ios safari 16.6

iOS 16.6 is on the way – here are 5 new features to look out for ahead of iOS 17

Updates are coming to iMessage, Apple News and more

Apple ’s next major software update, iOS 17 , is expected to roll out this September – here’s how to download the iOS 17 beta – but not before the company’s latest (and possibly final) iterative iOS 16 update, iOS 16.6, is released to the masses.

Reports suggest that multiple beta versions of iOS 16.6 are now in the hands of developers, meaning a public-ready version of the update should soon become available to anyone who owns an iPhone 8 or newer.

Where iOS 16.5 brought with it a host of bug fixes for issues related to the iPhone lock screen and Safari app , iOS 16.6 is rumored to introduce a handful of helpful (albeit mostly aesthetic) updates to apps including iMessage, Apple News and Apple Card. Below, we’ve rounded up the most significant of the lot.

Side note: To download the latest version of iOS on your iPhone, simply head to Settings > General > Software Update. Alternatively, check out our guide on how to update your iPhone to iOS 16 .

Improved Apple News sports sharing

If you’re a keen sports fan who often shares game results with friends and family, iOS 16.6 will make doing so easier. In the updated Apple News app, tapping the ellipsis next to a sports score or scheduled game will bring up a new option to "Share Game." In its current form, Apple News makes you navigate to the game page itself if you want to share result, timing or lineup details with others. A small but welcome change.

A new iCloud for Windows security prompt

This one’s a little more boring, but if you use iCloud for Windows, you may notice a slight change when logging into your account with iOS 16.6. Specifically, your iPhone will show a new prompt – complete with a verification code – if both devices aren't connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Exciting, right?

New warnings for Matter accessories 

The Matter smart home standard has become all the rage among smart device enthusiasts in 2023, and iOS 16.6 will warn you if an app attempts to pair with one of your smart home accessories in an unsecure way. You’ll be able to manage unauthorized app access by heading to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management. Neat!

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New Apple Card alerts and prompts 

For anyone in the US who’s signed up to Apple Card, iOS 16.6 will introduce more alerts and prompts related to interest payments and transaction disputes. Specifically, these new prompts will include “Did you make this purchase?”, “Dispute status”, “Dispute Completed”, three variants of “Interest Charged” and “Virtual Card Number Replaced." Sure, that all sounds pretty boring, but these changes should bring greater visibility over your finances.

iMessage Contact Key verification 

This last feature is a little up in the air, since it appeared in the first iOS 16.6 developer beta, but in not the second. In any case, there’s a good chance that iMessage Contact Key verification still makes it into the final build of iOS 16.6.

Announced by Apple in December 2022, this security feature will give “users who face extraordinary digital threats – such as journalists, human rights activists, and members of government – [the option] to further verify that they are messaging only with the people they intend.” In other words, iMessage is getting an extra layer of security beyond end-to-end encryption – either as part of iOS 16.6 or future Apple updates.

Axel is TechRadar's UK-based Phones Editor, reporting on everything from the latest Apple developments to newest AI breakthroughs as part of the site's Mobile Computing vertical. Having previously written for publications including Esquire and FourFourTwo, Axel is well-versed in the applications of technology beyond the desktop, and his coverage extends from general reporting and analysis to in-depth interviews and opinion.  Axel studied for a degree in English Literature at the University of Warwick before joining TechRadar in 2020, where he then earned an NCTJ qualification as part of the company’s inaugural digital training scheme.

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iOS 16 Safari — the biggest changes coming to your iPhone’s browser

Shared Tab Groups and passkeys are the biggest changes in the new iPhone software update

iOS 16 Safari isn't quite the radical reboot of the mobile web browser that iOS 15 introduced. For starters, the tab bar is staying in the same place, at the bottom of the screen by default. (This assumes that you didn't move the tab bar back to the top of the screen the minute you upgraded to iOS 15.) But there are still some changes in Apple's updated iPhone software — one that will be apparent right away and another that will take time to develop.

The change you can use the moment you install iOS 16 — whether you download the developer beta , plan to wait for the iOS 16 public beta's arrival in July or won't check out iOS 16 until the full version arrives in the fall — is Shared Tab Groups. This feature builds on a less controversial addition from iOS 15 Safari , by letting you take all those web pages you've grouped together and share them with other people.

In addition, Apple is also using iOS 16 to introduce us to passkeys , its attempt to usher in a password-free future for web browsing. Instead of having to remember and enter in a password for each online site, the updated version of Safari issues you a digital key tied to your your user account and verified with biometric information like Face ID on your iPhone. The change isn't going to happen overnight, but Apple is betting that it leads to more secure browsing that what we experience now.

These changes to iOS 16's version of Safari aren't taking place in a vacuum. They're being implemented alongside similar updates from macOS Ventura and iPadOS 16 , both of which figure to arrive alongside the finished version of Apple's iPhone software this fall. Here's what we know about the iPhone implementation of these updates based on Apple's iOS 16 preview and what people who've used the developer beta have been saying about Safari.

iOS 16 Safari: Shared Tab Groups

As we mentioned, Tab Groups came to Safari with last year's iOS 15 update, and while I felt the feature was better suited for the Mac, it was still helpful for research projects to keep related web pages grouped together. At the very least, Safari Tab Groups brought some measure of organization to the iPhone's default web browser.

With iOS 16, Tab Groups are picking up collaboration features, too. Shared Tab Groups is the big addition to Safari that does exactly what its name implies — you can take those Tab Groups you've assembled and share them with other people. They can add browser tabs of their own, contributing to your research project.

The benefits of Shared Tab Groups should be apparent. If you're planning a vacation, you and your partner can exchange tabs featuring possible lodgings, to-dos and travel info. You can share research with fellow students on a school project or relevant web pages for a work project you're collaborating on with colleagues. As with Tab Groups, the shared version syncs across the different Apple devices you own (assuming they're all running the latest software updates that Apple's releasing this year).

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Sharing Tab Groups is as easy a tapping the share button next to the name of the Tab Group and selecting who you want to share with. The feature promises real-time collaboration — you'll see the icons of the people in your share group on the tabs they're looking at, and you'll be able to see any changes made as they happen. You can share Tab Groups through Messenger, as part of the chat app's newfound collaboration capabilities in iOS 16.

Other Tab Groups improvements in iOS 16 Safari

Shared Tab Groups grabs the headlines, but it's not the only enhancement Apple is introducing to this particular feature. You can now distinguish your different Tab Groups with their own customized start page. That includes a different background image for each group as well as group-specific favorites. In addition, iOS 16 Safari supports pinned tabs for your different Tab Groups.

iOS 16 Safari passkeys

Back in May, Apple joined Google and Microsoft to announce expanded support for the FIDO passwordless sign-in standard . iOS 16 Safari yields the first fruits of that stepped-up support in the form of passkeys, which are meant to do away with passwords when you sign into websites and apps.

The problem with passwords — besides the fact that not everyone uses the best password practices — is that they can be obtained via phishing and other social engineering attacks if you're not vigilant. And even if you are and use one of the best password managers , someone could still hack into the website of a database or company and steal your login credentials that way. Passkeys answer that threat by tying a digital key to your user account and then having you confirm that you're the one signing in either through a fingerprint or face scan. (That's Touch ID or Face ID, if you're using Apple's hardware.)

It's unclear how prominent passkeys will be when iOS 16 launches — you'd imagine Apple will implement them with its own websites and services first — but Apple promises that you will be able to sync them across all the Apple devices you own through your iCloud keychain. Additionally, Apple's involvement with FIDO means that you'll be able to sign into non-Apple devices by scanning a QR code with your phone and confirming your identity with Touch ID or Face ID.

In its passkeys preview at WWDC in June, Apple described the move to the new login standard as a journey, meaning passwords will remain with us for a little while longer. To that end, iOS 16 promises some additional password improvements such as enhancements to strong passwords generated in Safari. The Wi-Fi section of the Settings also is also getting a new edit button that lets you review Wi-Fi passwords stored on your phone so that you either share them with others or delete them if you no longer need them.

Philip Michaels is a Managing Editor at Tom's Guide. He's been covering personal technology since 1999 and was in the building when Steve Jobs showed off the iPhone for the first time. He's been evaluating smartphones since that first iPhone debuted in 2007, and he's been following phone carriers and smartphone plans since 2015. He has strong opinions about Apple, the Oakland Athletics, old movies and proper butchery techniques. Follow him at @PhilipMichaels.

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Apple releases iOS 16.6 and macOS Ventura 13.5 to the public, here's what's new

A fresh wave of Apple operating system updates has arrived!

While Apple seeds iOS 17 , macOS Sonoma , and watchOS 10 beta builds, the company continues to work on minor version bumps for last year's updates. After all, 2022's operating systems have delivered most of the promised features and changes, and now they require some final polishing. With this year's stable OS versions being a couple of months away, there's not much left to introduce in the previous releases. As a result, Apple has seeded iOS 16.6, iPadOS 16.6, macOS Ventura 13.5, and watchOS 9.6 to patch some leftover bugs and vulnerabilities.

According to the official release notes, these minor bumps only include some bug fixes and security updates. So while they don't pack any exciting user-facing changes, everyone is advised to update their compatible devices as soon as possible. After all, these smaller updates often patch actively exploited security vulnerabilities, and sticking to an outdated OS version could subject you to cyber risks.

In an early iOS 16.6 beta, we found some Contact Key Verification references, but these have seemingly not made it to the final release. For those unfamiliar, this upcoming feature could alert users when a third party intercepts or eavesdrops on their iMessages. When this offering will actually get finalized and activated is yet to be seen.

To update your compatible Apple device:

• Launch the Settings app.
• Head to the General section.
• Go to Software Updates .
• Give the page a few seconds to refresh.
• If you don't spot the update, you could try restarting your iDevice.
• Once the update appears, tap on Download and Install .
• The update will then start downloading.
• Once the download process concludes, it will prepare the update in the background.
• The installation process will then begin.
• Make sure your iDevice remains connected to a power source, and don't unplug it until the installation concludes.
• You're now running iOS 16.6, iPadOS 16.6, macOS Ventura 13.5, or watchOS 9.6.

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iOS 16.6: You Should Download This iPhone Update Now

Apple says the update patches some security issues that might be actively exploited.

• Apple software beta tester, "Helps make our computers and phones work!" - Zach's grandparents

iOS 16.6 brings a lot of bug fixes and security patches to your iPhone.

While most people are waiting for Apple to release iOS 17  after  Apple's next event on Sept. 12 , the tech giant still released iOS 16.6  on July 27. The update doesn't bring many new features to your iPhone , but it includes a lot of bug fixes and security patches, with some for a few issues Apple said might be actively exploited.

To download the update, got to Settings > General > Software Update , tap  Install Now  and follow the onscreen prompts. 

Apple said the iPhone update patches two issues that might be actively exploited. One issue is in WebKit -- the engine that powers Safari and other third-party browsers on iOS -- and might lead to an arbitrary code execution. That means a third party could steal your data or hack your device for other nefarious purposes, according to the  IT services company Okta . The second issue allowed an app to modify your iPhone's core iOS code, called the kernel.

The update also fixes other issues, including one with the Find My app where an app might be able to read your sensitive location information. Apple doesn't say this was actively exploited, but you should still download iOS 16.6 to fix this issue.

What else is new on iOS 16.6?

Other than patches and fixes, iOS 16.6 doesn't bring many new features to your iPhone. An early beta version of iOS 16.6 appeared to have some of the framework for iMessage Contact Key Verification . But that framework isn't included in the final version of iOS 16.6.

There are some new prompt messages in iOS 16.6 that you might see, like if you try to log into  iCloud for Windows  when your iPhone and Windows computer aren't on the same Wi-Fi network. 

The website Gadget Hacks also reports there are new alerts for Apple Card, Apple Card Family Sharing and Apple Card Savings. Some of those new alerts include a prompt asking you to verify a purchase with your Apple Card and a prompt asking you to complete your savings account information by including your employment status and source of income.

For more iOS news, check out when Apple might release iOS 17 ,  features we're most excited about in iOS 17  and five hidden iOS 17 features you should know about .

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iOS 16.6.1 ― Bug Fixes, Changes, and Improvements

• Thread starter Banglazed
• WikiPost WikiPost
• Start date Sep 7, 2023
• Sort by reaction score
• iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch
• iOS and iPadOS

macrumors 601

• Sep 7, 2023

applefeedback:// Click to expand...

• iOS 16 Preview
• iOS 16 Features
• iOS 16 Press Release
• iOS Release Notes
• iOS Beta Release Notes
• iOS Security Updates
• iPhone 14 Pro/Max: 1.80.02
• iPhone SE (3rd gen): 2.07.03
• iPhone 13/mini/Pro/Max: 2.80.01
• iPhone 12/mini/Pro/Max: 3.80.01
• iPhone 11/Pro/Max/SE (2nd gen)/iPad Air (4th gen): 4.03.01
• iPhone XR/XS/Max: 5.03.00
• Qualcomm iPhone 8/8 Plus/X: 8.03.00
• Intel iPhone 8/8 Plus/X: 5.03.00
• Optus - 51.0
• Telstra - 52.7
• Vodafone AU - 51.0
• BASE - 33.0
• Orange B - 54.0
• Proximus - 45.0
• Telenet - 44.1
• Claro Brasil - 54.1.0
• Vivo - 54.0
• Videotron - 53.0
• Rogers - 41.0
• Fido - 54.1
• Bell - 54.0.1
• Telus - 54.0.1
• Freedom/Shaw Mobile - 54.0.1
• Fizz - 53.0
• Virgin Mobile - 50.0
• 3 DK - 46.7.11
• Bouygues Telecom - 40.0
• Orange France - 54.0
• Vodafone.de - 54.0
• Telekom.de - 52.7
• O2-DE - 54.2.2
• Cosmote - 38.0
• TIGO GT - 49.0
• Airtel - 54.0
• Jio - 54.0 (iPhone) and 54.0.1 (iPad)
• Vi India (Vodafone Idea) - 54.0
• Vodafone IE - 38.0
• Mexico - Telcel - 54.0.1
• Orange - 50.0
• Vodafone NL - 45.0
• Orange - 49.6.3 (Voice & SMS)
• Play - 31.0
• Vodafone P - 40.0
• Orange RO - 53.7.2
• Singapore Singtel -
• Philippines Globe - 53.7.2
• Philippines Globe (iPad) - 38.0
• Philippines Smart - 54.0
• Thailand AIS - 53.0
• Thailand DTAC - 53.0
• Malaysia Umobile - 33.0
• Malaysia Maxis -33.0
• Malaysia Digi -
• Malaysia celcom -
• Hong Kong - 32.0
• Salt - 53.0
• Sunrise - 54.0
• Swisscom 54.0
• Turkcell (Lifecell) - 36.5.5
• Vodafone TR - 32.0
• Turk Telekom - 32.0
• BT-UK (EE MVNO)- 50.0.1
• Three - 54.0
• iD Mobile (Three MVNO) - 36.5.4
• O2-UK - 50.0
• Giffgaff (O2 MVNO) - 41.0
• Vodafone UK - 53.0
• Virgin Mobile (EE MVNO) - 39.5
• Lebara (Vodafone MVNO) - 51.0
• LycaMobile (EE MVNO) - 54.0
• AT&T - 54.0.1
• Cricket - 40.5.2
• FirstNet - 51.0
• FirstNet (iPad) - 41.7.6
• Metro (TMO MVNO) - 54.0.1
• Spectrum (VZW MVNO) - 54.0.1
• T-Mobile - 54.1.1
• TracFone/Straight Talk/Walmart Family Mobile - 54.0.1
• U.S. Cellular - 46.7.24
• Ultra/Mint Mobile (TMO MVNO) - 54.0.1
• Verizon - 54.0.1
• Verizon (iPad) - 41.0
• Visible (VZW MVNO) - 51.0.1
• Xfinity Mobile - 52.0
• Orange ES - 54.0
• Docomo - 32.5.10
• AlwaysOnline -

macrumors member

Banglazed said: Orange France - 50.0 Click to expand...

Hey_Apple_ said: I am with the Orange operator in France, and my version is 54.0, not 50.0 (iOS 16.6.1) Click to expand...

Banglazed said: Updated. Please do note that the first post is a wiki which means you can be edit and update the post (with crowdsourced info from users as yourself who are on this build). It is normally a copypasted from the previous release thread so it is not up to date. Click to expand...

macrumors regular

Welp, this is it iBros! Just a handful of days until we're all on 17 RC!  

macrumors 68030

So you are willing to let your phone be exposed to exploits for just a few days?  

dgutierrez04

Macrumors newbie.

• Sep 8, 2023

Banglazed said: iOS 16.6.1 Release Date ― September 7, 2023 Build Numbers ― 20G81 Darwin Kernel Version ― This update provides important bug fixes and security updates and is recommended for all users. iOS 16.6 RC Release Notes New Features & Changes New Issues Remaining Issues Resolved Issues Additional Notes Developers and testers can report bugs using the Feedback app. If you don't have the public or developer profiles installed, you can still open the app by entering the following URL in Safari: iOS 16 Preview iOS 16 Features iOS 16 Press Release iOS Release Notes iOS Beta Release Notes iOS Security Updates Spoiler: Modem Firmware iPhone 14 Pro/Max: 1.80.02 iPhone SE (3rd gen): 2.07.03 iPhone 13/mini/Pro/Max: 2.80.01 iPhone 12/mini/Pro/Max: 3.80.01 iPhone 11/Pro/Max/SE (2nd gen)/iPad Air (4th gen): 4.03.01 iPhone XR/XS/Max: 5.03.00 Qualcomm iPhone 8/8 Plus/X: 8.03.00 Intel iPhone 8/8 Plus/X: 5.03.00 Spoiler: Carrier Version Australia Optus - 51.0 Telstra - 52.7 Vodafone AU - 51.0 Belgium BASE - 33.0 Orange B - 54.0 Proximus - 45.0 Telenet - 44.1 Brazil Claro Brasil - 54.1.0 Vivo - 54.0 TIM - Oi - Canada Videotron - 53.0 Rogers - 41.0 Fido - 54.1 Bell - 54.0.1 Telus - 54.0.1 Freedom/Shaw Mobile - 54.0.1 Fizz - 53.0 Virgin Mobile - 50.0 Denmark 3 DK - 46.7.11 TDC 54.0 France Bouygues Telecom - 40.0 Orange France - 54.0 Germany Vodafone.de - 54.0 Telekom.de - 52.7 O2-DE - 54.2.2 Greece: Cosmote - 38.0 Guatemala TIGO GT - 49.0 India Airtel - 54.0 Jio - 54.0 (iPhone) and 54.0.1 (iPad) Vi India (Vodafone Idea) - 54.0 Ireland Eir - 33.5 Vodafone IE - 38.0 Mexico Mexico - Telcel - 54.0.1 Morocco Orange - 50.0 Netherlands KPN - 54.0 Vodafone NL - 45.0 Poland T-Mobile - Orange - 49.6.3 (Voice & SMS) Play - 31.0 Portugal Vodafone P - 40.0 Romania Orange RO - 53.7.2 Southeast Asia Singapore Singtel - Philippines Globe - 53.7.2 Philippines Globe (iPad) - 38.0 Philippines Smart - 54.0 Thailand AIS - 53.0 Thailand DTAC - 53.0 Malaysia Umobile - 33.0 Malaysia Maxis -33.0 Malaysia Digi - Malaysia celcom - Hong Kong - 32.0 Taiwan - Sweden Comviq - Tre - 31.0 Switzerland Salt - 53.0 Sunrise - 54.0 Swisscom 54.0 Turkey Turkcell (Lifecell) - 36.5.5 Vodafone TR - 32.0 Turk Telekom - 32.0 United Kingdom EE - 54.0 BT-UK (EE MVNO)- 50.0.1 Three - 54.0 iD Mobile (Three MVNO) - 36.5.4 O2-UK - 50.0 Giffgaff (O2 MVNO) - 41.0 Vodafone UK - 53.0 Virgin Mobile (EE MVNO) - 39.5 Lebara (Vodafone MVNO) - 51.0 United States AT&T - 54.0.1 Cricket - 40.5.2 FirstNet - 51.0 FirstNet (iPad) - 41.7.6 Metro (TMO MVNO) - 54.0.1 Spectrum (VZW MVNO) - 54.0.1 T-Mobile - 54.1.1 TracFone/Straight Talk/Walmart Family Mobile - 54.0.1 U.S. Cellular - 46.7.24 Ultra/Mint Mobile (TMO MVNO) - 54.0.1 Verizon - 54.0.1 Verizon (iPad) - 41.0 Visible (VZW MVNO) - 51.0.1 Xfinity Mobile - 52.0 Spain Orange ES - 54.0 Finland DNA - 52.7 Other Docomo - 32.5.10 AlwaysOnline - Click to expand...

Attachments

macrumors 65816

• Sep 9, 2023

CTHarrryH said: So you are willing to let your phone be exposed to exploits for just a few days? Click to expand...

macrumors 6502a

• Sep 10, 2023

I know I’ll get flak for this but… how’s the battery life currently on 16.5.1 (went back while it was still being signed) because 16.6 was horrible battery wise on my 13pm.  

elementalwingma

After updating to 16.6.1 my AirPods Pro were having a faulty connection seemingly out of nowhere, also not showing up in my widgets so I had to reset them but after that, all is well.  

Reverend Benny

• Sep 22, 2023

ipooed said: I know I’ll get flak for this but… how’s the battery life currently on 16.5.1 (went back while it was still being signed) because 16.6 was horrible battery wise on my 13pm. Click to expand...

• Sep 28, 2023

iPhone 14 Pro Max was on iOS 16.2 prior to upgrade to iOS 16.6.1 IPSW then OTA to iOS 16.7 RC Non-person sender, e.g. Yahoo, Google, Line, show up with names all in uppercase on iOS 16.2 but after upgrading to iOS 16.6.1 IPSW via Finder on Monterey, the sender names are now showing all in lowercase... Tried iOS 16.7 RC OTA and nothing changed even after multiple reboots... Something trivial but really weird change... EDIT: Will now be updating to public non-beta release of iOS 16.7  

winxmac said: iPhone 14 Pro Max was on iOS 16.2 prior to upgrade to iOS 16.6.1 IPSW then OTA to iOS 16.7 RC Non-person sender, e.g. Yahoo, Google, Line, show up with names all in uppercase on iOS 16.2 but after upgrading to iOS 16.6.1 IPSW via Finder on Monterey, the sender names are now showing all in lowercase... Tried iOS 16.7 RC OTA and nothing changed even after multiple reboots... Something trivial but really weird change... EDIT: Will now be updating to public non-beta release of iOS 16.7 Click to expand...

• Sep 30, 2023

Today I just finalised performing clean installs of iOS 16.6.1 on my following devices: -iPhone 8 -iPhone SE 3 -iPad 9 -iPad Pro M2 And I have to say, so far so good, coming from iOS 15.7, this release feels really snappy, fresh and polished. Maybe for iOS 17 I'll do the same, and wait for one of the last stable releases... If you want to downgrade to iOS 16, this build is still being signed, just as a reminder. PS: Updated my signature with the new devices (iPhone SE 3) and the new versions of iOS running on them.  

• Oct 8, 2023

Hello, could someone help me update to the 16 latest os? I get up ios 17 when i click on update.. I am currently on 16.5.1. Thank you in advance  

Sadly, iOS 16.6.1 is no longer signed, thus, downgrading from iOS 17 is no longer possible. It is also no possible to install iOS 16 making a clean install of the IPSW. The only possibility is to perform an OTA update from a lower version to iOS 16.7  

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iOS 16.6 Beta Coming Soon for iPhones Ahead of iOS 17 at WWDC

Apple has ramped up internal testing of iOS 16.6 over the past week, according to a reliable source of information. This suggests the first beta version of the update will be seeded to developers and public beta testers in the coming days.

iOS 16.6 will likely be a smaller update given that iOS 17 is on the horizon, but it remains to be seen which new features, changes, and bug fixes will be included. Apple previously announced that iMessage Contact Key Verification would be available in 2023, but it is unclear exactly when the optional security setting will launch.

iOS 16.6 should be released to the public in the weeks after WWDC, which begins June 5 . There is no sign of Apple testing iOS 16.7 yet, but it's still early.

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This document describes the security content of iOS 16.6.1 and iPadOS 16.6.1.

About Apple security updates

For our customers' protection, Apple doesn't disclose, discuss, or confirm security issues until an investigation has occurred and patches or releases are available. Recent releases are listed on the Apple security releases page.

Apple security documents reference vulnerabilities by CVE-ID when possible.

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iOS 16.6.1 and iPadOS 16.6.1

Released September 7, 2023

Available for: iPhone 8 and later, iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 5th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later

Impact: Processing a maliciously crafted image may lead to arbitrary code execution. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited.

Description: A buffer overflow issue was addressed with improved memory handling.

CVE-2023-41064: The Citizen Lab at The University of Torontoʼs Munk School

Impact: A maliciously crafted attachment may result in arbitrary code execution. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited.

Description: A validation issue was addressed with improved logic.

CVE-2023-41061: Apple

Additional recognition

We would like to acknowledge The Citizen Lab at The University of Torontoʼs Munk School for their assistance.

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iOS 17.5: New features, release date, and more details

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Apple has officially started beta testing iOS 17.5 with developers and public beta users. The update brings a handful of new features and changes, and is expected to be released sometime next month. Head below for everything we know right now.

Table of contents

When will ios 17.5 be released, web distribution in the eu, new quartiles game for apple news+, design changes, find my network updates, other ios 17.5 changes.

Based on previous years of iOS updates, I’d expect that iOS 17.5 will be released to everyone sometime in mid-May. Here’s a rundown of previous iOS x.5 update release dates:

• iOS 16.5 : May 18
• iOS 15.5 : May 16
• iOS 14.5 : April 26
• iOS 13.5 : May 20

So far, four iOS 17.5 betas have been released as of April 17.

• April 2 : iOS 17.5 beta 1, build number: 21F5048f
• April 16 : iOS 17.5 beta 2, build number: 21F5058e
• April 23 : iOS 17.5 beta 3, build number: 21F5063f
• April 30 : iOS 17.5 beta 4, build number: 21F5073b

What’s new in iOS 17.5?

While iOS 17.5 isn’t quite as big of an update as other iOS 17 updates, it still includes its fair share of new features and updates.

Within the European Union, the latest iOS 17.5 update introduces the capability to install applications directly from a developer’s website. Apple unveiled this new “Web Distribution” feature last month, explaining that it allows developers to distribute their iOS apps straight from their own websites.

To utilize this functionality, developers must opt into the updated App Store business terms, which requires paying a Core Technology Fee of €0.50 for every first annual installation exceeding one million in the preceding 12 months.

Any application disseminated through the web will still need to adhere to Apple’s notarization guidelines. Apps can only be installed from a website domain that the developer has registered in App Store Connect. Apple will also provide a range of APIs for developers to integrate with system functionality.

Apple has confirmed that iOS 17.5 beta includes support for Web Distribution. However, there are currently no developers offering their apps via this new Web Distribution feature. We don’t anticipate this changing until the public release of iOS 17.5 in May.

In the Apple News app, Apple News+ subscribers in the United States and Canada will find a new “Quartiles” word game after updating to iOS 17.5. The game prompts players to select from a grid of tiles to form words.

Quartiles is the third game to come to Apple News+, following the addition of daily crossword and crossword mini games that were added last year.

iOS 17.5 also adds Game Center integration to all three of the Apple News+ games. With this feature, you can now see leaderboards for each of the three games for Daily Solve Time and Daily Score stats.

iOS 17.5 beta 1 also includes a few small design changes that are worth pointing out:

• The Podcasts widget has been updated to have a new dynamic color that changes based on the artwork of the podcast you’re currently playing.

• In the Apple Books app, Apple has redesigned the “Reading Goal” icon in top navigation bar.

• In the Settings app, there is a new glyph for the “Passkeys Access for Web Browsers” menu under “Privacy & Security.”

Based on code discovered by 9to5Mac , iOS 17.5 seems to incorporate a new system centered around anti-stalking capabilities for accessories like AirTags. This development follows Apple’s announcement last year of a partnership with Google to collaborate on a new “industry specification to combat unwanted tracking.”

Strings added to the Find My app reveal that iOS will be able to identify tracking accessories, even those that are not Apple or Find My certified, and assist users in disabling them.

One of the new strings states, “This item lacks certification on the Apple Find My network. You have the option to disable this item and prevent it from sharing its location with the owner. To proceed, follow the instructions provided on a website by the manufacturer of this item.”

These changes come as Google started rolling out its new Find My Device network for Android on April 8.

New ‘Repair State’

In iOS 17.5 beta 4, Apple added a new “Repair State” feature to Find My. This feature lets users confirm with their Apple ID and password that they’re about to send their iPhone in for a repair. As a result, Apple technicians can confirm that the person owns the iPhone and then proceed with the repair without the need to turn off Stolen Device Protection and Find My.

Essentially, this ensures that users can still track their device using Find My while it’s being repaired. Previous, Apple required users to disabled Find My altogether.

• iOS 17.5 also includes an update for MDM users: “MDM solutions can now enforce a beta version during automated device enrollment.”
• iOS 17.5 beta 1 changes and features + new iPad Pro details
• iPadOS 17.5 hints at new ‘squeeze’ gesture for Apple Pencil 3
• Apple to let users watch their own videos during Vision Pro demo

Whether Apple has more changes planned for iOS 17.5 beyond what was launched today remains to be seen. The focus is clearly on the European Union, where Apple continues to adapt to the Digital Markets Act being enforced by the European Commission.

More on iOS 17.5:  

• Apple will allow users to download apps directly from a developer’s website, in latest EU App Store rule change
• iOS 17.5 to introduce new system to disable unwanted tracking accessories
• iPadOS 17.5 hints at new ‘squeeze’ gesture for Apple Pencil 3
• Apple releases first betas for iOS 17.5, macOS 14.5, visionOS 1.2, and more

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Apple's 'incredibly private' Safari is not so private in Europe

Infosec eggheads find igiant left eu ios 17 users open to being tracked around the web.

Apple's grudging accommodation of European antitrust rules by allowing third-party app stores on iPhones has left users of its Safari browser exposed to potential web activity tracking.

Developers Talal Haj Bakry and Tommy Mysk looked into the way Apple implemented the installation process for third-party software marketplaces on iOS with Safari, and concluded Cupertino's approach is particularly shoddy.

tl;dr: The way Apple has added support for third-party app stores lets any website, when visited by Safari on iOS at least, to ping a chosen approved software marketplace with a unique per-user identifier. That means as users move from website to website, or use a website, these sites can quietly disclose that activity to a non-Apple app store – revealing the sort of things individual netizens find interesting. That info can be used for targeted app promotions, ads, and so on. This appears to apply to iOS 17.4 users in the EU. Whether anyone will exploit this in the wild remains to be seen – but the potential is there.

"Our testing shows that Apple delivered this feature with catastrophic security and privacy flaws," wrote Bakry and Mysk in an advisory published over the weekend.

Apple – which advertises Safari as " incredibly private " – evidently has undermined privacy among European Union Safari users through a marketplace-kit: URI scheme that potentially allows approved third-party app stores to follow those users around the web.

A URI scheme is a way of determining how a particular network request gets handled. A website offering an alternative software marketplace can include a button that, when tapped in Safari, launches a marketplace-kit: request that is handled by a MarketplaceKit process on the EU user's iPhone. This process, built into iOS 17.4 by Apple, then reaches out to the back-end servers of the approved marketplace to complete the installation of that store's app on the phone.

The trouble is, any site can trigger a marketplace-kit: request. On EU iOS 17.4 devices, that will cause a unique per-user identifier to be fired off by Safari to an approved marketplace's servers, leaking the fact that the user was just visiting that site. This happens even if Safari is in private browsing mode. The marketplace's servers can reject the request, which can also include a custom payload, passing more info about the user to the alternative store. This is all illustrated in the video below.

Youtube Video

In addition to Apple's Safari, two other iOS browsers currently support third-party app stores in Europe: Brave and Ecosia.

Apple doesn't allow third-party app stores in most parts of the world, citing purported privacy and security concerns – and presumably interest in sustaining its ability to collect commissions for software sales.

But Apple has been designated as a "gatekeeper" under Europe's Digital Markets Act (DMA) for iOS, the App Store, Safari, and just recently iPadOS .

That designation means the iBiz has been ordered to open its gated community so that European customers can choose third-party app stores and web-based app distribution – also known as side-loading .

But wait, there's more

According to Bakry and Mysk, Apple's URI scheme has three significant failings. First, they say, it fails to check the origin of the website, meaning the aforementioned cross-site tracking is possible.

Second, Apple's MarketplaceKit – its API for third-party stores – doesn't validate the JSON Web Tokens (JWT) passed as input parameters via incoming requests. "Worse, it blindly relayed the invalid JWT token when calling the /oauth/token endpoint," observed Bakry and Mysk. "This opens the door to various injection attacks to target either the MarketplaceKit process or the marketplace back-end."

And third, Apple isn't using certificate pinning , which leaves the door open for meddling by an intermediary ( MITM ) during the MarketplaceKit communication exchange. Bakry and Mysk claim they were able to overwrite the servers involved in this process with their own endpoints.

The limiting factor of this attack is that a marketplace must first be approved by Apple before it can undertake this sort of tracking. At present, not many marketplaces have won approval. We're aware of the B2B Mobivention App marketplace , AltStore , and Setapp . Epic Games has also planned an iOS store . A few other marketplaces will work after an iThing jailbreak, but they’re unlikely to attract many consumers.

The two security researchers argue that scam apps regularly find their way through Apple's review process, meaning rogue app stores could be allowed through. And they claim the privacy problems arise from Apple wanting to track third-party store usage.

"The flaw of exposing users in the EU to tracking is the result of Apple insisting on inserting itself between marketplaces and their users," asserted Bakry and Mysk. "This is why Apple needs to pass an identifier to the marketplaces so they can identify installs and perhaps better calculate the due Core Technology Fee (CTF) ."

They urge iOS users in Europe to use Brave rather than Safari because Brave's implementation checks the origin of the website against the URL to prevent cross-site tracking.

• Academics probe Apple's privacy settings and get lost and confused
• In quest to defeat Euro red-tape, Apple said it had three Safari browsers – not one
• Apple demands app makers explain use of sensitive APIs
• Apple Private Wi-Fi hasn't worked for the past three years

Back when Apple planned not to support Home Screen web apps in Europe – a gambit later abandoned after developer complaints and regulatory pressure – the iGiant justified its position by arguing the amount of work required "was not practical to undertake given the other demands of the DMA." By not making the extra effort to implement third-party app stores securely, Apple has arguably turned its security and privacy concerns into a self-fulfilling prophecy.

In its remarks [PDF] on complying with the DMA, Apple declared, "In the EU, every user's security, privacy, and safety will depend in part on two questions. First, are alternative marketplaces and payment processors capable of protecting users? And, second, are they interested in doing so?"

There's also the question of whether Apple is capable of protecting users – and whether it's interested in doing so.

Apple did not respond to a request for comment. ®

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