iOS 6

iOS 6
Part of the iOS family
iOS 6 running on iPhone 5
Developer
Apple Inc.
Website	www.apple.com/ios/whats-new
Releases
Initial release	September 19, 2012 (2012-09-19) [info]
Latest stable release	6.1.4 (May 2, 2013 (2013-05-02)) [info]
Source model	Closed, with open-source components
License	Proprietary EULA except for open-source components
Kernel type	Hybrid (XNU)
Preceded by	iOS 5

iOS 6 is the latest major version of the iOS mobile operating system from Apple Inc. The latest version of iOS 6 is 6.1.4. It was preceded by iOS 5 (final version was 5.1.1).

History

iOS 6 was previewed on June 11, 2012 during WWDC 2012, with release announced for Fall 2012. Following the pattern of previous iOS releases, older devices are no longer supported, specifically the third-generation iPod Touch and the first-generation iPad. Supported devices on this release include the iPhone 3GS or later, the fourth-generation iPod Touch and later, the iPad 2 or later, and iPad Mini.

On September 12, 2012 at San Francisco's Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, among other items unveiled, Apple announced three iOS-related items; the release of the next generation of iPhone, called iPhone 5, the fifth-generation iPod Touch, and the expected final release of iOS 6.0. The September 19 release date of iOS 6 was announced at this event.

While the iPhone 5 came installed with iOS 6 starting September 21, other units will require an over-the-air update or an install through iTunes. An update to iTunes version 10.7, which was released on September 12, is necessary to install the iOS 6 update on a device.

The release of iOS 6 is Apple’s fastest beta-to-product development for its mobile OS.

Features

Two notable apps that iOS 6 removed by default are Google Maps and YouTube.

The built-in Maps app uses Apple's new vector-based engine that eliminates the lag present while downloading bitmaps from Google's servers, making for smoother zooming. New to Maps is turn-by-turn navigation spoken directions in certain countries, 3D views in some major cities and real-time traffic. Turn-by-turn navigation is only available for iPhone 4S or later and iPad 2 or later with cellular capability, while 3D views are only available for iPhone 4S or later, fifth-generation iPod Touch, and iPad 2 and later.

Another change includes the inability to download Podcasts through the regular iTunes application. Instead, users are prompted to download the official Podcasts App in order to continue.

iOS 6 brings the retrieval of documents such as boarding passes, admission tickets, coupons and loyalty cards through its new Passbook app. An iOS device with Passbook can be scanned under a reader to process a mobile payment at participating locations. The app has context-aware features such as notifications for relevant coupons when in the immediate vicinity of a given store.

Apple’s Siri intelligent personal assistant was improved to include the ability to make restaurant reservations, launch apps, dictate Facebook or Twitter updates, retrieve movie reviews and detailed sports statistics. Siri, which previously was only supported on iPhone 4S, is also now supported on iPhone 5, fifth-generation iPod Touch, third- through fourth-generation iPad and iPad Mini.

Facebook comes integrated through Apple’s native apps with iOS 6. Facebook features can be directly accessed from within native apps such as Calendar which can sync Facebook events, or use Facebook’s like button from within the Apple App Store.

New privacy settings are available to the user. In addition to location services, the following have been added in iOS 6: photos (already partially restricted in iOS 5), contacts (address book), calendars, reminders, Bluetooth sharing, Twitter, Facebook, and Sina Weibo. iOS 6 also comes with a "Limit ad tracking" user control in the general settings menu to allow users the option to prevent targeted advertising. Apple's Advertising Identifier replaces the company’s existing UDID standard. Advertising networks not yet using Apple's Advertising Identifier device identifier standard would not be affected although Apple will require the standard in the future.

Problems

In iOS 6, Apple replaced the previous Google Maps-based application with its own Maps, and was faced with poor reception from critics and users, with inaccurate or incomplete data, no support for transit maps, and low-quality satellite imagery. Apple was also faced with criticism from Ireland's Minister for Justice and Equality Alan Shatter when a map incorrectly marked Airfield, a farming area in Dundrum, Dublin, with an icon indicating that it was an airport. Apple CEO Tim Cook later issued a letter on Apple's website apologizing for the "frustration caused by the Maps application".

In September 2012, a privacy expert with the software company Abine expressed her concern that in spite of new targeted ad opt-outs, advertisers could still identify users based on other data and Apple could curate user databases for marketing or to sell to others. Also that month, several users have reported a higher-than-normal data usage after iOS 6 upgrade, causing some to be heavily billed for data largely exceeding their data plan.

The iOS 6.1 update released on January 28, 2013 has generated reports of decreased battery life and issues with signal strength.

Version history: portable iOS devices

Main article: iOS version history

iOS 6 was previewed on June 11, 2012 during WWDC 2012, with release announced for Fall 2012. Following the pattern of previous iOS releases, older devices are no longer supported, specifically the third-generation iPod Touch and the first-generation iPad. Supported devices on this release include the iPhone 3GS onwards, the fourth-generation iPod Touch onwards, and the iPad 2 onwards.

On September 12, 2012 at San Francisco's Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, amongst other items unveiled, Apple announced three iOS related items; the release of the next generation of iPhone, called iPhone 5, the fifth-generation iPod Touch, along with the final release of iOS 6.0.

iOS 6 was released to the public through iTunes and over-the-air updates on September 19, 2012.

Table of versions: iOS 6.x – portable iOS devices
Version	Build	Baseband	Release date	Features
iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod Touch (4th and 5th generation), iPad 2, iPad (3rd and 4th generation) and iPad Mini
6.0	10A403 10A405 10A406	05.16.07 1.00.16 3.0.04 2.0.02 04.12.02 3.0.04 04.12.02 3.0.04	September 19, 2012 (2012-09-19)	Initial release on iPhone 5, iPod Touch (5th generation), iPad (4th generation) and iPad Mini. Not all features available across devices. Siri,,,,, Siri now available on iPad (3rd, 4th generation and Mini), iPhone (4s and 5) and iPod Touch (only 5th generation). Additional country and language support for Canada (English and Canadian French), China (Mandarin), Hong Kong (Cantonese), Italy (Italian), Korea (Korean), Mexico (Spanish), Spain (Spanish), Switzerland (Italian, French, German), Taiwan (Mandarin), US (Spanish). Local search works around the world. Siri can now provide information on sports leagues such as NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, WNBA, NCAA basketball and American football, the Premier League, MLS, and more. Ask for player stats, team rosters, game schedules and team standings. Siri can provide information on movies like find movie reviews, ask about actors and actresses, play a movie trailer, get showtimes for movies and find a theater/cinema. Yelp! built-in reviews and launch to open up more information and create reservations with OpenTable. Restaurants are listed by reviews and nearest with more information. Apps can be launched by saying "run <app name>" or "open <app name>". Siri can send Tweets and update Facebook status. Siri can read items from Notification Center. "Eyes Free", allowing car companies to build-in Siri integration; with a mic button on steering wheel, and for launching Siri functions, and screen disabling during Eyes Free mode. Facebook integration Share to Facebook from Share button and apps can access Facebook accounts; similar to Twitter integration in iOS 5. Integrated into Notification Center. Integrated in Siri and APIs for third-party apps. Contacts synced from friends' contact information on Facebook. Facebook Events and birthdays in Calendar. "Like" button on apps and content from the App Store and iTunes Store. Twitter Icon matches Twitter's new logo. Passbook (iPhone and iPod Touch only) New app that manages a user's boarding passes, movie tickets, retail coupons, loyalty cards, etc. in one app. Store coupons and gift cards in a wallet-like app (e.g. Apple Store, Starbucks, Target, etc.). Passes are updated in real time if changes are made (e.g. spending money on a store card, flight time, gate change, etc.). Passes are location and time-based, appearing on the lock screen when relevant. Notification Center Update Facebook status or Tweet from new widget. Message previews can now be toggled on/off for alerts. Calendar now shows the current date in the title bar. Shows ending times for Calendar events. Added "Do Not Disturb" for Notifications. (See Settings, below, for more information) Photos Shared Photo Streams. Photos can be shared with other contacts. Photos shared can be commented on and liked. Notifications are enabled for when a contact shares a photo with the user. New sharing menu using new icons. Has options for Twitter (with new icon), Facebook, Weibo (when Chinese keyboard is enabled), as well as Copy, Use Wallpaper, Print. Videos can be uploaded to Youku and Tudou when the Chinese keyboard is enabled. Constantly shows a button to create new Albums. Music New streamlined UI with white and black themes. Late Night Mode equaliser. Settings "Bluetooth" moved to top of Settings list. Added "Do Not Disturb" mode, allowing users to avoid calls and notifications unless calling parties are on the user's Favorites group. A crescent moon icon will appear in the status bar when enabled. Has no effect when the screen is on. Added in Notifications: Government warnings and AMBER Alerts (toggle on/off). New Privacy Controls. Apps must now ask for permission to access the users photos, calendars, contacts and reminders. Revised Settings icon, similar to that of the OS X System Preferences app icon. New gear animation in the Settings app shown whilst downloading an over-the-air update. Usage: Time Since Last Full Charge now available for all devices. Enable 3G under Cellular setting (iPhone). Maps menu for changing voice volume (iPhone 4S), map label language, label size, and distance units (iPhone 4 and later, iPad 2 and later, & iPod Touch (5th generation)). Settings categories now separated into groups on iPad. "Advertising" option added under "About", just above "Diagnostics & Usage" to enable or disable advertising networks from serving you "targeted ads". Phone Adds phone icon on lock screen for additional ignoring options, similar to the camera sliding icon on the lock screen in iOS 5.1. When ignoring a call, the user can message the caller or set a Reminder to call them back later or send one of three customizable quick SMS response. Phone call doesn't take up the entire lock screen when a call is incoming. (QuietIncomingCallsonLock) New white themed UI for dial pad. Maps Turn-by-turn Navigation with Siri Voice powered by TomTom (iPhone 4S and later, iPad 2 and later, & iPod Touch (5th generation)), voice directions (iPhone 4S and later only). Maps are now Apple-sourced instead of using Google sources. 3D overview for maps (iPhone 4S and later, iPad 2 and later, & iPod Touch (5th generation)). Satellite view. Flyover view for maps gives 3D satellite view.,,,, New Map icon. Lock Screen integration for turn-by-turn navigation (iPhone 4S and later, & iPad 2 and later), voice directions (iPhone 4S and later only). Yelp!integration available for businesses provides reviews and information on the business. Allows the user to launch Yelp!app from Maps. Info cards of businesses. Traffic crowd sourcing with anonymous data sent from all iPhones, also adds events of traffic slow-down. Re-routing around traffic accidents and road work. Tapping search bar will automatically give you directions from current location to back home, can be changed. FaceTime Make FaceTime calls over cellular (some carriers require certain data plans, like AT&T).,, Mail VIP inbox stars important emails from user defined VIP group members. Flagged emails inbox. Attach photos and videos quickly with a long-press. Open password-protected Microsoft Office documents. Added Pull-to-Refresh gesture to update Mail accounts. Per account Signatures. Holding the Compose button now shows a list of all draft messages, rather than just the most recent draft message. Email addressed used can now be removed from the Recent list Contacts Search All Fields. Custom Vibrations for Text Message Notifications. Reminders Manual Reader. Manual location based reminders. Location based reminders (iPad (3rd generation); previously only available for iPhone 4 & iPhone 4S) (option removed in Golden Master). Safari Fullscreen landscape mode (for iPhone and iPod Touch). iCloud tab syncing across iOS devices and Macs. Offline reading list caches the user's reading list for later use, even when not connected to the Internet (not available for iPhone 3GS and iPod Touch (4th generation)). Smart App Banners: Banners on mobile webpages prompt users to download the website's native App Store counterpart in the App Store. Faster JavaScript engine. Apps in search results. Support for photo upload via Camera Roll to web forms with <input type="file"> elements. Support up to 25 open tabs on iPad. Bookmarks window now displays tabs along the bottom of the window for switching between viewing "Bookmarks", "History" and "Reading list"; previously was just listed all in one source list (iPad 2 and later only). Bookmarks button changes to Reading list icon with a progress bar when updating the Reading list for offline use (iPad 2 and later only). Long press the "Back" or "Forward" button to reveal the browsing history (for iPhone 3GS and later, iPod Touch (4th generation) and later. Previously only available for iPad since iOS 5.x). App Store New UI. Darker theme. Applications can be purchased from within apps. Installing an app no longer returns the user to the home screen; apps will download and install while continuing to browse the store. Updating an app no longer requires the iTunes password to be entered. Tap the screenshots of app to enter Full Screen mode. Open the app that have been already installed by tapping the "Open" button. Developer page on the bottom of app details screen. Update History on the bottom of app details screen. Related item on the middle of app details screen. Share sheet button on the right top of app details screen. Install free apps without an Apple ID. iTunes New UI. Darker theme. Content can be purchased from within apps (previously available since iOS 5.0). Accessibility Guided Access: Allows user to lock exiting of the app in Single App Mode. Allows users to disable certain controls within a specific app. Locks the home button from being used to act like a kiosk. Speak Selection Allows selected text to be read using the same Text-To-Speech that powers VoiceOver. Allows speech rate and dialect to be changed and words to be highlighted as they are read. When in use, infers language from context, and when no context is available, offers a choice. Pause/resume is available. iCloud Personal Dictionary synchronisation. Passbook synchronisation. Clock Set a song as an alarm sound. Clock app for iPad. Weather New UI. Stocks Historical data can be viewed for the past 5 and 10 years when in landscape mode. Game Center Game Center challenges. Facebook friends integration. Opportunity to delete games without deleting the apps from a device. Camera HDR improvements. Darker theme (iPhone & iPod Touch only). Panorama Mode (iPhone 4S and later, & iPod Touch (5th generation) only). Ability to take pictures while recording video (iPhone 5, & iPod Touch (5th generation) only). Face detection is now on the iPad 2 Calendar Add Facebook events and friends' birthdays into Calendar. Security Kernel ASLR added. Other Lost Mode: If an iOS device is lost, Lost Mode triggers an attention grabbing sound, prompting the person who finds the iPhone to call a specific number set by the owner remotely. Additional features for China (Baidu search engine added, China social network, improved inputting method). Weibo Integrated (when Chinese Keyboard enabled). VoiceOver improvements. Custom Vibrations for Alerts. Global Network proxy for HTTP. IPv6 support for Wi-Fi and LTE. Auto Correction for every keyboard. Bluetooth MAP support. Improved keyboard layouts. New Thai keyboard (full keyboard). French, German, and Spanish dictionaries. (Download necessary at time of first use) "Made For iPhone" specification for hearing aids. A blue "New" ribbon over newly installed apps. Status bar reflects the color of the top-most banner in 3rd party apps. (iPhone and iPod Touch only) Spotlight lists name of folder an app is located in. Setup for iMessage & FaceTime added to initial device first time setup. Folders now let you store up to 16 apps (iPhone 5 and iPod Touch (5th generation)).
6.0.1	10A523 10A525	05.16.07 1.01.00 3.0.04 2.0.02 04.12.02 3.0.04 04.12.02 3.0.04	November 1, 2012 (2012-11-01)	Bug fixes, security update Fixes a bug that prevents iPhone 5 from installing software updates wirelessly over the air. Fixes a bug where horizontal lines may be displayed across the keyboard. Fixes an issue that could cause camera flash to not go off. Improves reliability of iPhone 5 and iPod Touch (5th generation) when connected to encrypted WPA2 Wi-Fi networks. Resolves an issue that prevents iPhone from using the cellular network in some instances. Consolidated the Use Cellular Data switch for iTunes Match. Fixes a Passcode Lock bug which sometimes allowed access to Passbook pass details from lock screen. Fixes a bug affecting Exchange meetings. Adds Finger-Rejection.
6.0.2	10A551	1.01.00	December 18, 2012 (2012-12-18)	Bug fix Fixes a bug that could impact Wi-Fi (iPhone 5 and iPad Mini only).
6.1	10B141 10B142 10B143 10B144	05.16.08 3.04.25 3.4.01 2.0.02 2.3.03 3.0.04 04.12.05 3.0.04	January 28, 2013 (2013-01-28)	Larger "Report a Problem" button in Maps. New music controls on lock screen when you double-press home button. Siri can now purchase movie tickets via Fandango (USA only). LTE now works with several European, African, Asian and American carriers. Individual songs can once again be downloaded or deleted when using iTunes Match. An empty Passbook will automatically add a sample pass explaining passbook functionality. The pass text changes slightly for users in British English speaking countries, changing “movie tickets” to “cinema tickets” in the first sentence, and “theaters” to “cinemas” in the last sentence. Reset Advertising Identifier button now works. New cellular data option for iTunes (it is available from iOS 6.0). When setting up an iOS device for the first time with iCloud, it will now ask you to confirm your Apple ID password for FaceTime and iMessages. It will also ask you to confirm how you'd like people to reach you, and tells you that you can change these settings at any time later on. Fixed an iPhone 5 bug that prevented the phone from reconnecting to the cellular network when it lost connection for an extended amount of time. "Accessory attached" splashscreen removed. Bi-directional control now possible. Fixed a Bluetooth A2DP trigger delay - the beginning of the audio stream cut off (e.g. when navigating turn-by-turn, you heard "HT in .5 miles" instead of "TURN RIGHT in .5 miles" in your A2DP headset/speakers) Security fixes.
6.1.1	10B145	3.4.02	February 6, 2013 (2013-02-06)	Bug fix Fixes an issue that could impact cellular performance and reliability (iPhone 4, 4S and 5 only).
6.1.2	10B146 10B147	05.16.08 3.4.02 04.12.05 3.04.25 2.3.03	February 19, 2013 (2013-02-19)	Bug fix Fixes an Exchange calendar bug that could result in increased network activity and reduced battery life. Disables background audio from video in Safari and other browsers.
6.1.3	10B329	05.16.08 3.4.02 04.12.05 3.04.25 2.3.03	February 18, 2013 (2013-02-18)	Bug fix Improvements to Maps in Japan. Security fixes. Patches the jailbreak exploit (Untethered, Semi-Tethered and Tethered) used by evasi0n, redsn0w, and sn0wbreeze.
6.1.4	10B350	3.04.25	May 2, 2013 (2013-05-02)	Bug fix Fixes a bug that could allow someone to bypass the passcode and access the Phone app. Updated audio profile for speakerphone
iOS Version	Apple TV Software	Build	Release date	Features

Version history: Apple TV (2nd generation) onwards

Main article: iOS version history

On September 24, 2012, Apple TV (2nd generation) onwards received the iOS 6.0 software update, with version 5.1's main features being Shared Photo Streams, iTunes account switching, better AirPlay functionality, and Trailers searching, among other smaller improvements.

Table of versions: iOS 6.x – Apple TV (2nd generation) onwards
iOS version	Apple TV Software	Build	Release date	Features
6.0	5.1	10A406E (5201)	September 24, 2012	Shared Photo Streams: Accept invitations for Shared Photo Streams, browse photos and comments, and receive notifications of new content. AirPlay: Send audio content from Apple TV to AirPlay-enabled speakers/devices (including AirPort Express and other Apple TVs). Also includes the ability to require an onscreen code to use AirPlay with your Apple TV. iTunes account switching: Save multiple iTunes accounts and switch quickly between them. Trailers: Search for movie trailers. In the United States, see show times for local theaters. Screen savers: New Cascade, Shrinking Tiles, and Sliding Panels screen savers. Main menu: Reorder icons on the second page by holding down the select button on the remote. Subtitles: SDH support for the deaf and hard-of-hearing as well as improvements to viewing and selecting subtitles. Network configuration: Support for setting up advanced network options using configuration profiles. Stability and performance: Includes general performance and stability improvements.
6.0.1	5.1.1	10A831 (5433)	November 29, 2012	Adds support for Up Next with iTunes 11 or iTunes Match. Includes performance and stability improvements with the iTunes Store, AirPlay, Netflix, iTunes Match, and wired ethernet connections.
6.1	5.2	10B144b (6010.96)	January 28, 2013	Bluetooth keyboards: Adds support for some Bluetooth keyboards (including Apple Wireless Keyboard). iTunes in the Cloud: Browse and play purchased iTunes music directly from iCloud. Airplay: Send stereo audio from video content on Apple TV to AirPlay-enabled speakers/devices (including AirPort Express and other Apple TVs). Stability and performance: Includes general performance and stability improvements.
6.1.3		10B329a (6025)	March 19, 2013	Hulu Plus app: Completely redesigned, adds support for closed-captioning. iTunes in the Cloud: Adds support for Music in the Cloud in Japan and Israel. Stability and performance: Including improvements for software update, subtitles, and general performance. Security Fixes.
iOS Version	Apple TV Software	Build	Release date	Features

Notes

iPhone

^P1 iPhone (1st generation)

^P2 iPhone 3G

^P3 iPhone 3GS

^P4 iPhone 4

^P4C iPhone 4 (CDMA version)

^P4S iPhone 4S

^P5 iPhone 5

iPod Touch

^T1 iPod Touch (1st generation)

^T2 iPod Touch (2nd generation)

^T3 iPod Touch (3rd generation)

^T4 iPod Touch (4th generation)

^T5 iPod Touch (5th generation)

iPad

^S1 iPad (1st generation) Wi-Fi only

^S1C iPad (1st generation) Wi-Fi+3G

^S2 iPad 2 Wi-Fi only

^S2C iPad 2 Wi-Fi+3G GSM

^S2D iPad 2 Wi-Fi+3G CDMA

^S3 iPad (3rd generation) Wi-Fi only

^S3L iPad (3rd generation) Wi-Fi+4G (LTE) (AT&T/global version)

^S3D iPad (3rd generation) Wi-Fi+4G (LTE) (Verizon version)

^S4 iPad (4th generation) Wi-Fi only

^S4L iPad (4th generation) Wi-Fi+4G (LTE) (AT&T/global version)

^S4D iPad (4th generation) Wi-Fi+4G (LTE) (Verizon version)

iPad Mini

^M1 iPad Mini Wi-Fi only

^M1C iPad Mini Wi-Fi+4G (LTE)

Apple TV (2nd generation onwards)

^A2 Apple TV (2nd generation)

^A3 Apple TV (3rd generation)

See also

• iOS
• iOS version history