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Apple Releases iOS 14.8.1 and iPadOS 14.8.1 With Security Updates

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Apple today released iOS and iPadOS 14.8.1, minor updates to the iOS and iPadOS 14 operating systems. iOS and iPadOS 14.8.1 come more than a month after the release of iOS and iPadOS 14.8, another security fix update.

iOS 14 on iPhone feature emergency
The iOS and iPadOS 14.8.1 updates can be downloaded for free and the software is available on all eligible devices over-the-air in the Settings app. To access the new software, go to Settings > General > Software Update.

iOS and iPadOS 14.8.1 introduce multiple security updates and the software is recommended for all iPhone and iPad users who are continuing to run iOS 14. According to Apple's security support document, the update addresses a number of vulnerabilities with Sidecar, WebKit, Voice Control, the Status Bar, and more.

Most of these vulnerabilities do not appear to have been used in the wild, and Apple says that just an IOMobileFrameBuffer may have been actively exploited. This issue could allow an application to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.

Apple made upgrading to iOS 15 optional, and has allowed people to remain on iOS 14 if they so desire. Apple is continuing to release iOS 14 updates as a result, but these updates will be focused on security fixes and will not be introducing new features. New features will be limited to updates to iOS 15, the newest version of iOS.

Related Forum: iOS 14

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Top Rated Comments

jonnysods Avatar
jonnysods
64 months ago
Much appreciated! 14 is where I’ll sit from for a while until I see where CSAM goes.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kwokaaron Avatar
kwokaaron
64 months ago
Woohoo! An update for those of us that are "less adventurous" 😂
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bradl Avatar
bradl
64 months ago

Except it didn't, of course.

https://www.apple.com/child-safety/
https://9to5mac.com/2021/09/03/apple-delays-csam-detection-feature/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/09/03/apple-delay-csam-scanning/
However, the functionality is still there. That is the concern.

BL.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
A
alexiaa
64 months ago
It's worth noting that this update is only available to people who are on iOS 14.5-14.8. There is no IPSW so you cannot downgrade to it via iTunes/Finder if you're already on iOS 15.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
N
NewUsername
64 months ago
No more updates for iOS 12?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
V
verdi1987
64 months ago

Could someone please remind me why Apple made available the option to upgrade to iOS/iPadOS 15 or continue to upgrade 14? (I’m happy they did, but I don’t remember their doing it before.)

Thnx.
They never gave an explanation, but two things come to mind: CSAM and the (now mostly-reverted) UI changes in Safari.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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