iOS 15.7, macOS 12.6 now available for older devices

AppleInsider

Apple has released a complete set of updates spanning iOS, iPadOS, and macOS to ensure users can stay up to date without upgrading to iOS 16 or buying newer supported products.

Apple has released new updates for older operating systems

Amidst all the buzz around iOS 16 being released on Monday, Apple also released key operating system updates for its 2021 versions. These updates serve a dual purpose -- provide patches to devices that can't update to the new operating systems and give users a needed update without requiring them to move to a new OS.

Apple released iOS 15.7, iPadOS 15.7, macOS Big Sur 11.7 , and macOS Monterey 12.6. No specific release notes were provided, but since they were released alongside iOS 16, watchOS 9, and tvOS 16, it seems likely that these updates are meant to keep older devices up-to-date.

While a new operating system version can be exciting for many, some users dread the transition to a new OS since it can break compatibility with critical tools used for their profession or hobby. Some wait months or more before updating to ensure the apps they use go through numerous updates and optimize compatibility without data loss.

Those users who wait on updates and those who are unable to update still need critical security patches and bug fixes. So, Apple provides interim updates to older systems on a regular basis. Update cycles for older operating systems tend to span months, but updates keep arriving for years after newer products have moved on.

Find out what hardware is needed to run the new operating systems via our update guide.

Updates can be performed via the Settings app. Navigate to General, then tap on Software Update to select the new operating system version to install. An option for the new and old operating system updates should be visible as applicable.

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sonypc100

I have an iPhone 12 surely I get 16 but 10 mins ago I was only offered 15.7 via updates 

jfc_pa

sonypc100 said:

I have an iPhone 12 surely I get 16 but 10 mins ago I was only offered 15.7 via updates 

iOS 16 is listed as “Also available” on my screen towards the bottom. 

billmerchant

My iPhone 13 Pro Max only offered iOS 15.7, no offer of iOS 16. 

sonypc100

JFC_PA said:

sonypc100 said:

I have an iPhone 12 surely I get 16 but 10 mins ago I was only offered 15.7 via updates 

iOS 16 is listed as “Also available” on my screen towards the bottom. 

I’ve updated to 15.7 and gone back to updates and 16 is there now 

dewme

My iPads were feeling a bit left behind when they found out their yearly OS upgrades have been postponed until October. This little incremental update will keep them happy for a few more weeks.

Seriously though, I'll take any and all security updates that Apple makes available. These updates do list "security" in the quick note. However, the fact that Apple released these on the same date and time that they knew their servers would be heavily pounded by iOS 16 upgraders makes me think there may be some backward compatibility issues they didn't want to delay getting fixes out into the field.

As far as the iOS 16 online update performance goes, at least on my now-old Xs Max, getting the download image was definitely on the slow side because I hit the server about 10 minutes after Apple made it available, which fit with my expectations. The slowness appears to be on the server side and my phone. While I was waiting for iOS 16 to download and churn through the "preparing" phase I successfully updated two iPads, two Apple TVs. and got pretty far along on updating one Big Sur Mac and one Monterey Mac.  

My iPhone just finished the iOS 16 upgrade while sitting in a wireless charging dock. All told, it took nearly two hours. It's feeling a little toasty. I'll let it rest and cool down before I dive into trying out the new features.

edited September 2022

bonobob

dewme said:

However, the fact that Apple released these on the same date and time that they knew their servers would be heavily pounded by iOS 16 upgraders makes me think there may be some backward compatibility issues they didn't want to delay getting fixes out into the field. 

I think it's more likely that they do them all at once because the all have mostly the same security fixes.  This prevents anyone from getting zero-dayed so long as they are timely with their updates.  

As for myself, I took the 15.7 update for my X, rather than 16.0.  After 16.0 gets shaken out for a few days, I can decide whether to go ahead with that.

mpantone

dewme said:
Seriously though, I'll take any and all security updates that Apple makes available. These updates do list "security" in the quick note. However, the fact that Apple released these on the same date and time that they knew their servers would be heavily pounded by iOS 16 upgraders makes me think there may be some backward compatibility issues they didn't want to delay getting fixes out into the field. 

I have a different interpretation. I’m thinking Apple is patching a zero day vulnerability with iOS 15.7. I have no proof of this, just a hunch.

Either way 15.7.x is the operating system version that will be on my two iPhones and one iPad for the next seven months. I’ll upgrade to iOS/iPadOS 16.x in April next year.

edited September 2022

killroy

Here's what's in the Mac update and others.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213444

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201222

edited September 2022

mpantone

My suspicion was correct.

iOS 15.7 and macOS 12.6 patched zero day vulnerabilities, respectively CVE-2022-32917 and CVE-2022-32894. Here's an article from BleepingComputer.com on the matter:

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/apple-fixes-eighth-zero-day-used-to-hack-iphones-and-macs-this-year/

While my iPad mini received iPadOS 15.7, sadly my two iPhones were not offered 15.7 and I refuse to upgrade to iOS 16 right now.

Apple needs to be more proactive and make these critical security patches available to those who do not wish to upgrade their devices to the latest operating system immediately.

edited September 2022

jcs2305

mpantone said:

My suspicion was correct.

iOS 15.7 and macOS 12.6 patched zero day vulnerabilities, respectively CVE-2022-32917 and CVE-2022-32894. Here's an article from BleepingComputer.com on the matter:

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/apple-fixes-eighth-zero-day-used-to-hack-iphones-and-macs-this-year/

While my iPad mini received iPadOS 15.7, sadly my two iPhones were not offered 15.7 and I refuse to upgrade to iOS 16 right now.

Apple needs to be more proactive and make these critical security patches available to those who do not wish to upgrade their devices to the latest operating system immediately.

My 13 Pro Max shows 15.7 ready to install and an Upgrade to IOS 16 at the bottom of the same page under "Also Available".. If I tap also available it goes to download and install IOS 16 with no further mention of 15.7. So they have done what you mention... 15.7 available if you don't want to upgrade and 16 if you're ready.

davidw

mpantone said:

My suspicion was correct.

iOS 15.7 and macOS 12.6 patched zero day vulnerabilities, respectively CVE-2022-32917 and CVE-2022-32894. Here's an article from BleepingComputer.com on the matter:

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/apple-fixes-eighth-zero-day-used-to-hack-iphones-and-macs-this-year/

While my iPad mini received iPadOS 15.7, sadly my two iPhones were not offered 15.7 and I refuse to upgrade to iOS 16 right now.

Apple needs to be more proactive and make these critical security patches available to those who do not wish to upgrade their devices to the latest operating system immediately.

iOS 15.7 is the security update for iPhones that can no longer upgrade to iOS 16. Mainly the iPhone 6s, 7 and SE (1st). If your iPhone can run iOS 16, then your security update for iOS15.6 (or older) is to upgrade to IOS 16. The only reason why Apple is making iOS 15.7 available for iPhones that can run iOS 16, is in case for some reason, iOS 16 causes unforeseen problems. This way you can revert back, until Apple or the developer fixes the problem. Apple does this for every upgrade, but usually only for a few weeks or until the problem is solved. Soon, iPhones that can run iOS 16  (iPhone 8 or newer) will not be able to able to choose to run iOS 15.7 or any future iOS15..x.x updates, when updating. Only the iPhone 6s, 7 and SE (1st) will have that option because they cant' run iOS 16. The support for iOS 15 on these iPhones will go on for years. Without the support, these iPhones will no longer be able to install an iOS that it can run. Like Apple still supporting iOS 12 with the security update iOS 12.6, for the iPhone 5s and 6.

 However, because Apple will still be signing iOS 15.7 (or any future updates to iOS 15) for years, there's a way to get the latest iOS 15 back onto any iPhone that can run iOS 16. You just need a Mac, iTunes, connecting cable and the IPSW file for the latest iOS 15 that Apple is still signing. Under recovery mode on the iPhone, you can elect to install iOS 15.x.x (providing Apple is still signing that version) using the IPSW file on the Mac. The only drawback is that this puts the iPhone back to factory and you must be sure to make a backup with iTunes, so you can restore your data.  

edited September 2022