As expected, Apple released iOS 16.3.1 and iPadOS 16.3.1, updating the phone and tablet to the same version released for tvOS and HomePod last week.
There are three bugs fixed according to the release notes:
iCloud settings may not respond or display incorrectly if apps use iCloud
Siri requests for Find My may not work
Collision detection optimizations on iPhone 14 and Phone 14 Pro models
While these bug fixes are welcome, there are a few critical security fixes that make this a must-have update. There are two big fixes: a kernel flaw that affects all Apple devices that iOS/iPadOS 16 can run on has been fixed, which could allow an application to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges and a Safari flaw that fixes an issue where a malicious web page could allow execution of arbitrary code.
The notes state that this latest vulnerability “may have been actively exploited,” which pushes it to the top of the list and makes iOS 16.3.1 a significant update. Security vulnerabilities are common, but if there are already exploits in the wild, it’s essential that you fix your device as soon as possible.
To update to iOS 16.3.1, head to the Settings app, tap General and then Software update. Finally, touch Download and install and follow the instructions.
