EU orders Apple to release iPhone 12 software update over radiation concerns

Apple has been asked by the European Union to roll out a special software update for the iPhone 12 after regulators raised concerns about radiation levels. The request comes after a review by the European Commission, which looked into testing done in France. French regulators had earlier claimed that the iPhone 12 emitted higher-than-allowed levels of electromagnetic radiation in certain situations.

Apple has already prepared an update that adjusts how the iPhone 12 manages its antennas during testing conditions. According to the company, the phone was always safe to use and met international safety rules, but the software tweak was designed to remove any doubts. Apple had released this update in France last year, but now the EU wants it to be available across all member countries to ensure a consistent solution.

The European Commission explained that while the iPhone 12 was not seen as a health risk, it still needed to follow strict EU safety standards. This step is part of a wider process in which regulators are making sure devices on the market fully respect radiation exposure limits.

Apple stopped selling the iPhone 12 back in 2023 after launching newer models, but many people across Europe still use the device. With this order, users in EU countries will soon get the same fix that was earlier rolled out in France. Apple has said it is cooperating with regulators and that the update will not affect how the device works in daily use.

Radiation limits for smartphones are set to make sure users are protected during normal use, including when phones are held close to the body. The EU move highlights how seriously regulators are taking these rules and shows that even older models are not exempt from compliance checks.

For iPhone 12 owners, the update should install automatically once Apple makes it available in their country, ensuring the device continues to meet all safety requirements.