Apple has not previously specified its security update practices. It takes enterprising users and researchers to compare security patch notes and CVE numbers to determine what gets patched.

According to a new support document reported by Ars Technica, Apple says that only the most comprehensive security patches are available for the latest operating systems. On older systems, vulnerabilities will still be patched, but not all of them.

The support document is meant to define the difference between software updates and upgrades, but information about security patches is also included. It briefly mentions that older macOS versions are not as protected as the latest major system versions.

Not surprising for those who follow the industry. Apple will patch serious problems with operating systems that are years old, but not every patch will be universally applied.

For the average user, the best way to stay protected from vulnerabilities is to use the latest hardware and update to the latest available software. However, not every user will be able to upgrade their operating system as soon as the latest and greatest version is rolled out.

Some users will still stick with an older operating system. For example, as devices age, they lose the ability to run the latest software and are officially dropped from support for new upgrades.

For devices that can run the latest software, users sometimes decide to wait for a stable version to arrive, or for work-related applications to become compatible. Even when a new operating system has been introduced, Apple tends to release a small number of support updates for older systems.

For example, Apple recently released iOS 15.7.1, which includes a number of security fixes and patches. However, this update covers a smaller list of vulnerability entries than iOS 16.1.

The post Apple confirms patches for older iOS and macOS systems appeared first on TechGoing.

Note that due to server configuration caching issues at Apple’s regional nodes, there may be a slight delay in detecting the update in some places, usually within half an hour, not too long.

The iOS and iPadOS 15.7.1 update can be downloaded to eligible iPhones and iPads through Settings – General – Software Update. This update is designed for older iPhones and iPads that are unable to run iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, and is also available to those who currently choose not to update to iOS 16.

The iOS 15.7.1 release was delayed because Face ID did not work on some iPhones during Beta testing, and Apple may have fixed related issues before releasing the update.

According to Apple’s update notes, iOS 15.7.1 includes important security fixes that are recommended for all users. iOS 15.7.1 fixes a number of vulnerabilities, including a kernel vulnerability that Apple says may have been exploited, so all users should update as soon as possible. iOS 16 users received these fixes in the iOS 16.1 update.

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