[Update: now available!] [Update 2: now unavailable!] iOS 12 beta 7 for iPhone and iPad will be released shortly, just one week after the previous beta and the third release in as many weeks. The last beta version included changes to the Home app’s default wallpaper set, updated icons, and other small tweaks. We’ll dig in to the new build today as soon as it is released and update with any features that have changed. New in iOS 12 iOS 12 includes several significant changes for iPhone and iPad including performance improvements, especially on older devices; ARKit 2.0 with shared experiences; refined search and sharing in Photos; more Siri access in third-party apps and Siri Shortcuts based on Workflow; updates to Stocks, Voice Memos, Apple Books, and Apple News; use management features including updates to Do Not Disturb, more manageable notifications, and Screen Time parental controls; Memoji in Messages; FaceTime between up to 32 users; and much more. We also saw several changes in betas 2 through 4 including: Podcasts app now shows Now Playing indicator on currently playing chapters (chapter support is new to iOS 12) New splash screen for updated Voice Memos app New splash screen for Screen Time in Settings, includes Down Time walkthrough for parents New arrow launcher for Shortcuts in Spotlight iPhone-only apps on iPad now use iPhone 6 version, not iPhone 4 version (…Instagram…) Softer location icon in status bar Time Travel references removed from Watch app –> Clock Clear All Notifications now has a springy animation Can now swipe to clear alerts in one swipe (like iOS 11) Apple Watch Face Gallery now only highlights new Siri watch face updates (previously showed watchOS 4 faces) Voice Memos for iPad redesigned FaceTime effect picker tweaked CarPlay appears to be fixed when using side and backup cameras Watch app now shows third party apps that work with Siri watch face 11 Activity app stickers that animate and do not require Special Challenge to unlock iOS automatic updates suggested during setup Even more new Activity stickers in Messages Setting wallpaper with a photo now resolved, couldn’t reposition before Cellular usage now organized by highest amount of data usage, not alphabetical Activity app has tweaked icons for workouts Tweaked disclosure icon on passes in Wallet (i → …) 1x/2x for iPhone apps on iPad now has expand arrows instead Animoji gains more lip style choices, ear ring colors now have shine Battery Health no longer labeled beta Screen Time presentation improved Splash screen for Photos features Lyrics search in Apple Music now promoted in Search FaceTime has new tones when connecting and disconnecting from a call Default iOS 10 wallpaper removed (greenish-blue waves), wallpaper sorting order changed Home app removes existing wallpapers, now includes three color options Music app has a new splash screen promoting music video features Tweaked AirPlay icon on lock screen Photo library access button in Camera app in Messages Volume buttons in Messages camera now take photo Nice new splash screen for Apple Books For a comprehensive look at all of the changes in the first iOS 12 betas, sit back and watch Jeff Benjamin’s 35 minute long look at 100 new features in iOS 12 on YouTube.com/9to5Mac: New in beta 7? Group FaceTime delayed :( Notable performance issues before launching each app, consider skipping beta 7 [Update: This appears to be severe app indexing that is resolved in time. Mileage may vary.] New splash screen for Messages with Photos button explainer Measure app icon refreshed, now horizontal look (Thanks Max!) Refresh for updates! We will be updating our iPhones and iPads and digging in as soon as the new version is released. Also share tips at tips@9to5mac or zac@9to5mac.com and on Twitter @9to5mac and @apollozac. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More. Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news:<doc-sep>The latest iOS 12 beta 7 over-the-air update has been made temporarily unavailable as Apple investigates reports of unexpected performance issues associated with the release. The company pulled access to OTA beta 7 downloads about three hours after the update went live on Monday. While Apple has not issued a statement on the matter, developers testing the seventh iOS 12 beta have reported seemingly widespread bugs and system degradations. Common complaints include longer than normal app launch times, sluggish lock screen animations, non-functioning lock screen and Notification Center assets, and more. Apple has apparently taken notice, pulling the OTA update from its servers. Developers still have access to the IPSW file, which is available for download and manual installation via Apple's Developer website. The cause of the performance issues is unknown at this time, and it is unclear when Apple intends to release a patched version of the software. The bug or bugs likely impact the release timeline of an expected public beta build. Apple seeded iOS 12 beta 7 earlier today with minor improvements and bug fixes.<doc-sep>[Update: Apple has pulled the ISPW restore images as well.] Apple has temporarily pulled the over-the-air update for iOS 12 developer beta 7 after testers reported widespread issues with sluggish performance after updating. The issues may only affect users who update using the OTA software update and not manually with the IPSW file. Registered developers can still update to today’s beta release using the restore image found on the developer center. For users who could see today’s iOS 12 beta 7 release but haven’t updated, the OTA software update has disappeared and users who haven’t updated will need to wait a little longer before it returns. The performance issues for users who have updated don’t appear to last too long — the lock screen may be unresponsive, then each app may take several seconds to launch, but the system appears to eventually catch up and performance resumes — but it appears to be cause for hesitation anyway. We’ll stay tuned for a new build of the iOS 12 beta 7 release to become available for over-the-air updaters. No joke, strongly consider skipping this beta. It’s super slow and will probably get pulled https://t.co/PyYttOsUHK — Zac Hall (@apollozac) August 13, 2018 Subscribe to 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news: FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More. Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news:<doc-sep>
If you haven't updated to the new iOS 12 beta 7 on your iOS device as of yet, you may notice that the over-the-air update option is no longer available, and that's because Apple has pulled the download. Apple appears to have removed the beta 7 update because of performance issues. On the MacRumors forums, there are multiple reports of problems when tapping on an icon, which can result in a very noticeable pause before the app launches. As MacRumors reader OldSchoolMacGuy explains: I'm seeing apps take 10 seconds or more to launch on my X. Restarted and still seeing the same issue. Some users have said that the pausing issue disappeared for them after five or 10 minutes of using the iPhone, while others appear to be having continual problems. Prior to when Apple pulled the update, several MacRumors readers had warned other users against installing the update on their iPhones. There have also been reports of other issues, such as apps freezing, Notification Center freezing, Lock screen freezing, and in-app functions refusing to load. Apple was planning to release a public beta of iOS 12 today, but that may be delayed until these issues have been addressed in an updated release. iOS 12 beta 7 is a significant update because it removes the Group FaceTime feature that has been present in iOS 12 since launch. Apple now says Group FaceTime will launch in an update coming later this fall. Update: Apple has also removed the update from the Apple Developer Center.