On Thursday, October 3, Apple released several software updates for its operating systems. These updates address several bugs, and fix a couple of security vulnerabilities specific to iOS and iPadOS. Let’s briefly explore some highlights of what Apple has fixed.
Available for: Available for: iPhone XS and later, iPad Pro 13-inch, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 7th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Update Information:
Apple says that these iOS and iPadOS updates provide “important bug fixes and security updates.” They include some important bug fixes, including:
Security-related fixes and updates:
Apple only lists two vulnerabilities that it patched in these updates:
Media Session
Available for: iPhone 16 (all models)
Impact: Audio messages in Messages may be able to capture a few seconds of audio before the microphone indicator is activated
Description: This issue was addressed with improved checks.
CVE-2024-44207: Michael Jimenez and an anonymous researcher
Passwords
Available for: All devices capable of running iOS or iPadOS 18
Impact: A user’s saved passwords may be read aloud by VoiceOver
Description: A logic issue was addressed with improved validation.
CVE-2024-44204: Bistrit Dahal
Available for: All supported Macs capable of running macOS Sequoia
Update information:
According to Apple’s “What’s new in the updates for macOS Sequoia” page, this update provides important bug fixes for your Mac, including:
As of this moment, Apple says on its security releases page that “This update has no published CVE entries.” Apple sometimes adds new details months later, so there’s a possibility that the update might patch vulnerabilities that have not yet been assigned CVE numbers, or that Apple isn’t ready to disclose.
Apple also released watchOS 11.0.1, visionOS 2.0.1, and Safari 18.0.1 for macOS Sonoma and macOS Ventura. Each of these updates contains non-security bug fixes, but “no published CVE entries” (i.e. no disclosed security updates) as of this moment.
If you haven’t yet upgraded to macOS Sequoia, be sure to first update your critical software. For example, run Intego’s NetUpdate utility and install all available updates, and then check for updates for all other software that you use regularly. Next, check for macOS updates by going to the Spotlight (
If you have any trouble getting the macOS update to show up, either press ⌘R at the Software Update screen, or type in the Terminal softwareupdate -l (that’s a lowercase L) and press Return/Enter, then check System Settings > General > Software Update again.
Note that only the latest macOS version (currently, that’s macOS Sequoia) is ever fully patched; older macOS versions only get a subset of those patches and remain vulnerable. Therefore, staying on the latest macOS version is critically important for maintaining your security and privacy. For more information, see our article, “When does an old Mac become unsafe to use?”
Users of iPhone or iPad can open the Settings app and choose General > Software Update to update iOS or iPadOS on their devices. (This is called an “over the air” or OTA update.) Alternatively, you can connect your device to your Mac, click on the device name in a Finder window sidebar, and check for updates there; or, if you use a Windows PC, you can use the Apple Devices app.
To update watchOS on your Apple Watch, the process is a bit more complicated. First, update your iPhone to the latest operating system it can support (ideally the latest version of iOS 17). Next, ensure that both your iPhone and Apple Watch are on the same Wi-Fi network. Your Apple Watch also needs to have at least a 50% charge. Then open the Watch app on your iPhone and tap General > Software Update.
To update visionOS on your Apple Vision Pro, Apple recommends that you first back up your device to iCloud. Then go to Settings > General > Software Update to check for updates.
Whenever you’re preparing to update macOS, iOS, iPadOS, or visionOS, it’s a good idea to always back up your data before installing any updates. This gives you a restore point if something does not go as planned. See our related article on how to check your macOS backups to ensure they work correctly.
See also our article on how to back up your iPhone or iPad to iCloud and to your Mac.
Should you back up your iPhone to iCloud or your Mac? Here’s how to do both
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