IPhone iOS 13.5.1: Issues and Fixes

The new iPhone iOS 13.5.1 was released at the beginning of June. Following fast on the heels of 13.5, released in May, this mini update is primarily designed to plug a security gap that had allowed people to jailbreak the latest devices.

As with every new iOS, many users have been reporting strange issues with their devices following the latest upgrade. In this article, we’ve collated together some of the reported problems that have emerged for iPhone users and ways that you could fix these complaints.

What is iOS 13.5.1?

As mentioned above, iOS upgrade 13.5.1 is a small, hurried update solely designed to patch a security error unearthed in iOS 13.5. Known as the Uncover jailbreak, it had the potential to become a serious security issue. The pressure caused by this flaw is why the new 13.5.1 update was released in such quick time and for the sole purpose of closing this loophole.

In fact, 13.5.1 has been released so quickly that many people would have just been getting used to 13.5, which was a more substantial release. Introduced in May, 13.5's primary changes concerned COVID-19, including modifications to Face ID allowing it to notice people wearing masks, and the introduction of an exposure notification framework which is set to feature in mobile COVID tracing apps across the world.

While update 13.5.1 has fixed the security issue, some problems noticed when upgrading to 13.5 remain, the biggest of which can be seen below.

iPhone Green-Tinted Screen

Arguably the most significant issue reported following the iOS 13.5 upgrade has been the green screen effect, where the display takes on a murky, greenish hue. The biggest problem with this current issue is that it appears to affect a lot of phones, but nobody is quite sure how or why.

There has not been any official statement on the issue from Apple, so much of the information here is gathered from various owner reports. It is widely accepted that the problem affects iPhones from the X upwards, all of which have OLED displays. When the issue is apparent can vary – sometimes it is only when the brightness is down or just after the phone is unlocked, but for others, it has been more permanent.

How to Fix iPhone Green Tint

One of the biggest issues with the green tint is that there’s currently no fix. Once a phone has been upgraded to iOS 13.5.1, it cannot now be downgraded. Furthermore, reports are emerging that Apple is starting to offer replacement displays for certain mobiles, which indicates that the issue may be more deep-rooted than previously thought.

iPhone Face ID Issues

Face ID was one of the most notable updates with iOS 13.5, with changes designed to help it work with people wearing face masks. However, some people have reported that their Face ID has stopped working altogether.

Affected phones, when setting up a Face ID, get an error message saying it is not available at this time. Thankfully, this issue appears much less common than the green tint but is also a problem with no clear solution currently.

Increased Battery Drain

As with many iOS improvements, many users have reported seeing an increased battery drain on their devices since the upgrade. While this is common, many people are still wary when they see their iPhone’s battery life begin to plummet.

Thankfully, the battery drain issue is one that can be fixed without any technical changes required. Often the battery drain is just because the apps and software are updating themselves which, if you have a large bank of apps, can take a few days. Simply allowing the iOS update to work itself out for a few days can be enough – after this, you should see your battery performance return to normal.

Other iOS 13.5.1 Issues

There are a few more minor issues that are being reported with the latest iOS update, which include Bluetooth connectivity issues and the GarageBand app crashing. However, these are in very isolated cases and are not something you should be concerned about if you are considering the upgrade.

When is the Next iOS Update?

An upgrade to 13.5.5 is currently in its beta stage and is expected to provide some bug fixes along with an update to Apple’s News+ service. Looking further ahead, iOS14 is scheduled to be released this Autumn, which will bring Android-style widgets to the iPhone.

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