You Need to Update Your IPhone As Soon As Possible
There are many different versions of iOS available on the market today. You can install the iOS 18 beta , which brings future features like full Home screen customization and message scheduling. You can even try iOS 18.1 on your iPhone 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max and test out the Apple Intelligence features before they officially launch this fall. But if you’re not a fan of testing beta software on your iPhone, you should install Apple’s latest official update, iOS 17.6, as soon as possible. Without this, you may be putting yourself at risk.
Lots of iOS 17.6 security fixes
Apple released iOS 17.6 to all compatible iPhones on Monday, but news of iOS 18.1 meant it didn’t make much of a splash. It doesn’t help that Apple doesn’t include any new features in the 17.6 release notes: the update screen simply says, “This update contains important bug fixes and security updates and is recommended for all users.”
Apple isn’t lying: the update does contain important bug fixes and security fixes—30 of them, to be exact. While the company doesn’t publish these fixes in the release notes, it does provide a link to a site containing security notes for all updates where you click on the iOS 17.6 notes .
There are many patches collected here to fix errors affecting various parts of iOS. Luckily, Apple hasn’t reported that any of these bugs have been used in real life, meaning that, as far as Apple knows, attackers haven’t figured out how to use them against users—yet.
However, this doesn’t mean you should put off installing the update. Now that these vulnerabilities have become known, it is only a matter of time before attackers figure out how to exploit them. They can figure out how to use Siri to access sensitive data or use VoiceOver to view restricted content from the lock screen. They can learn how to view private browsing tabs in Safari or a hidden photo album without authentication.
But perhaps the most important to fix are the kernel vulnerabilities. The kernel is the core of a computer’s operating system, so security vulnerabilities affecting it are especially dangerous. In its security notes, Apple highlights two kernel patches: one that prevents attackers from detecting the kernel’s memory structure, and another that prevents a malware file from causing an “unexpected application termination.” As reported by Forbes , these flaws are so serious that the update was placed on the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency’s (CISA) watchlist. The organization encourages users and administrators to update as soon as possible.
Even if your iPhone doesn’t support iOS 17, chances are you have an update that fixes many of these shortcomings. Apple also released iOS 16.7.9 and iOS 15.8.3 for older iPhones. The first one fixes 20 bugs, and Apple hasn’t revealed exactly what fixes are in 15.8.3. In any case, you should also update to the version that your iPhone supports as soon as possible.
iOS 17.6 adds one new feature
Although Apple didn’t indicate it, the latest update includes a new feature: Catch Up. As 9to5Mac explains , Catch Up is a sports feature that is activated when you join a live game broadcast mid-game. It shows you a series of highlights from parts of the game you missed, so you can “catch up” as you set up.
For now, the feature is only part of Apple’s MLS Season Pass , but 9to5Mac believes it will expand to other sports beyond soccer.
How to Update to iOS 17.6 and Fix These Security Flaws
To update your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update . Give this page a moment to load and then look for iOS 17.6 or the latest update available. Follow the onscreen instructions to download and install the update.