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Release record

iOS 12.4

Full article
Public release
Recorded milestones
8
Beta cycle
68d
Average interval
10d
Public release
Jul 22, 2019

Release notes

Overview

Editorial synthesis with inline references and a source ledger when citations are available.

iOS 12.4 introduced direct wireless iPhone-to-iPhone migration during setup and revised Apple News+ issue access, publication browsing, and downloaded-issue cleanup.[1]

The release re-enabled Apple Watch Walkie-Talkie after a security fix, added HomePod support in Japan and Taiwan, corrected a false-positive issue in the Leaks developer instrument, and shipped a separate multi-component security bulletin.[2][3][4]

Source ledger

References

Sources are linked to the claims they support. Publication and access dates are shown when available.

  1. About iOS 12 Updates

    Apple Support · 2026-07-29 · iOS 12.4 — iPhone migration and Apple News

    Back to text ↑
  2. iOS 12.4 Release Notes

    Apple Developer · 2026-07-29 · Instruments — Resolved Issues

    Back to text ↑
  3. About iOS 12 Updates

    Apple Support · 2026-07-29 · iOS 12.4 — Other improvements and fixes; HomePod support

    Back to text ↑
  4. About the Security Content of iOS 12.4

    Apple Support · 2026-07-29 · iOS 12.4 security content

    Back to text ↑
  5. iOS 12.4 Release Notes

    Apple Developer · 2026-07-29 · iOS 12.4 Release Notes

  6. About iOS 12 Updates

    Apple Support · 2026-07-29 · iOS 12.4

  7. About the Security Content of iOS 12.4

    Apple Support · 2026-07-29 · Released July 22, 2019

Documented & observed

Changes in this version

Source-linked features, fixes, known issues, removals, and community-observed behavior recorded across this version’s appearances and verified builds.

Release changes

Changed in this release

Features, fixes, removals, and regressions first observed in this release record.

enhancement · introduced

Apple News+ download removal controls

documentedconfirmed

The News app added a Clear option in History for deleting downloaded magazine issues.

Recorded at Public

  1. [1] About iOS 12 Updates · iOS 12.4 — clearing downloaded magazine issues

feature · introduced

Wireless iPhone migration

documentedconfirmed

Quick Start added a wireless device-to-device migration path for moving data from an old iPhone during setup.

Recorded at Public

  1. [1] About iOS 12 Updates · iOS 12.4 — iPhone migration

developerApi · fixed

Leaks instrument false-positive correction

documentedconfirmed

Apple corrected an Instruments issue that could cause the Leaks tool to report false positives while profiling iOS apps.

Recorded at Public

  1. [1] iOS 12.4 Release Notes · Instruments — Resolved Issues

enhancement · changed

Apple News+ downloaded issues and catalog

documentedconfirmed

Downloaded magazine issues became accessible online and offline from My Magazines, and a catalog made the News+ publication lineup easier to browse.

Recorded at Public

  1. [1] About iOS 12 Updates · iOS 12.4 — Apple News+ downloaded issues and catalog

compatibility · introduced

HomePod support for Japan and Taiwan

documentedconfirmed

The companion HomePod software expanded regional availability to Japan and Taiwan.

Recorded at Public

  1. [1] About iOS 12 Updates · iOS 12.4 — HomePod Japan and Taiwan

Milestones

Release history

Every recorded channel appearance in chronological order. Open an appearance for any available build, scope, notes, and sources.

  2. +5 days
  3. +8 days
  4. +14 days
  5. +13 days
  6. +15 days
  7. +7 days
  8. +6 days

    Public release

    Public

    Source-linked recordEditorially verified

    The public iOS 12.4 release introduced wireless iPhone migration, expanded Apple News+ library controls, restored Walkie-Talkie after a security correction, added HomePod regional support, and corrected developer tooling.

    Availability
    available
    Sources
    10 linked
    Open this appearance

Historical context

Cycle comparison

Pace, intervals, and duration compared with earlier releases on the same platform.

Historical avg for .4 releases

47 days, 6.3 milestones

Based on 9 previous iOS .4 releases

Cycle vs. platform average

68d (avg: 58d)

10 days longer than the iOS average

Duration ranking

#27 of 92

Middle of the pack iOS beta cycles

Longest gap in this cycle

15 days

Between Beta 5 and Beta 6

Previous .4 releases (iOS)

Previous comparable iOS releases
VersionYearCycleMilestonesAvg. Interval
iOS 26.4202636d76d
iOS 18.4202538d76d
iOS 17.4202440d77d
iOS 16.4202339d68d
iOS 15.4202246d78d
iOS 14.4202141d414d

Scroll horizontally to compare every historical field.

Official release notes