Apple rolls out security update for iOS 18.3.1, iPadOS 18.3.1, macOS Sequoia 15.3.1

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AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in iOS edited February 10

Apple has released updates with security fixes for its operating systems, bringing them up to iOS 18.3.1, iPadOS 18.3.1, watchOS 11.3.1, macOS Sequoia 15.3.1, and visionOS 2.3.1.

Various Apple devices displaying different apps: a MacBook with a document, an iPad showing creative tools, and an iPhone with notifications, all on a white background.
Updates for macOS, iPadOS, and iOS



While the main attention is on the major updates to Apple's operating systems, it also introduces minor point releases from time to time. On Monday, Apple did just that.

As a point release, there is relatively little expectation of major feature changes, but they tend to include performance improvements. Indeed, the notes for the iOS 18.3.1 update says it includes "important bug fixes and security updates," which Apple claims is "recommended for all users."



The security notes for the release says there is a fix for an issue that "may have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals."

Point releases are also commonly used by Apple to add support for unreleased hardware. Current rumors say that an iPhone SE update is expected to arrive soon.

The updates for iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS Sequoia, and visionOS arrive at a time when Apple is anticipated to bring out a new wave of developer betas. This would include iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS 15.4, among others.

The build number for iOS 18.3.1 and iPadOS 18.3.1 is 22D72. The macOS Sequoia 15.3.1 release build number is 24D70, the visionOS 2.3.1 update is build 22N900, and watchOS 11.3.1 is build 22S560.

Alongside the updates for the newer operating systems, Apple has also released an update for the previous generation of iPadOS. The update for iPadOS 17.7.5 is build 21H420.

iPhone and iPad owners can manually update their devices by opening the Settings app and selecting General, followed by Software Update. If the update is available, tap Update Now.



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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 8
    DAalsethdaalseth Posts: 3,258member
    Updated my iPad and found that, in an incredibly bad move for security, on restart it tries to activate Apple Intelligence EVEN IF YOU HAVE IT DISABLED. I don’t knoiw of a better way to dissuade a chunk of your users from applying a critical security patch than this. 
    rob53
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 2 of 8
    appleinsideruserappleinsideruser Posts: 729member
    DAalseth said:
    Updated my iPad and found that, in an incredibly bad move for security, on restart it tries to activate Apple Intelligence EVEN IF YOU HAVE IT DISABLED. I don’t knoiw of a better way to dissuade a chunk of your users from applying a critical security patch than this. 
    I think AI reported a while ago that, cough, AI would be opt-out in a future update. Was it the storage usage that concerned you?
    watto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 3 of 8
    ApplePoorapplepoor Posts: 365member
    Updated to the *.1 v versions of the various operating systems and my M1 Ultra, M4 Max Laptop, M4 Pro Mini, iPhone 16 Pro Max, M4 iPad, iPad mini v7 Ultra 2 watch and none turned Apple Intelligence back on from the process.
    edited February 10
    watto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 4 of 8
    Rogue01rogue01 Posts: 242member
    ApplePoor said:
    Updated to the *.1 v versions of the various operating systems and my M1 Ultra, M4 Max Laptop, M4 Pro Mini, iPhone 16 Pro Max, M4 iPad, iPad mini v7 Ultra 2 watch and none turned Apple Intelligence back on from the process.
    That is because the .3 update of 18.3 and 15.3 turns on Apple Intelligence by default, so you have to turn it back off after updating.
    watto_cobra
     0Likes 0Dislikes 1Informative
  • Reply 5 of 8
    Rogue01rogue01 Posts: 242member

    DAalseth said:
    Updated my iPad and found that, in an incredibly bad move for security, on restart it tries to activate Apple Intelligence EVEN IF YOU HAVE IT DISABLED. I don’t knoiw of a better way to dissuade a chunk of your users from applying a critical security patch than this. 
    This is not news.  The .3 updates changes the 'opt-in' to now 'on' by default.  So go into settings and turn it off.  Apple loves to default things on without your knowledge, such as iCloud Drive, iCloud Photos, etc. when you install macOS, and you have to turn those features back off if you don't want them.
    muthuk_vanalingamwatto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 1Informative
  • Reply 6 of 8
    Rogue01rogue01 Posts: 242member
    Does TikTok remain installed and functional after updating to 18.3.x and iPadOS 18.3.x?
    watto_cobra
     0Likes 0Dislikes 1Informative
  • Reply 7 of 8
    iOSDevSWEiosdevswe Posts: 29member
    Please Apple Insider, try to use the correct vocabulary: it’s not a “point” release but a ”patch“ release. Apple, like most of the software developers, use the SemVer standard (semantic versioning) where a version number is called MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH. That way you understand clearly what this release is for: to patch something that has been wrong, either a minor bug that is fixed or a security hole that is filled.
    Link: https://semver.org/
    appleinsideruserwatto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 1Informative
  • Reply 8 of 8
    Wesley Hilliardwesley hilliard Posts: 442member, administrator, moderator, editor
    iOSDevSWE said:
    Please Apple Insider, try to use the correct vocabulary: it’s not a “point” release but a ”patch“ release. Apple, like most of the software developers, use the SemVer standard (semantic versioning) where a version number is called MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH. That way you understand clearly what this release is for: to patch something that has been wrong, either a minor bug that is fixed or a security hole that is filled.
    Link: https://semver.org/
    The version number went up a point. It's a point update. You're not wrong, but people understand what we mean when we say point update. Semantics aren't always helpful.
    appleinsideruserwatto_cobramuthuk_vanalingam
     3Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
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