Apple stops adding new features to fix iPhone and MacOS software errors

SCMP said the notice was sent internally to employees last week, aiming to improve quality control processes after many bugs arose in early versions of the software. Instead of adding new features, Apple engineers were tasked with fixing vulnerabilities and improving the performance of existing software.

ab73077e 6c13 46fc bf54 3a0632887bfd 6868ff6b.jpeg — Apple engineers have been told to focus on fixing bugs in iPhone and Mac software updates next year.

Apple's software, known for its clean interface, easy-to-use controls, and focus on privacy, is one of its biggest strengths. In recent years, the iPhone giant has focused more on smooth software experiences, even if that means delaying new features.

In 2018, software engineering chief Craig Federighi halted the release of several iPhone features due to concerns about buggy software. In 2019, he overhauled Apple's software development process in an effort to prevent bugs from creeping in.

Accordingly, each new feature will be activated manually, through the “feature flag” process (allowing to change the way the application works without changing the code). Along with that is the “The Pact” process to quickly fix errors without having to go back to the original step.

But the company’s latest round of software development hasn’t gone smoothly. The software engineering team, reviewing new operating systems slated for release in 2024, found too many “escape bugs,” a term used to describe bugs that were missed during internal testing. As a result, all new feature development has been halted to focus on fixing those bugs.

SCMP sources said this was an inevitable problem, as Apple had to maintain the continuity of thousands of different programmers, working with many separate operating systems and devices.

The new iPhone and iPad operating systems, which will become iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, are internally called “Crystal.” The Mac software, macOS 15, is called “Glow.” Meanwhile, the next Apple Watch operating system, watchOS 11, is called “Moonstone.”

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