Apple Suddenly Releases Unexpected Update For All iPhones

 

Apple’s software updates for 2023 are not finished yet, despite what you might have thought. 

The expectation was that iOS 17.2 would be followed by iOS 17.3 in January—the first beta versions are already out—but Apple just released a minor but urgent update with bug fixes in the form of iOS 17.2.1 for the latest phones and iOS 16.7.4 for earlier handsets. 

Here’s all you need to know. Which iPhones Can Run iOS 17.2.1 and iOS 16.7.4? For iOS 17.2.1, this is the same compatibility list as all the phones that have taken to iOS 17 since its release in September. 

In other words, iPhone Xs, iPhone Xs Max and iPhone XR from 2018, then all versions of iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 variants. It also includes iPhone SE second- and third-generation models. 

For iOS 16.7.4, the compatibility shifts to earlier handsets or users who could access iOS 17 haven’t updated to it. This means all iPhones right back to the first Face ID iPhone, that is, iPhone X, plus two more Touch ID iPhones, iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus.

How To Get It 

Whichever release you need, you likely know the routine by now, but just in case: go to the iPhone’s Settings app, choose General, then Software Update. Here, you’ll see sections on Automatic Updates, and Beta Updates. Whether you have automatic updates on or off, you can choose to download the new software now. Pick Download and Install, and your iPhone will be good to go in short order—this is a small update sized at under 300MB for iOS 17.1.2, for example.

What’s In The Release 

Where iOS 17.2 had lots of new features, all of which you can read about here, this new update is all about security. Apple is typically tight-lipped in its release notes, merely saying, “This update provides important bug fixes and is recommended for all users.” 

For iOS 16.7.4, however, there’s a different note, as MacRumors notes: “This update fixes an issue where built-in Apple apps that may have been deleted may not reinstall.” 

This is not a widespread issue, but it’s certainly irritating if you experience it, and it would likely be more commonplace but for the fact that so many people have updated to iOS 17.