Apple iOS 16.5.1 has been released for iPhones, along with iPadOS 16.5.1, macOS 13.4.1, and watchOS 9.5.2, and all contain critical security updates. Here’s everything you need to know.
Tip: bookmark this page because I will keep it updated if/when new problems are found. I will deliver my final verdict in a week.
Who Is It For?
Apple iOS 16.5.1 is available for all iOS 16-compatible devices, which means the iPhone 8, iPhone X, and newer. iOS 15.7.6 is the most recent update to protect older devices, but Apple may yet offer iOS 15.7.7 to address the serious vulnerabilities patched by iOS 16.5.1 (more below).
If you don’t receive an update notification, you can trigger iOS 16.5.1 manually by navigating to Settings > General > Software Update. If you are running newer beta software (see ‘The Road Ahead’ section at the end), you must unenroll your device before the update will appear.
Note: this guide is not focused on older iOS updates, iPadOS or macOS, but I will touch upon pertinent issues in these guides.
The Deal Breakers
iOS 16.5.1 is a relatively minor yet important (see the Security section below) update and, as expected, it has had a largely bug-free start to life.
The only notable issues I have found are an isolated report that the update impacts audio quality for third-party lightning to 3.5mm dongles, and it muddles app library categories. If true, both are inconvenient but hardly show-stoppers. iOS 16 had a somewhat rocky start to life, but as is often the case, it has matured well in later releases.
So What Do You Get?
Apple’s iOS 16.5.1 release notes are short and sweet:
This update provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users. It also fixes an issue that prevents charging with the Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter.
I’ll dig into security in the next section, but the fix was widely expected with iOS 16.5 breaking Apple’s USB 3 Camera Adapter for iPhones and iPads. The adapter has USB-A and Lightning ports, and neither port worked following the iOS 16.5 update. This is a niche bug but a critical one for affected users.
Aside from this, new features are rare in ‘minor point’ iOS updates, and even more so now Apple’s focus has shifted to iOS 17. Public betas of iOS 17 are already available ahead of its anticipated release in September.
iOS 16.5.1 Security
The real reason to update to iOS 16.5.1 is security because it contains fixes for two zero-day security vulnerabilities — flaws that Apple acknowledges hackers may have been able to exploit before it was able to release a fix.
The vulnerabilities are recorded as CVE-2023-32434 and CVE-2023-32439, and they affect the Kernel, the core of the operating system, and WebKit, the engine behind Safari, respectively. In both instances, hackers may be able to execute malicious code, and this affects iPhones, iPads, Macs and Apple Watches, hence the broad release of platform updates.
If fact, the real surprise here is Apple didn’t issue a dedicated Rapid Security Response for iPhones. This new security update system allows the company to respond faster to immediate threats like Zero Day vulnerabilities, with less disruption than a full iOS release. Perhaps the inclusion of the camera adapter fix is why Apple bundled it into full iOS and iPadOS updates.
Apple iOS 16.5.1 Verdict: Update
Security updates and bug fixes are not the most exciting reason to update your iPhone, but they are two of the most important, and Zero-Day hacks are as dangerous as they come. Always put the security of your device front and center.
For cautious iPhone and iPad owners who prefer to wait (but I strongly recommend you don’t), I will deliver my final verdict in a week. So bookmark this page.
The Road Ahead
WWC takes place on June 5, and Apple has already released the first developer and public betas. It will contain upgrades for Messages, Phone and FaceTime, a vastly improved autocorrect system (long overdue), drop the ‘Hey Siri’ command for ‘Siri,’ add interactive widgets, mood tracking and journaling, support for shared AirTags, and more.
As for iOS 16.6, it has entered its third public beta, and I would not bet against further ‘minor point’ security updates as well, so there’s still life in this generation. That said, with iOS 17 not coming to the iPhone X and iPhone 8 models, it will be the end of the line for this generation, and while security updates will continue, owners may want to consider upgrading this year.
If you want to beta test major iOS updates ahead of their public release, you can sign up for the Apple Beta Software Program here.
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