Apple updates iOS and other platforms

Apple releases iOS/iPadOS 17.1, macOS Sonoma 14.1, watchOS 10.1 and tvOS 17.1. HomePod software is also updated to 17.1. Previous iOS releases also got important security updates – 15.8 and 16.7.2.

No corresponding Xcode release is published.

iOS 17.1 brings various improvements including AirDrop over Internet, StandBy enhancements, Apple Music updates and various other updates and fixes.

watchOS 10.1 brings NameDrop feature and activates Double Tap on Series 9 and Ultra 2 models.

tvOS 17.1 and HomePod software 17.1 bring Enhance Dialogue feature to original HomePod and HomePod mini.

iOS 17.1

AirDrop

  • Content continues to transfer over the internet when you step out of AirDrop range

StandBy

  • New options to control when the display turns off (iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max)

Music

  • Favorites expanded to include songs, albums, and playlists, and you can filter to display your favorites in the library
  • New cover art collection offers designs that change colors to reflect the music in your playlist
  • Song suggestions appear at the bottom of every playlist, making it easy to add music that matches the vibe of your playlist

This update also includes the following improvements and bug fixes:

  • Option to choose a specific album to use with Photo Shuffle on the Lock Screen
  • Home key support for Matter locks
  • Improved reliability of Screen Time settings syncing across devices
  • Fixes an issue that may cause the Significant Location privacy setting to reset when transferring an Apple Watch or pairing it for the first time
  • Resolves an issue where the names of incoming callers may not appear when you are on another call
  • Addresses an issue where custom and purchased ringtones may not appear as options for your text tone
  • Fixes an issue that may cause the keyboard to be less responsive
  • Crash detection optimizations (all iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models)
  • Fixes an issue that may cause display image persistence

Some features may not be available for all regions or on all Apple devices. For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222

iPadOS 17.1

AirDrop

  • Content continues to transfer over the internet when you step out of AirDrop range

Music

  • Favorites expanded to include songs, albums, and playlists, and you can filter to display your favorites in the library
  • New cover art collection offers designs that change colors to reflect the music in your playlist
  • Song suggestions appear at the bottom of every playlist, making it easy to add music that matches the vibe of your playlist

Apple Pencil

  • Support for Apple Pencil (USB-C)

This update also includes the following improvements and bug fixes:

  • Option to choose a specific album to use with Photo Shuffle on the Lock Screen
  • Home key support for Matter locks
  • Improved reliability of Screen Time settings syncing across devices
  • Fixes an issue that may cause the keyboard to be less responsive

Some features may not be available for all regions or on all Apple devices. For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website:https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222

macOS Sonoma 14.1

This update provides enhancements, bug fixes, and security updates for your Mac including:

  • Favorites expanded in Music to include songs, albums, and playlists, and you can filter to display your favorites in the library
  • Apple warranty status for Mac, AirPods, and Beats headphones and earbuds are available in System Settings
  • Fixes an issue where the System Services settings within Location Services may reset
  • Fixes an issue that may prevent encrypted external drives from mounting

Some features may not be available for all regions, or on all Apple devices.

For detailed information about the security content of this update, please visit: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222

watchOS 10.1

watchOS 10.1 includes new features, improvements, and bug fixes, including:

  • Double tap gesture can be used to perform the primary action in notifications and most apps so you can answer a call, play and pause music, stop a timer, and more (Available on Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2)
  • NameDrop allows you to exchange contact information with someone new by simply bringing your Apple Watch near their iPhone with iOS 17 or Apple Watch (Available on Apple Watch SE 2, Apple Watch Series 7 and later, and Apple Watch Ultra)
  • My Card is available as a complication for quick access to NameDrop
  • Fix for bug that causes the climate section in the Home app to be blank
  • Addresses an issue that causes a white selection border to be unexpectedly displayed after turning off AssistiveTouch
  • Fixes an issue where cities may not sync between iPhone and watch in Weather
  • Resolves an issue where the scroll bar may unexpectedly be visible on the display
  • Fix for bug that causes elevation to be incorrect for some users

For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222

HomePod software 17.1

Software version 17.1 adds support for Enhance Dialogue on HomePod mini and HomePod (1st generation) so you can hear spoken voices more clearly over effects, action, and music in a movie or TV show when paired with Apple TV 4K. This update also includes bug fixes and stability improvements.

Apple Newsroom: Apple Watch double tap gesture now available with watchOS 10.1

References:

iOS 17.0.3 does not slow down iPhone, also fixes critical security issue, iOS 16.7.1 is released too

Early tests show that in order to mitigate overheating issue Apple did not throttle iPhone performance in iOS 17.0.3 update. 9To5Mac reports that Geekbench tests for iOS 17.0.3 are even slightly better than iOS 17.0.2.

On the other hand, support document highlights important kernel and WebRTC fixes in iOS 17.0.3.

Additional security updates were released for iOS/iPadOS – 16.7.1.

Apple Support: About the security content of iOS 17.0.3 and iPadOS 17.0.3

References:

Apple releases iOS and iPadOS 17.0.2 for all devices

Apple continues fixing iOS and iPadOS 17 by releasing next big fix update – 17.0.2. According to Apple this update should fix data transfer bug which could happen during the update from previous major release.

References:

Apple releases iOS 16.6 update and other OSes

After long testing Apple finally releases iOS/iPadOS 16.6, macOS 13.5 Ventura, watchOS 9.6 and tvOS 16.6. Also, iOS/iPadOS 15.7.8, macOS 12.6.8 Monterey and macOS 11.7.9 Big Sur are released to address security issues. HomePod software is updated 16.6 too.

These update fix security issues including those actively exploited.

Apple Support: About the security content of iOS 16.6 and iPadOS 16.6

References:

Apple re-releases Rapid Security Response for iOS 16.5.1 and macOS 13.4.1

After releasing and pulling back of critical security update for iOS and macOS, Apple finally releases the updated fix.

This time fix should be adjusted for Safari user agent string.

Fix is referenced as iOS 16.5.1 (c) and macOS Ventura 13.4.1 (c).

Reference: Apple Releases Revised iOS and macOS Security Updates to Fix Actively Exploited Vulnerability and Safari Bug