Despite the fact that iOS 14 is the latest update, many people still use iOS 13 for different reasons, however it is worth noting that it is not perfect. Below, we detail the most frequent iOS 13 problems for each version of this platform, as well as some alternatives to correct them … whenever they exist.
Apple recognized a serious software vulnerability in iOS 13, which works through the default email app on iPhone and iPad. The ZecOps security group found a “zero click” exploit, which is activated remotely and could attack any model with iOS 6 or later. Since then, Apple has fixed the glitches, at least for phones that support iOS 13. Another workaround is to switch from Apple Mail and use Gmail or Outlook.
On September 19, 2019, after months in beta, Apple released iOS 13 with much fanfare, although the euphoria was brief. From the day of its release, there were multiple stability issues. Numerous bugs plagued the arrival of iOS 13, so many that Apple quickly released a beta update to iOS 13.1 a week ahead of schedule. Considering user issues, many will think twice before immediately installing the next OS update.
If you already installed iOS 13 in any of its versions, you may have encountered one or more of these problems … and perhaps more than once. While this is not an exhaustive list, here are some common iOS 13 issues and what you can do to fix them, starting with the latest version.
Prepare for 13.5.5
Apple released a beta version of iOS 13.5.5, which appears to be focused on bug fixes, and will likely launch a new audio section to the Apple News + digital subscription service.
What’s new in iOS 13.5.1
On June 1, 2020, Apple released iOS and iPadOS 13.5.1, just over a week after introducing iOS and iPadOS 13.5, major updates that introduced the COVID-19 Exposure Notification API, FaceTime changes, unlock updates related to masks and more.
IOS 13.5.1 is pretty basic. It doesn’t offer any new features, just a security update and unfortunately it doesn’t fix bugs. There are still some isolated problems associated with the troublesome arrival of 13.5. These include flaws in face identification, wallpaper, Bluetooth connectivity, GarageBand app locks, and a strange keyboard prediction error in which to type the word “vote”, “vote” (with space) or “vote for” automatically suggests “trump” regardless of whether users live in the United States. The @AppleSupport account has been saturated with screenshots and complaints about this phenomenon.
There have also been complaints about rapid battery drain after update 13.5. If you have jailbroken your iPhone, be careful: 13.5.1 will disable it. According to Apple, the update fixes a vulnerability in the recently released Unc0ver jailbreak tool and it works on all recent versions of iOS, including iOS 13.5.
What’s new in iOS 13.5
With iOS 13.5 available since May 20, 2020, users got some useful features, such as native support for the coronavirus contact tracking application and services framework. Also, Face ID recognizes you even if you wear a face mask. And it improves the performance of Group FaceTime.
Notification technology, a life-saving effort jointly developed by Apple and Google for iOS and Android, is available for public health agencies to incorporate the API into apps they develop for the population. Each user decides whether to accept exposure notifications for contact tracking. The system does not collect or use the location of the device or if the user is diagnosed with COVID-19, but it is up to the user to report this in the public health application.
IOS 13.5 issues
Problem: Playing MP4 / MPEG-4 encoded content does not work on some phones.
There is still no indication of what Apple will do about it. On the other hand, Apple has already fixed a flaw in iOS 13.5 that caused applications to stop opening and eliminated an error that attacked the function Sign in with Apple in third-party applications. That could expose some users to cyber attacks or their accounts being hacked. Apple is also fixing a vulnerability that makes it easier to jailbreak iOS 13.5.
Problem: iPadOS 13.5 boot loops
iPadOS 13.5 is another sad story, with reports that it is causing “boot loops” for the iPad Pro and does not allow playing MP4 / MPEG-4 files on iPhone. These loops first appeared in iPadOS 13.4.1 and repeat in iPadOS 13.5, causing the 10.5-inch iPad Pro to experience recurring restarts, for no apparent reason, about 30 to 45 seconds after logging in. A full factory reset does not resolve the issue, and the error renders the iPad useless. It is unclear if Apple is working on a solution and there has been no official response or recognition on the forums. The error appears to affect a limited number of users and does not appear to be widespread.
Possible solutions:
Try the new full reset procedure for iPad Pro models from 2018 to 2020. This may or may not work, but it’s worth a try.
- Press and release the button to increase the volume.
- Immediately press and release the button to decrease the volume.
- Press and hold the Power button on top. You’ll see the Slide to turn off button, but press and hold the Power button until you see the Apple logo, then release it.
- When you have completed all the steps, wait a few seconds and your iPad Pro will launch on the lock screen.
What’s new in iOS 13.4 and 13.4.1
Users had fewer complaints when iOS 13.4 arrived on March 24, 2020. Packed with features, it introduced improvements to the mail app, including toolbar updates and reciprocal encryption, so if you reply to a encrypted email, your reply will also be encrypted. iCloud Folder Sharing reappeared, making it easier to exchange documents. Memoji stickers with nine additional options made their debut, as did the universal purchase support for the App Store. This allows you to purchase an application to work on an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac and Apple TV, if the application allows it. Also, recently played arcade games now appear in the Arcade tab, so you can continue playing on each platform. On the iPad side, iPadOS 13.4 included trackpad support so that the latest iPad Pro can be used as a laptop.
The iOS 13.4.1 update landed on April 7, 2020 with multiple bug fixes, but the most prominent was the one that fixed an issue with FaceTime calls not working on earlier versions of iOS and macOS.
What’s new in iOS 13.3.1
The good news is that there are few outstanding issues with this update, so if you were having issues with previous versions of the iOS or iPadOS operating system, this version could cover a multitude of difficulties. As usual, it is not the perfect solution either. And keep in mind that if you update to 13.3.1, you will not be able to go back to previous versions. The new maintenance update for the operating system is compatible with the iPhone 6s and later models. If you haven’t received the notification yet, you should head to Settings> General> Software Update.
With iOS 13.3.1, Apple fixed some issues that came up in the previous update. For example, the error in the Communication Limits function, introduced in version 13.3 and that gave parents full control over who their children can call, chat on FaceTime or send messages. However, it also allowed communicating with strangers online through a variety of techniques described, which has been resolved by preventing adding new contacts without entering the Screen Time passcode.
The new update also allows newer iPhone models from the iPhone 11 series to disable Ultra Wideband, through a new switch. This solves the problem that allowed you to track your location even though the services were disabled. If you have an iPhone 11, look for this option in Settings> Privacy> Location services> System services and disable Networks and wireless . Interestingly, this same control is also available in previous generations of the iPhone, going back to the 6s, despite the fact that it does not have the UWB chip.
Additional 13.3.1 updates fix bugs related to Deep Fusion delays in iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro photo editing, remote image issues and undo dialogs in the mail, camera glitches when using FaceTime, push notifications by wifi and CarPlay difficulties when making phone calls in some vehicles. It now also supports Siri Indian English voices for HomePod.
The iOS 13.3.1 update includes 21 new security patches, so if you are running an older version of iOS 13, you should update to this one. The version for iPadOS 13.3.1 is identical, except for the functions that iPads do not have, such as the ultra wide camera, CarPlay, Ultra Wideband and HomePod.
New iOS 13.3.1 issues
No update is perfect, although this one is less troublesome than the previous ones. Still, some people report difficulties with downloading and installing the new update, especially on iPhone 11, which can often be resolved by a hard reset. Press and release the volume up button, and press and release the volume down button, then keep pressing the power button until the phone restarts. Or turn your phone off and on, download iOS 13.3.1 and try to install it again.
There have also been complaints about interface lag, app issues for both native and third-party apps, AirPlay issues, Touch ID and Face ID issues, and battery drain, as well as crashes, crashes, and crashes in Exchange, HomePod , iMessage, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and CarPlay.
One way to mitigate these issues is to actually prepare for the download, which is a pretty hefty amount of 200MB for an intermediate update, and even higher if you’ve skipped previous versions. Make sure you have enough free space on your iPhone to install the update and, as always, be sure to back up your data before you begin.
As you do so, you may also want to prepare for the new iOS 13.4 update, a major update that will likely have new features. It should be available soon, as it is now in its third beta version, available to developers and civilians participating in the beta program. There’s no official release date yet, but insiders are predicting it will be sometime in March.
In iOS 13.3
The iOS 13.3 update provides more parental control over your children’s online interactions in the Screen Time feature, with increased limits on who kids can call, chat on FaceTime, or send messages. The update also provides more layouts in the Apple News Plus stories, creates a new cropped video clip instead of replacing the original, and provides security keys for your FIDO2- compliant NFC, Bluetooth, and Lightning iOS device (the open standard Fast Identity Online for passwordless authentication). Gmail, Dropbox, Twitter, Outlook and Facebook all support security keys, making it quite useful for users who prefer a physical key. If you don’t like memoji stickers, you can make them disappear from the emoji keyboard.
Along with new features, iOS 13.3 addresses many bugs found in previous versions. This version of iOS is likely to solve problems that prevent you from downloading or deleting messages in Gmail accounts, the appearance of erroneous characters or the duplication of messages sent in Exchange accounts. Both iOS 13.3 and iPadOS 13.3 include a dozen security updates, plus other features and fixes.
This iOS version does not fix the iPhone 11 series ultra wideband problem, although Apple has stated its intention to provide a solution. Overall, there seems to be fewer general bugs with iOS 13.3, but don’t worry: Apple is already testing iOS 13.3.1 beta.
IOS 13.3 issues
Problem: Communication limits allow children to chat with anyone
The 13.3 Communication Limits function allows parents to control who they can send text messages to their children, communicate via FaceTime or call, but it would not be working correctly. The CNBC network revealed that the error allows the little ones to communicate with whoever they want, and even offers an alternative for strangers to communicate with their son. In theory, a child shouldn’t have the ability to add a contact to an iPhone address book without their parent entering a PIN. However, they can evade restrictions if contacts don’t sync with iCloud or via Apple Watch and Siri, which will call or text anyone, even if they are not on the contact list. This feature is also not compatible with Facebook Messenger, SnapChat and Skype. Apple says the problem only occurs on devices with a “non-standard configuration,” and has promised a total solution in future updates. Suggest the following workaround.
Possible solution: Force contacts to sync with iCloud by default
- Open Settings
- Select Contacts .
- Select Default account .
- Change iCloud for any other configuration, such as Gmail or another alternative.
Problem: battery discharge
Battery drain on iOS 13.3 is not a new problem, but it has not been solved. A client described the following on Twitter: “I just updated my iPhone 7 to iOS 13.3. The battery life remains the same as before. I guess this is how we are going to live our lives now. ” Battery life issues are a permanent problem with iOS updates. They appeared since the first version of iOS 13, and for some, the situation has not changed. Some users noted that battery life seems to degrade after upgrading to Apple’s latest mobile operating system. This is in part because iOS 13 must perform several major system-level operations to integrate with your device, such as Spotlight indexing, Photos, and various iCloud activities.
Possible solutions
- Connect your device and wait a moment. Just leave your device plugged in overnight and connected to wifi. It should take anywhere from a few hours to a day or two to get everything back to normal, especially if your device is restoring a large volume of iCloud or syncing data from multiple sources.
- Check for additional iOS updates in Settings> General> Software update . Software updates often have bug fixes, like the current series with iOS 13. If a bug or other issue is degrading battery life, it is likely to be resolved.
- Update individual applications as some may have bugs that have been fixed. With iOS 13 and later, you can update apps by going to the App Store> My Account> Recently Updated .
- Check which apps or activity your battery is consuming in Settings> Battery . Often applications that use video or location services quickly exhaust it. If you see an app you don’t use, delete it.
- Check the iPhone battery status through Settings> Battery> Battery status . If it doesn’t work at an optimal level, you may need to replace it.
- Updating apps in the background allows apps to be kept up-to-date without manual activation, which can affect battery life. Select Settings> General> Background app update and disable the switch.
- Having a high screen brightness can reduce battery life. Open Settings> Display & Brightness and adjust the slider to a lower level.
- Disables the Wake Up feature, which uses the device’s accelerometer and can cause the display to turn on more than necessary, especially if it’s active. Open Settings> Display & brightness> Lift to wake up and disable it.
- Low-power mode reduces iPhone activity and power-up to extend battery life, and can offer longer battery life. Open Settings> Battery and activate Low Power Mode . The battery icon in the iPhone menu bar will turn yellow.
- Deactivate location services for any application you don’t need through Settings> Privacy> Location services . Scroll down to the apps list and disable location access for apps that don’t require location data to function by tapping on them and choosing Never or When using the app .
- A forced restart can sometimes solve battery problems.
The problem: the mobile data service is disabled
Several users reported that with the installation of iOS 13.3 they lost mobile cellular service, and some even reported that they lost wifi and are unable to make phone calls or send text messages. Apple support a user reported that: “Since yesterday morning, the Internet connection of my iPhone 7 Plus is down. I still get notifications, but when I open the app it says I have no internet connection. This is happening in all applications, be it in mobile data or wifi. Running iOS 13.3 ″. A similar issue was also reported for iOS 13.2.2 and 13.2.3. Apple suggested several solutions.
Possible solutions
- Go to Airplane mode in Settings> Airplane mode and turn it on and off in sequence.
- Reset the network settings with Settings> General> Reset . Enter your password and confirm that you want to reset the network settings. The device will reboot and reset all settings to remove saved Wi-Fi networks, paired Bluetooth devices, cellular networks, and VPNs to restore factory default settings.
- Restart or force restart your iPhone if mobile data doesn’t work on the phone by following below steps.
- For iPhone X or 11 : Press and hold the volume and side buttons simultaneously until the power slider appears. Slide the control to turn off the phone. Turn it back on by pressing and holding the side button (on the right side), until the Apple logo appears.
- For iPhone 8, 7, or 6: Press and hold the side button until the power slider appears and drag it to turn off the device. Then turn it on again, holding down the side button until the Apple logo appears.
- For iPhone SE, 5 or earlier : Press and hold the top button until the power slider appears and drag it to turn off the device. To turn it back on, press the top button until you see the Apple logo.
Previous updates and issues
iOS 13.2
iOS 13.2 brought with it several new features that users were waiting for, including Deep Fusion camera technology on iPhone 11, which added additional layers to iOS computational photography capabilities. Announce messages with Siri option empowers the smart assistant to read incoming messages aloud when AirPods are in your ears. Other enhancements include improvements to the Music, Siri, and Dictation app history, to not share recordings with Apple, and a wide selection of various new emojis that give you the ability to choose multiple skin tones.
With iOS 13.2, Apple seemed to introduce a serious memory management bug in the multitasking environment, where many users reported that apps like Safari, YouTube, Mail and others were closing when you switched to another program. This also caused data loss. With iOS 13.2.2, Apple addressed this problem.
iOS 13.1.3
The iOS 13.1.3 and iPadOS 13.1.3 updates arrived with bug fixes and performance improvements for all devices, addressing issues in the Mail app, Bluetooth connectivity, and Game Center app launches. Most are maintenance updates designed to eliminate bugs, not to add new features.
Specifically, iOS 13.1.3 includes bug fixes and improvements for issues that prevent the device from ringing or vibrating with an incoming call, or preventing it from opening a meeting invitation by mail. The latest update is also designed to troubleshoot Bluetooth, which was disconnected in some vehicles, as well as improve the reliability of headphones and speakers. It also solves difficulties in pairing or receiving notifications on Apple Watch.
It is also looking to fix iCloud backup issues where voice memos or some apps can’t be downloaded when you do a restore from iCloud. Additionally, it resolves an issue where the data in the Health app is not displaying correctly after adjusting for daylight saving time.
All updates are delivered over the air to qualifying devices. If you want to obtain it, you must go to Settings> General> Software update . Although most likely new versions will arrive in the future. Although it is not an exhaustive list, we have compiled some of the most common iOS 13 problems and what you can do to solve them.
Problems in iOS 13.1.2 and 13.1.3
Apple’s support feed on Twitter has been full of complaints, despite all the updates since the release of iOS 13. Most of them have to do with battery life, Apple’s email, calls that fall off and more. While some flaws don’t have a standard solution, Apple suggests a few things you can try.
Problem: missed calls on iOS 13.1.2 and 13.1.3
There are widespread reports that iOS 13.1.2 causes calls to be cut off within a minute of starting. According to a user on Apple’s Twitter support account : “Missing calls like crazy after the iOS 13 update. Very bad after the 13.1.2 update. The call drops after 30 seconds to one minute. I use the phone for business … not a good impression. iPhone X… my network keeps going down despite the new update 13.1.3 ”.
Possible solutions:
Apple has suggested the following sequence to re-route your phone calls.
Check your settings:
- Toggles airplane mode on and off. Open Control Center and activate Airplane Mode, wait five seconds, then turn it off.
- Check the Do not disturb setting in Settings> Do not disturb and make sure it is disabled.
- Check the blocked phone numbers in Settings> Phone> Blocked Contacts .
- Check if Call Forwarding is activated in Settings> Phone> Call Forwarding and make sure it is turned off.
- Check if the Silence unknown calls option is activated. If the setting is on, the caller should appear in your Contacts or Recents. Or they must have shared their number in Mail or have sent you a message using that number for their call to be made.
- Add the number to Contacts to make sure the phone rings. Calls may not be possible from some third-party applications.
Update your software:
- Remove and reinsert the SIM card.
- Contact your operator.
Try to reset the network:
Head to Settings> General> Reset> Reset network settings . This removes all saved settings, Wi-Fi passwords, preferred networks, and VPN settings.
Try to make or receive calls at a different location:
- Change to a different network band. Head to Settings> Cellular> Mobile Data Options> Enable LTE and disable Enable LTE , 4G or 3G (depending on your operator and device).
- One user wrote on Apple’s Twitter support account : “I had the same problem until I backed up my phone and performed a full restore with the latest iOS and everything is fine now.” So this is also an option.
Problem: lost contacts in iOS 13.1.3
After updating to iOS 13.1.3, some iPhone users detected that their Contacts app was not working properly. Some have names but no content, while others simply appear empty. This issue underscores the importance of backing up your devices.
Possible solutions:
- Combine contacts from iCloud. If all or some of your contacts are missing, use iCloud to restore them without overwriting current information. Head to Settings> Your name> iCloud> Contacts . Your device may give you two options for pre-synced contacts. Choose to keep them on iPhone and Merge. Your contacts should be restored.
- Synchronize your contacts with iCloud again, then use this app by default. Select Settings> Contacts> Default account> iCloud.
- Reset all settings, then sync iCloud contacts.
- Factory reset iPhone and restore backup from iTunes or iCloud.
- Sign out, open iCloud and sync your contacts again.
- Head to Contacts> Group> Check all iCloud or All iPhone to see all your contacts.
- Restore device completely or force restart.
Problem: Siri makes speaker calls by default
Apple’s forums have revealed some issues with Siri and phone calls. “Since I updated to iOS 13, I noticed that every time I ask Siri to make a phone call, it is made using the default speaker. I am not asking to put the call on the speaker and I have tried to restart my phone with no luck. Every time I say something like, “Hey Siri, call Jim,” the call is made and the speakerphone is put on. You must deactivate the voice function and continue the call ”. This can be especially dangerous if you are driving.
Possible solutions:
- This is a workaround that can work depending on your iPhone model: Accessibility> Tap> Call Audio Routing> Bluetooth Headset.
- If you tell Siri to hold down the power button, it might work as well, but it implies that your hands should leave the wheel and they’ll have to handle the phone, which we certainly don’t recommend.
Old problems
Problem: error with third-party keyboards
Apple released a security warning about third-party keyboard apps on iOS 13. You can use running third-party keyboards, such as Gboard or SwiftKey, but you must authorize them to provide additional features to other apps. One problem with iOS 13 is that they could get full access even without your approval. The bug only affects keyboards that require full access, which is not the case for Apple. With full access, developers can capture data on keystrokes, for example. However, Gboard requires this permission to perform Google searches from the keyboard.
Possible solutions:
- Update to iOS 13.1.1 or iPadOS 13.1.1 to resolve the issue affecting third-party keyboards on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
- Check if you granted full access without your consent and change them by tapping Settings> General> Keyboard> Keyboards .
- Uninstall the third-party keyboards you don’t trust until Apple definitively solves the problem.
Problem: Failed Apple Mail
Numerous issues with iOS 13 Mail performance have been reported. Bugs include the iPhone Mail app, which won’t start, won’t update, won’t sync on iPhone or iPad, won’t send messages, open message drafts when starting app, It does not allow you to install email and third-party accounts, flaws in email notifications, it does not allow you to create new accounts, errors in the push function and you cannot see who sent you an email.
One user wrote to Apple’s Twitter support account: “Not being able to see who the sender is is one thing. But also when you check reply, the recipient field is empty. You cannot search by topic. My email is sending duplicate messages. It’s really annoying, how do I stop it? ”
Possible solutions:
There are several possible solutions for a mail application that is having problems in iOS 13, depending on what is happening. This is a variety of problems and some ways to solve it .
- Check the App Store for software updates available for third-party applications, such as Yahoo Mail or Gmail, that you should add.
- If email notifications don’t work, make sure they’re enabled. Open Settings> Mail> Notifications> Allow notification .
- If you can’t create more than one account, be sure to disable the Restriction setting, which prevents you from adding them. Launch Settings> Screen time> Select Content & privacy restrictions> Allowed apps> Mail and turn on the switch.
- Allow the email application to use mobile data by selecting Settings> Mobile and activate the Mail option .
- Reset the network settings with Settings> General> Reset> Reset network settings . You will need to enter your password.
- If network reset doesn’t work, check the Push , Fetch, or Manual options, which control account activity through Settings> Passwords and Accounts settings> Get new data settings .
- Force-close the app and reopen it. It is a common solution when it is not synchronized correctly. Double-click the Start button to see all running applications, swipe up the applications to close them, and start Mail again .
- If your iPhone’s email app fails, try restarting the device.
- If the problems are still not resolved, delete the Mail account from your device and add it again. Select Settings> Passwords and accounts . You will see all the accounts on the screen and choose the one with errors. You will see the Delete account option at the bottom of the screen. Click on it to remove the account from the device and then add it again.
Problem: Reminder sync fails
With iOS 13, the Reminders app received a new interface, organizational features, smart lists, a quick toolbar, and the ability to add photos, web links, and documents. But some users have reported issues with syncing notes, missing lists, deleted reminders, changes to list names, wrong dates and times, and other issues.
An entry in Apple’s Twitter support account says: “Please fix the Reminders now! It is a complete disaster. I have not been able to access my reminders since I upgraded to iOS 13. I upgraded my iPhone to 13.1.1 and it got worse. iCloud.com won’t even show my reminders. ”
Possible solutions:
Apple supports the reminders will not sync properly unless all of their devices are running the latest software, including your Mac, whose upcoming MacOS Catalina is still in beta. According to Apple, “the updated reminders are not compatible with previous versions of iOS and macOS. If you update Reminders on your iPhone with iOS 13, your iPad and Mac with the same iCloud account will not be able to access their reminders until iPadOS and macOS 10.15 Catalina are available. ”
According to Apple, you will be able to access the complete Reminders on iCloud.com or it is also possible to delay a complete update of Reminders on iOS 13 until after the launch of macOS Catalina. If you are users of this application, below we show you how to avoid their problems.
- After updating to iOS 13, connect your device to the internet before opening the Reminders app for the first time.
- When launching the application, a Welcome to Reminders screen will offer some users an option to update the application now or later.
- If you choose Update later , the application screen will have a blue Update button , which you can select when you decide to do it.
- The update only affects existing reminders in your main iCloud account, but not in other iCloud, CalDAV or Exchange accounts.
- Sharing a list of Reminders with the Add People feature does not work in iOS 13, but Apple promised to resolve this issue in a future update.