As its latest software updates for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad users, Apple has launched iOS 13.3.1 and iPadOS 13.3.1. One of the most notable changes that iOS 13.3.1 brings is the ability to let users disable the location-tracking functionality of the U1 Ultra Wideband chip.
The latest iOS updated also resolves the issue with the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max limited Deep Fusion mode. There are also several other bug fixes which are compatible with the most current software updates for both iPhones and iPads.
What’s new with iOS 13.3.1, iPadOS 13.3.1?
As per Apple’s changelog, the update to iOS 13.3.1 allows users to control the use of U1 Ultra Wideband User Services. The chip is currently limited to the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max and is used to offer an improved AirDrop experience.
It is also suspected that Apple is using item trackers to take the Bluetooth app maker Tile later this year. In the meantime, the company faced some discussion of using the U1 chip in a constant way to locate the user in the past.
The U1 chip works on the Ultra Wideband (UWB) radio technology to enable precise location and spatial awareness. But since it collects location data of the user in the background, it has encouraged criticism.
Through iOS 13.3.1, Apple has attempted to put the ongoing concerns pertaining to the U1 chip to rest and provided a setting to disable its location-tracking functionality. All you need to do is to visit the Settings app and then go to Privacy > Location Services > System Services > Networking & Wireless option. There, you’ll find a switch that you can turn off to disable the use of location services by the U1 chip on your iPhone 11 or iPhone 11 Pro model.
It is worth pointing out that turning off the location-tracking functionality of the U1 chip will disable the use of location services to enhance Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections on your iPhone. You’ll also not receive the enhanced AirDrop experience that Apple brought through the iOS 13.1 update in September 2019.
In addition to restricting the U1 chip, the update to iOS 13.3.1 addresses a communication limit issue that may allow the introduction of touch without entering the time passcode of the device.
The new software update also addresses the issue of editing a Deep Fusion image on iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Plus, and iPhone 11 Pro Max with immediate deletion. In addition, the update addresses an issue with the Mail app in which remote images can be loaded even when the Load Remote Imaging feature is deactivated.
The iOS update also improves FaceTime calling by addressing the issue that could bring the rear-facing ultra-wide camera in use instead of the wide camera. Apple has also resolved a problem related to push notifications and addressed the CarPlay issue that could cause distorted sound in phone calls.
Unlike iOS 13.3.1, iPadOS 13.3.1 also has contact restrictions, push notifications and the mail app updates. The update with iPad also solves the problem which could lead to multiple undo dialogs in the mail app. In addition, Indian English Siri’s voices are provided for HomePod.
A dedicated support page outlines the security material included in the latest iOS and iPadOS updates. Many flaws and protection breakdowns are discussed.
