iOS 6.1.2 has been released by Apple. The minor update to iOS includes a resolution for a battery drain bug that impacted users of Exchange servers which also caused excessive data usage, and presumably also fixes the passcode bypass bug that exists in prior iOS 6 versions, though that has yet to be confirmed. The brief release notes mention only this for the 6.1.2 update:
Fixes an Exchange calendar bug that could result in increased network activity and reduced battery life.
Users of Microsoft Exchange who experienced the excessive data use and battery life problems should be the first to update, but anyone troubled by the potential of someone bypassing the lock screen should also update soon. If neither of these apply to you, it's still good maintenance policy to stay current with OS updates.
iOS 6.1.2 is available for iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPad 3, iPad 4, iPad 2, iPad Mini, and iPod touch 4th and 5th generations.
Download iOS 6.1.2
As usual, the simplest and fastest way to get an iOS update is using Over-The-Air updates. As an OTA delta update, iOS 6.1.2 weighs in around 12.8MB, and with a reasonable broadband connection your device will be updated in just a few minutes. Using Over the Air updates is simple:
- Open Settings, tap General, then go to "Software Update"
- Choose "Download and Install", be sure to have at least 50% of battery life remaining on the iOS device before attempting OTA
Installing this update through OTA brings up a new Terms & Conditions agreement that surely nobody will read, tap "Agree" and be on your way. Using OTA is the simplest way to update iOS, but you can also update devices by connecting them to iTunes and letting it automatically update, or for more advanced users, using the firmware files outlined below.
iOS 6.1.2 IPSW Direct Download Links
For those who would rather have access to firmware files, the IPSW links below are hosted by Apple. Right-click and choose "Save As", ensuring the file extension is .ipsw in order for it to work properly. Though updating with IPSW isn't too complicated, it is not considered a necessary procedure to know how to do, and most users should stick with the easier OTA or iTunes update methods.
- iPhone 5 GSM
- iPhone 5 CDMA
- iPhone 4S
- iPhone 4 GSM
- iPhone 4 CDMA
- iPhone 3GS
- iPad Mini GSM
- ipad Mini CDMA
- iPad Mini Wi-Fi
- iPad 4 GSM
- iPad 4 CDMA
- iPad 4 Wi-Fi
- iPad 3 GSM
- iPad 3 CDMA
- iPad 3 Wi-Fi
- iPad 2 GSM
- iPad 2 CDMA
- iPad 2,1 Wi-Fi
- iPad 2,4
- iPad 2,5
- iPad 2,6
- iPad 2,7
- iPod touch 4th gen
- iPod touch 5th gen
IPSW files are quite large and may take a while to download.
Users concerned about maintaining the possibility of jailbreaking their devices should avoid the update for now until a specific update for the Evasion tool is released to handle the newer iOS version.