iOS 16.7.1 launched on Tuesday to deal with a serious security problem in the older version of Apple’s iPhone operating system. It’s for iPhone users who haven’t yet made the jump to iOS 17.
There’s also an iPadOS version for tablets.
Don’t blow off this security patch
iOS 17 debuted in September for every iPhone made in the past five years, but data from an analytics firm shows that a significant number of iPhones still run some version of iOS 16. The just-released security patch is for devices in this group if their owners remain unwilling to upgrade to iOS 17.
iOS 16.7.1 is a patch because it includes no new features aside from closing a security hole. This is to the operating system’s kernel and a warning from the company says, “Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited against versions of iOS before iOS 16.6.”
A second, less critical, security problem is also dealt with.
iPadOS 16.7.1 includes the same security fixes.
This is the latest in a string of security patches for iOS 16 coming out of Apple recently. That includes iOS 16.7, iOS 16.6.1, iOS 16.6 and iOS 16.5.1.
How to install iOS 16.7.1 and iPadOS 16.7.1
iPhone or iPad users can install iOS 16.7.1 or iPadOS 16.7.1 via an over-the-air update by opening the Settings app and going to General -> Software Update. Alternatively, connect the device to a Mac, or to a PC running iTunes, to install the new version.
