iPhone users can now install iOS 17.2.1. And macOS Sonoma 14.2.1 is out as well. These are minor bug fix updates, though. The changes are so small Apple didn’t bother to describe them.
These are the only updates introduced Tuesday. There’s no iPadOS version, nor one for Apple Watch. And no new betas, either.
iOS 17.2.1 and only that
iOS and iPad started out as the same operating system but have slowly diverged over time. Still, when one of them gets an update the other does too. But not today. It’s just iOS.
And the new version merely steps on a few bugs. The official release notes for iOS 17.2.1 state, “This update provides important bug fixes and is recommended for all users.”
A check of the security content for the release says simply, “This update has no published CVE entries.” That’s geekspeak for “Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures.”
macOS Sonoma 14.2.1 fixes bugs, too
Apple introduced macOS Sonoma 14.2.1 on Tuesday as well. Its release notes should sound familiar, “This update provides important bug fixes and security updates and is recommended for all users.”
It has a single security fix related to screen sharing, according to Apple’s own notes.
The latest updates replace macOS Sonoma 14.2 or iOS 17.2, which were released just over a week ago on December 11. Each of those were more significant, bringing new features to iPhone and Mac.
How to install these patches
iPhone users can install iOS 17.2.1 directly by opening the Settings app and going to General > Software Update. Alternatively, you can update your devices by connecting them to a Mac (or to a PC running iTunes).
Anyone with a compatible Mac can download macOS 14.2.1 now. Go to Apple menu > About This Mac. Then click Software Update. Alternatively, you can install the new version from the App Store. (Note: At the time of this writing, Apple had not yet updated the version of macOS Sonoma in the App Store. But it should happen soon.)
