Apple ceases iOS 12 code signing following release of iOS 12.0.1

AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in iOS edited October 2018
Apple on Monday stopped signing code for iOS 12 after the release of iOS 12.0.1, meaning users running the latest sub-point update can no longer downgrade to the previous operating system version.

Schiller iOS 12


The policy change arrives two weeks after Apple released iOS 12.0.1 with a number of bug fixes.

With the change, Apple is restricting access to iOS 12.0.1 and above from its servers.

The latest update was issued in part to address Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity issues introduced with iOS 12 in September. Owners of iPhone XS and XS Max hardware complained of data communications problems shortly after receiving their new devices, including a behavior that would connect handsets to a known Wi-Fi network at 2.4GHz instead of 5GHz.

Apple's iOS 12.0.1 also fixed an issue where some iPhone and iPad units would not charge when connected to a Lightning cable. While Apple notes the problem was limited to iPhone XS, users of other iPhone and iPad models complained of similar complications after upgrading to iOS 12 last month.

Apple regularly ceases code signing to prevent users from installing old iOS versions following the release of a new OS. Doing so helps keep users safe from new threats and ensures devices are running the most up-to-date software.

Today's code signing stoppage comes hours after Apple pushed out fifth beta versions of iOS 12.1 to developers and public testers for evaluation ahead of an expected launch in the coming weeks. When it sees release, the update will deliver support for Group FaceTime and more than 70 new emoji characters.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 5
    elijahgelijahg Posts: 2,759member
    Do we really need a story each time this happens? It's expected that Apple will stop signing the previous release a couple of weeks after an update.
  • Reply 2 of 5
    coolfactorcoolfactor Posts: 2,241member
    The headline should really read "iOS 12.0.0", not just "iOS 12" as that is the entire major release. Apple is still signing iOS 12, just not the initial .0.0 release.
    mobird
  • Reply 3 of 5
    anton zuykovanton zuykov Posts: 1,056member
    coolfactor said:
    The headline should really read "iOS 12.0.0", not just "iOS 12" as that is the entire major release. Apple is still signing iOS 12, just not the initial .0.0 release.
    which is quite interesting in itself, as 12.0.0 and 12.0.1 should not be different that much. I wonder if Apple has fixed some serious bug(s) pertaining to signing/security, so they deprecated 12.0.0 signing so rapidly.
  • Reply 4 of 5
    ivanhivanh Posts: 597member
    Apple should recall and return the money to all buyers of all iOS devices not using iOS 12.0.1 if the reasons are because of data security and safety of personal information, and etc. Older devices are either being used at risk (Apple is not updating them with security patches) or are forced to be obsolete while hardware are still working in perfection!
  • Reply 5 of 5
    elijahgelijahg Posts: 2,759member
    ivanh said:
    Apple should recall and return the money to all buyers of all iOS devices not using iOS 12.0.1 if the reasons are because of data security and safety of personal information, and etc. Older devices are either being used at risk (Apple is not updating them with security patches) or are forced to be obsolete while hardware are still working in perfection!
    Apple supports devices for way longer than any other manufacturer, the 5s will still be supported when it's 6 years old. How long do you think they should support devices? Should they be pushing out security updates for Mac OS 9?
Sign In or Register to comment.