iOS 15.1.1 update rolls out for iPhone 12 and 13 users — here's what it fixes

iPhone 13 Pro Max
(Image credit: Future)

Apple rolled out iOS 15.1.1 (build number 19B81) for iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 users today. According to the release notes, the minor update addresses a bug that affected call performance and frequently caused dropped connections.

The iOS 15.1.1 follows iOS 15.1 build 19B74, a more significant update released on Oct. 25 that featured the highly anticipated SharePlay perk and the ability to add one's vaccination records to Apple Wallet.

Minor update addresses drop-call performance bug

In December of last year, we reported that there was an influx of complaints regarding the iPhone 12's poor call performance. Users flooded Reddit with reports that their calls kept dropping. Whether they were using 5G or LTE networks, they kept running into signal snags.

Affected iPhone owners said that they confronted their phone carriers, but the companies insisted that they are not the culprit behind with their drop-signal issues. Instead, the carriers pointed their fingers at Apple. "[Verizon] said that there is a major issue with iPhone 12 devices and it’s not just on Verizon, but other carriers as well," one Redditor said. 

On Apple's Tech Support forum, there's 65 pages of heated discussion regarding the signal bug.

Apple is now addressing this call performance issue with the iOS 15.1.1 update, which only rolls out to iPhone 12 and 13 users. To download it, locate the Settings app, select General and tap on Software Update.

According to Forbes, the update is relatively small (385MB on an iPhone 13 Pro Max), so the installation shouldn't take too long.

Kimberly Gedeon

Kimberly Gedeon, holding a Master's degree in International Journalism, launched her career as a journalist for MadameNoire's business beat in 2013. She loved translating stuffy stories about the economy, personal finance and investing into digestible, easy-to-understand, entertaining stories for young women of color. During her time on the business beat, she discovered her passion for tech as she dove into articles about tech entrepreneurship, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and the latest tablets. After eight years of freelancing, dabbling in a myriad of beats, she's finally found a home at Laptop Mag that accepts her as the crypto-addicted, virtual reality-loving, investing-focused, tech-fascinated nerd she is. Woot!