4 Reasons Not to Install iOS 12.5.6 & 10 Reasons You Should

Install iOS 12.5.6 If You've Got Problems

If you're dealing with issues on your device, you might want to install the iOS 12.5.6 update right now. 

iOS 12.5.6 doesn't have any known bug fixes of its own, but it could fix performance issues like severe battery drain, broken Wi-Fi connectivity, UI lag, busted Bluetooth, random reboots, lockups and freezes, and various issues with first-party applications.

These fixes aren't listed in the change log, but iOS updates often fix common performance issues and unlisted bugs. 

If you missed an older iOS 12 update, you might get additional bug fixes with your version of iOS 12.5.5.

iOS 12.5.1 brought a bug fix for COVID-19 exposure notifications. Specifically, it fixed an issue where Exposure Notifications could incorrectly display logging profile language.

If you're running software older than 12.4, your iOS 12.5.6 update has its fixes on board. 

iOS 12.4 included a security fix for the Walkie-Talkie app on Apple Watch and re-enabled Walkie-Talkie functionality. So if you use Walkie-Talkie on your Apple Watch, consider downloading the latest firmware.

If you're on software older than iOS 12.3.1, you get its bug fixes with your version of iOS 12.5.6. The iOS 12.3.1 update delivered the following fixes:

• A fix for an issue that could prevent making or receiving VoLTE calls.
• A fix for issues in Messages that could cause messages from unknown senders to appear in your conversation list even though Filter Unknown Senders is enabled.
• A fix for an issue that could prevent the Report Junk link from appearing in Messages threads from unknown senders.

If you're on software older than iOS 12.3, you get iOS 12.3's bug fixes with your iOS 12.5.6 update. If you're dealing with one of these issues, upgrade immediately.

• Fix an issue that could prevent Apple TV Remote from pausing video, controlling video, or changing volume on supported receivers
• Fix for an issue that could cause calls made using Wi-Fi calling to drop
• Fix for an issue where song information from a connected iPhone may not appear in a car’s display

If you're on older software than iOS 12.2, you get iOS 12.2's bug fixes with iOS 12.5.6. Here are the bug fixes that were on board that version of iOS 12:

• Improved stability and performance of Apple TV Remote on iOS
• Fix for an issue that prevented some missed calls from appearing in Notification Center
• Fix for an issue where a badge notification could appear on Settings even though no action is needed
• Fix for an issue in Settings > General > iPhone Storage where the storage size of some large apps, the System category, and the Other category in the storage bar graph could be incorrect
• Fix for an issue that could cause Voice Memos to automatically play back recordings after connecting to a car Bluetooth device
• For for an issue that could cause Voice Memos to temporarily prevent renaming a recording

If you're on software older than iOS 12.1.3, you get iOS 12.1.3's bug fixes for Messages, HomePod, and CarPlay issues. Here's the full list:

• 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 could cause HomePod to restart.
• Addresses an issue that could cause Siri to stop listening.

If you're on software that's older than iOS 12.1.1, you get a longer list of bug fixes with your version of iOS 12.5.6:

• Fix an issue that prevented visual voicemail from downloading for some customers.
• Fix for an issue in Messages that could prevent predictive text suggestions when typing on the Chinese or Japanese keyboards.
• Fix for an issue that could prevent Voice Memos recordings from uploading to iCloud.
• Fix for an issue where time zones may not have updated automatically.

If you're on software that's older than iOS 12.1, you'll get an even longer list of bug fixes with your version of iOS 12.5.6. iOS 12.1 included the following fixes:

• Fix for an issue that caused messages to be merged into one thread when two users were signed in with the same Apple ID on multiple iPhones
• Fix for an issue that prevented some voicemails from appearing in the Phone app
• Fix for an issue in the Phone app that could cause phone numbers to appear without their corresponding contact name
• Fix for an issue that could prevent Screen Time from reporting specific websites in the activity report
• Fix for an issue that could prevent adding or removing family members from Family Sharing
• Fix for an issue that could cause MDM Device Enrollment to report an Invalid Profile error for some enterprise users

If you're on software that's older than iOS 12.0.1, your iOS 12.5.6 update comes with additional bug fixes including:

• Restored the original position of the “.?123″ key on the iPad keyboard.
• An issue where subtitles may not appear in some video apps.
• An issue where Bluetooth could become unavailable.

If you're still running iOS 11, there are some great reasons to make the move to the iOS 12 operating system right now. 

The iOS 12 update focused on improving performance. The company's aging iPhone 5s will open apps 40% faster, swipe to the camera from the lock screen 70% faster, show the keyboard faster, and deliver better all-around performance. Other devices benefit as well.

If you own a newer model you'll see sharing options 2x faster and your apps should launch much faster than they did on iOS 11.  

If you're struggling on iOS 12.5.5, or an older version of iOS, you should give iOS 12.5.6 a shot.