iOS 13.3.1 is now out of beta and is available to download on millions of devices as we speak. The update addresses various iOS 13 issues and includes performance improvements.

The final release build of iOS 13.3.1 is 17D50 which is the same build that we saw on the iOS 13.3.1 Beta 3 release. and we have been using the iOS 13.3.1 Beta 3 for over a week, so we can tell how iOS 13.3.1 behaves and should you install it on your iPhone.

🐛 What are the bug fixes in iOS 13.3.1?

The update prompt for iOS 13.3.1 on iPhone only shows that it includes “bug fixes and performance improvements” but doesn’t mention in detail which of the iOS 13 issues it addresses. So, here’s the list of all issues that Apple has fixed with iOS 13.3.1 update for iPhone.

  • Fixes an issue in Communication Limits that could allow a contact to be added without entering the Screen Time passcode.
  • Addresses an issue that could cause a momentary delay before editing a Deep Fusion photo taken on iPhone 11 or iPhone 11 Pro.
  • Resolves an issue with Mail that could cause remote images to load even when the “Load Remote Images” setting is disabled.
  • Fixes an issue that could cause multiple undo dialogs to appear in Mail.
  • Addresses an issue where FaceTime could use the rear-facing ultra-wide camera instead of the wide camera.
  • Resolves an issue where push notifications could fail to be delivered over Wi-Fi.
  • Addresses a CarPlay issue that could cause distorted sound when making phone calls in certain vehicles.

🆕 New features in iOS 13.3.1 update

iOS 13.3.1 update is mostly an update for addressing the various issues related to iOS 13, but there are a couple of new features as well. Take a look.

  • Adds a setting to control the use of location services by the U1 Ultra Wideband chip
  • Introduces support for Indian English Siri voices for HomePod

There’s a new setting on iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max that allows a user to disable the U1 Ultra Wideband Chip as it was recently discovered that newer iPhones continue to track location even when location services are turned off.

The new “Networking & Wireless” toggle located in iPhone Settings » Privacy » Location Services » System Services menu allows a user to disable location sharing through Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Ultra Wideband.

📡 Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Cellular Connectivity on iOS 13.3.1

iOS updates are generally safe to install, but it often happens that it breaks the connectivity features on some devices. We checked iOS 13.3.1 on our iPhone 11, iPhone XS Max, iPhone X, and an iPhone 7, and gladly, we did not run into connectivity issues on any of our iOS devices.

  • ✅ Wi-Fi working as expected. Tested with both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks.
  • ✅ Bluetooth works in car, with headphones, and with AirPods.
  • ✅ LTE and Cellular signal same as before.
  • ✅ eSIM works the same.

🚅 iPhone speed on iOS 13.3.1

We used our iPhone 11 and iPhone XS Max with iOS 13.3.1 Beta 3 build for over a week as our daily drivers. Neither of the devices ever slowed down.

However, on some of the older devices, you may notice a bit of sluggish and slow performance right after installing the update. This is common with any iOS update you may install. It happens because your iPhone re-indexes the file system after installing an update which puts pressure on the processor and thus slow speed on some older iPhone models.

🔋 Battery Life on iOS 13.3.1

Battery life on iOS 13.3.1 is normal. And with the addition of “Networking & Wireless” toggle in Privacy » Location Services setting to disable location services for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Ultra Wideband, battery life only gets better with iOS 13.3.1 update.

However, know that you may experience a battery drain for up to 24 hours of installing the iOS 13.3.1 update on your iPhone. This is normal any iOS update as your iPhone re-indexes the file system after installing a system update.

The iOS 13.3.1 is a minor update over the previous iOS 13.3 release. It’s less than 300 MB in size. That gives it less room to mess with your iPhone, and based on our tests of the iOS 13.3.1 Beta 3 build we think it’s safe to install iOS 13.3.1 on your iPhone too.