iPhone 12 Problems: 5 Things You Need to Know

Problems are plaguing iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max users.

iPhone 12 users are complaining about a wide variety of issues ranging from minor bugs to serious performance issues. And while some of these issues will likely be resolved by Apple in future iOS updates, we will likely see more problems will popup as people put more wear and tear on their devices.

In the guide below, you can learn about the current state of iPhone 12 issues, potential fixes for these problems, places to find feedback, and what’s next from Apple in terms of iOS 16 updates.

iPhone 12 Problems

Activation issues always plague iPhones so it comes as no surprise to learn that some new iPhone 12 owners have been dealing with them.

If you’re having issues activating your phone, check Apple’s System Status page. If you don’t see a green symbol next to iOS Device Activation, you’ll want to wait until it’s green and then try activating the phone again.

If it’s green and the process still isn’t working, make sure you have a SIM card inserted in your iPhone. If you’re receiving a “No Sim” or “Invalid SIM” error, you’ll want to head to this guide for assistance.

We’re also hearing about Face ID problems, issues with first and third-party applications, Exchange problems, iCloud issues, visual voicemail problems, SIM card issues, Bluetooth issues, issues with the screen, charging problems, Wi-Fi issues, sound problems, and excessive battery drain.

Owners of the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12, both of which employ a design with aluminum edges, are reportedly seeing discoloration on the chassis. A report from from Svetapple states that the color is fading on parts of the edges.

On top of that, iPhone 12 users are complaining about 5G/LTE issues. Some users are saying cellular service is dropping unexpectedly while on-the-go. Others are complaining that they aren’t seeing the 5G speeds they expected.

It’s important to note that 5G is a relatively new technology and coverage can be inconsistent. Some of the frustrations with slow 5G performance should resolve over time as carriers such as Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile build out their 5G networks.

iPhone 12 Performance

If you’re thinking about buying an iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, or an iPhone 12 Pro Max, or if you already own one, you’ll want to monitor feedback from those who have adopted these devices. This feedback will alert you to potential issues with the hardware and software.

We recommend keeping an eye on YouTube, Apple’s discussion forums, social media sites like Twitter, and sites like the MacRumors forums for ongoing feedback about the phones.

If you’re thinking about moving to Apple’s iOS 16 firmware, or if you’ve already made the move, take a look at our guide that covers the latest version of the software.

How to Fix iPhone 12 Problems

If you run into a problem, there’s no need to panic. There’s a good chance you’ll be able to avoid taking your new device into an Apple Store or your local carrier store for assistance.

First, take a look at our list of fixes for the most common iPhone 12 problems. It will take you through fixes for common issues like broken Bluetooth and busted Wi-Fi.

We’ve also released some tips to help you improve performance and a guide that could help you improve your phone’s battery life if you start noticing abnormal drain.

If you can’t find a fix for your issue(s) in our guides, you’ll want to check Apple’s discussion forums and see if someone has a fix for your problem(s).

If you can’t find anything there, it’s time to get in touch with Apple. You can do so via the company’s support account on Twitter. You can also get in contact with Apple Support via the company’s website.

If you’d rather explain your issue in person, you should take your phone into your local Apple Store and see if they can diagnose your problem. If you’ve got an Apple Store in your area, you’ll want to schedule a Genius Bar appointment.

Your iPhone 12 might still be under warranty so they might offer you a replacement if the problem is serious enough.

How to Downgrade iPhone 12’s Software

If you’re dealing with software problems on your iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, or iPhone 12 Pro Max, you can try downgrading to the previous version of iOS if the option is available.

If you’re unfamiliar with the downgrade process our iOS downgrade guide will walk you through everything you need to know before you make the move.

What’s Next for the iPhone 12

If your phone is struggling on iOS 16.6 or an older version of iOS, you’ll be on your own for a bit.

Apple’s reportedly working on a new iOS 16.7 update. We expect it to roll out in September alongside Apple’s new iOS 17 operating system.

The company will push iOS 17 to the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max later this year, probably sometime in mid-September.

For more about iOS 17 and its release, have a look at our guide.

Install iOS 16.6.1 for Better Security

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If security is important to you, think about installing Apple's iOS 16.6.1 update on your iPhone right away. iOS 16.6.1 isn't a huge upgrade, but it does have two important security patches for your device on board. If you're interested in what they patch up, here's Apple's guide.  As for older software, the iOS 16.6 update delivered 16 security patches. For more information about the changes, check out Apple's rundown.   iOS 16.5.1 brought two security patches to iPhone users  If you want to learn more, head on over to Apple's website. The company's iOS Security Response 16.5.1 (c) update also included a security update and you can learn more about it right here. iOS 16.5 brought a ton of security patches to the iPhone. You can find out more about them over on Apple's security site. iOS 16.4.1 included two security upgrades . You can learn more about the pair right here. Apple's iOS 16.4 update had a substantial number of patches on board. You can read about them in detail over on Apple's security site. The iOS 16.3.1 update had three security patches on board including one for an actively exploited vulnerability. For more on the security contents of iOS 16.3.1, check out Apple's security page.  iOS 16.3 brought 10+ new security patches with it and you can learn more about all of those right here.  In addition, the software came with support for physical security keys for Apple ID. These will beef up your account security by requiring a physical security key as part of the two factor authentication sign in process. Learn more about the change right here. If you skipped iOS 16.2, you'll get its changes with iOS 16.6.1. iOS 16.2 brought a ton of important security patches with it and you can dig into the details on Apple's security site.  The update also brought end-to-end encryption to iCloud, iMessage, iPhone backups, Notes, Photos, and more. If you want to learn more about it, head over to Apple's guide.  If you decided to missed iOS 16.1.2, you'll get its solitary security patch with your upgrade. Learn more about it right here. If you skipped iOS 16.1.1, you'll get its security patches when you upgrade. You can learn more about them right here. If you missed the iOS 16.1 update, it brought 19 security patches to the iPhone and you can learn about the particulars of those over on Apple's website. If you failed to download iOS 16.0.3, it had one security patch on board, a fix for a potential exploit within the Mail app. For more about the fix, check out Apple's security site. If you're still running iOS 15 your iPhone, you'll get a bunch of other patches when you upgrade. iOS 16.0 brought a ton of security patches to the iPhone. If you're interested in the exact nature of these improvements, you can read about them over on Apple's security website. In addition to those patches, iOS 16 brings some additional enhancements to privacy and security including Safety Check which, according to Apple, will help "people in domestic or intimate partner violence situations review and reset the access they’ve granted others."  The feature also resets system privacy permissions for apps and restricts Messages and FaceTime to the device on hand. Apple's also made some improvements to Passkeys in Safari. iOS 16 brings a brand new sign-in method that's end-to-end encrypted and safe from phishing and data leaks.

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