iOS 13.3.1 is out with crucial fixes for Screen Time

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Screentime
Screen Time has become an important tool for parents.
Photo: Apple

Apple just dumped a truckload of new software updates on customers this morning, including the crucial iOS 13.3.1 update that brings an important fix to Screen Time.

Along with iOS 13.3.1, Apple also released macOS 10.15.3, tvOS 13.3.1, and watchOS 6.1.2. All four of the new updates are fairly minor and mostly focus on under-the-hood improvements.

iOS 13.3.1 and its iPadOS equivalent can be downloaded via an over-the-air update from the Settings app. Shortly after Apple introduced Communication Limits in iOS 13.3 last year kids found a workaround that let them bypass limitations. It wasn’t the first time a gaping hole was found in Screen Time’s tools though.

Today’s iOS update also addresses an issue with the U1 Ultra Wideband chip that shared users’ locations when it wasn’t supposed to.

Here are the full release notes for iOS 13.3.1:

  • Fixes an issue in Communication Limits that could allow a contact to be added without entering the Screen Time passcode
  • Adds a setting to control the use of location services by the U1 Ultra Wideband chip
  • 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
  • Introduces support for Indian English Siri voices for HomePod

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