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Better promptly than too late: Apple devices ask for an update
Photo: Matthias Kremp / DER SPIEGEL
The distance is unusually short.
Just two weeks after Apple released version 15.4 of its iPhone operating system iOS, the first update follows.
Version 15.4.1 has been available for free download since Thursday evening - and it's not alone.
At the same time, the group has provided software updates for all important product lines.
In addition to iPhones, iPads, Mac computers, Apple Watches, Apple TVs and HomePods will also be supplied with new software.
The updates are intended to fix problems with the devices and improve their security.
The latter in particular should motivate you to import the updates quickly.
In a security advisory, Apple warns of a vulnerability in iOS 15.4 and iPadOS 15.4 that may already be actively being exploited by criminals.
It is said that manipulated apps could inject malware into the system and thus gain extended rights to take control of the attacked device.
A similar vulnerability also affects Macs running macOS Monterey 12.3.
In addition, the updates fix a few errors that annoyed some users after switching to the current software versions.
In the past few weeks, there have been increasing reports that the batteries of iPhones and iPads with iOS or iPadOS 15.4 are running out faster than with the previous versions of the operating systems.
This problem should be fixed with the updates to version 15.4.1.
In addition, two bugs that could cause problems with Braille devices and hearing aids with "Made for iPhone" certification have been corrected.
That changes with macOS
Aside from closing security holes, the update to macOS Monterey 12.3.1 fixes three bugs, some of which are bizarre.
For example, Bluetooth devices could lose the connection to Macs with macOS 12.3 after listening to music through Beats headphones.
Mac minis built in 2018 had problems using a second display via USB-C or Thunderbolt and some MacBooks from 2021 could not be updated to macOS 13.2.
more on the subject
Safari Vulnerability: Why You Should Update Your iPhone and Mac NowBy Patrick Beuth
For the new update to watchOS 8.5.1, Apple only vaguely states that it contains “security updates and bug fixes for the Apple Watch”.
The information about version 15.4.1 of tvOS, which was released for the Apple TV boxes, is just as tight-lipped.
According to this, the system should now work more stably if you reinstall or restore the software on such a box.
On the occasion of the new software version 15.4.1 for HomePods, Apple writes "that HomeKit-enabled devices may not have responded if they were controlled via Siri".
How to install the updates
It is generally recommended to activate the
Automatic updates
setting on Apple devices in the
settings
under
General/Software
update so that new software versions can be installed without manual intervention.
In the event of an acute threat, as in the present case, you should start the update process manually by selecting
Settings
/
General / Software
update and tapping on
Download and install
as soon as the update is displayed.
For HomePods, you can start the installation in the Home app in the settings of the respective HomePod.
Users participating in an Apple public beta program or using beta versions of Apple operating systems as registered developers must first remove their profiles for access to beta versions under Settings/General/VPN and device management and restart.
The current updates are only displayed after this procedure.
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