anything else worth noting.