iPhone 12 Problems: 5 Things You Need to Know

iPhone 12 Problems: 5 Things You Need to Know is a post by Adam Mills from Gotta Be Mobile.

An assortment of problems are plaguing iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max users.

iPhone 12 users are complaining about a wide variety of issues ranging from minor bugs to serious performance issues. And while some of these issues will likely be resolved by Apple and its partners, we will likely see more problems will popup as people put more wear and tear on their devices.

In the guide below, you can learn about the current state of iPhone 12 issues, potential fixes for these problems, places to find feedback, and what’s next in terms of iOS software updates for these devices.

iPhone 12 Problems

Activation issues always plague iPhones so it comes as no surprise to learn that some new iPhone 12 owners have been dealing with them.

If you’re having issues activating your phone, check Apple’s System Status page. If you don’t see a green symbol next to iOS Device Activation, you’ll want to wait until it’s green and then try activating the phone again.

If it’s green and the process still isn’t working, make sure you have a SIM card inserted in your iPhone. If you’re receiving a “No Sim” or “Invalid SIM” error, you’ll want to head to this guide for assistance.

We’re also hearing about Face ID problems, issues with first and third-party applications, Exchange problems, iCloud issues, visual voicemail problems, SIM card issues, Bluetooth issues, issues with the screen, charging problems, Wi-Fi issues, sound problems, and excessive battery drain.

Owners of the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12, both of which employ a design with aluminum edges, are reportedly seeing discoloration on the chassis. A report from from Svetapple states that the color is fading on parts of the edges.

On top of that, iPhone 12 users are complaining about 5G/LTE issues. Some users are saying cellular service is dropping unexpectedly while on-the-go. Others are complaining that they aren’t seeing the 5G speeds they expected.

It’s important to note that 5G is a relatively new technology and coverage can be inconsistent. Some of the frustrations with slow 5G performance should resolve over time as carriers such as Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile build out their 5G networks.

Where to Find Feedback About iPhone 12 Performance

If you’re thinking about buying an iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, or an iPhone 12 Pro Max, or if you already own one, you’ll want to monitor feedback from those who have adopted these devices. This feedback will alert you to potential issues with the hardware and software.

We recommend keeping an eye on YouTube, Apple’s discussion forums, social media sites like Twitter, and sites like the MacRumors forums for ongoing feedback about the phones.

We’ve also put together lists that run down the best reasons to, and not to, install the latest version of iOS 15 and it’s worth a look if you’re on the fence about downloading the latest version of iOS 15.

And if you’re thinking about moving to Apple’s iOS 16 firmware or if you’ve already made the move, take a look at our guide to the latest version of that software.

How to Fix iPhone 12 Problems

If you run into a problem, there’s no need to panic. There’s a good chance you’ll be able to avoid taking your new device into an Apple Store or your local carrier store for assistance.

First, take a look at our list of fixes for the most common iPhone 12 problems. It will take you through fixes for common issues like broken Bluetooth and busted Wi-Fi.

We’ve also released some tips to help you improve performance and a guide that could help you improve your phone’s battery life if you start noticing abnormal drain.

If you can’t find a fix for your issue(s) in our guides, you’ll want to check Apple’s discussion forums and see if someone has a fix for your problem(s).

If you can’t find anything there, it’s time to get in touch with Apple. You can do so via the company’s support account on Twitter. You can also get in contact with Apple Support via the company’s website.

If you’d rather explain your issue in person, you should take your phone into your local Apple Store and see if they can diagnose your problem. If you’ve got an Apple Store in your area, you’ll want to schedule a Genius Bar appointment.

Your iPhone 12 might still be under warranty so they might offer you a replacement if the problem is serious enough.

How to Downgrade Your iPhone 12’s Software

If you’re dealing with software problems on your iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, or iPhone 12 Pro Max, you can try downgrading to the previous version of iOS if the option is available. Right now, it is.

If you’re unfamiliar with the downgrade process our iOS downgrade guide will walk you through everything you need to know before you make the move.

What’s Next for the iPhone 12

If your device is struggling, help is on the way.

It’s unclear if iOS 15.7.1 will be the final version of iOS 15. Apple may choose to push additional versions of iOS 15 but that hasn’t been confirmed.

Apple has confirmed a new iOS 16.2 update and it’s currently in beta testing ahead of the public release. We expect iOS 16.2 release date to land in mid-December ahead of the holidays.

For more on iOS 16.2 and the beta, have a look at our walkthrough. For more about the iOS 16.2 release date, check out our guide.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says Apple is also working on a new iOS 16.3 update and it will likely arrive in February or March of next year.

4 Reasons Not to Install iOS 16.1.1 & 11 Reasons You Should

Install iOS 16.1.1 for Better Security

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If security is important to you, think about installing Apple's iOS 16.1.1 update right away.

iOS 16.1.1 doesn't have a whole lot on board, but it does bring a couple of important security patches with it. You can learn more about them right here.

If you missed the iOS 16.1 update, it brought 19 security patches to the iPhone and you can learn about the particulars of those over on Apple's website.

If you missed iOS 16.0.3, it had one security patch on board. It fixed a potential exploit within the Mail app. For more about the fix, check out Apple's security site.

If you're still running iOS 15 your iPhone, you'll get a bunch of other patches when you upgrade.

iOS 16.0 brought a ton of security patches to the iPhone. If you're interested in the exact nature of these improvements, you can read about them over on Apple's security website.

In addition to those patches, iOS 16 brings some additional enhancements to privacy and security including Safety Check which, according to Apple, will help "people in domestic or intimate partner violence situations review and reset the access they’ve granted others."

The feature also resets system privacy permissions for apps and restricts Messages and FaceTime to the device on hand.

Apple's also made some improvements to Passkeys in Safari. iOS 16 brings a brand new sign-in method that's end-to-end encrypted and safe from phishing and data leaks.