Apple Releases iOS 15.7.9, iPadOS 15.7.9, macOS 12.6.9 and macOS 11.7.10

[MacRumors]

Apple today released new iOS, iPadOS, and macOS updates that are aimed at iPhone, iPad, and Mac users who are still running older versions of operating systems and are not able to upgrade to iOS 17 or macOS Ventura.

The macOS Monterey‌‌ 12.6.9 and macOS Big Sur 11.7.10 updates can be downloaded on all eligible Macs using the Software Update section of System Preferences.

iOS 15.7.9 and iPadOS 15.7.9 can be downloaded on eligible iPhones over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

It is likely that these software updates include the same security fixes that Apple provided last week in the iOS 16.6.1, iPadOS 16.16.1, watchOS 9.6.2, and macOS Ventura 13.5.2 releases.

The software addressed security vulnerabilities that could allow hackers to gain access to an operating system through a PassKit (Wallet) image. The vulnerabilities are part of the BLASTPASS exploit chain that has been used to deliver the NSO Group's Pegasus spyware to devices owned by government officials, journalists, and more.

Article Link: Apple Releases iOS 15.7.9, iPadOS 15.7.9, macOS 12.6.9 and macOS 11.7.10

 

[jz0309]

Security updates esp for “older” OS versions are always welcome!

 

[sevoneone]

Probably the last planned maintenance updates for Big Sur and iOS/iPad OS 15, with release dates for Sonoma and 17 coming tomorrow.

 

[ikir]

Very welcome!

 

[CarAnalogy]

Security updates esp for “older” OS versions are always welcome!

Though it would be nice if they were offered to all devices running 15, not just the ones that aren't allowed to update to 16.

 

[Bustycat]

Who said Apple would always avoid 6 and 9 together?

 

[NEPOBABY]

When I go to the cafe or library I still see people using mid 2015 Macs. I wonder about the security.

 

[ricketysquire]

This is one thing Apple does really well. There are still occasional updates for IOS 12 devices, for example the iPad mini 2, which came out in 2013. Don’t see many 10 year old android devices getting any updates.

 

[casjohnr]

I 'Wonderlust' why my old devices are running a bit slower after installing these updates, must rush out and give my mate Tim some more of my money!

 

[Mr. Dee]

Amazing Big Sur is still getting updates. Kudos to Apple.

 

[tywebb13]

Build numbers:

iOS 15.7.9: 19H365

iPasOS 15.7.9: 19H365

macOS Monterey 12.6.9: 21G726

macOS Big Sur 11.7.10: 20G1427

Also here are the full installers for Monterey and Big Sur:

12.6.9: https://swcdn.apple.com/content/dow...2gnh3on9z9em9mvp63bkxk9k/InstallAssistant.pkg

11.7.10: http://swcdn.apple.com/content/down...sdzz3rgc7mrccjl3l22ruk1c/InstallAssistant.pkg

 

[matthew12]

Build numbers:

iOS 15.7.9: 19H365

iPasOS 15.7.9: 19H365

macOS Monterey 12.6.9: 21G726

macOS Big Sur 11.7.10: 20G1427

Also here are the full installers for Monterey and Big Sur:

12.6.9: https://swcdn.apple.com/content/dow...2gnh3on9z9em9mvp63bkxk9k/InstallAssistant.pkg

11.7.10: http://swcdn.apple.com/content/down...sdzz3rgc7mrccjl3l22ruk1c/InstallAssistant.pkg

Or get the full installers automatically built for you by running the following Terminal commands without the quotes:

Big Sur: "softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 11.7.10"

Monterey: "softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 12.6.9"

 

[Jay Tee]

Why does the Preparing Update... take so long to complete compared to applying the update itself ?

Maybe a backup's being executed.

 

[Populus]

Probably the last planned maintenance updates for Big Sur and iOS/iPad OS 15, with release dates for Sonoma and 17 coming tomorrow.

For Big Sur, probably. As well as for iOS 14.

For Monterey and iOS 15 I expect one more year of security updates.

 

[Populus]

Build numbers:

iOS 15.7.9: 19H365

iPasOS 15.7.9: 19H365

macOS Monterey 12.6.9: 21G726

macOS Big Sur 11.7.10: 20G1427

Also here are the full installers for Monterey and Big Sur:

12.6.9: https://swcdn.apple.com/content/dow...2gnh3on9z9em9mvp63bkxk9k/InstallAssistant.pkg

11.7.10: http://swcdn.apple.com/content/down...sdzz3rgc7mrccjl3l22ruk1c/InstallAssistant.pkg

Many thanks. It’s about time to make a clean install of Monterey in order to have my Mac fresh and ready for the next year.

 

[mapsdotapp]

This marks the end of Apple supporting watchOS 8 with security updates. Series 3 owners beware. Your watch is now a permanent attack vector.

 

[MrRom92]

I wonder what version number they will go to if there is another critical security update they feel the need to patch

 

[tywebb13]

Build numbers:

iOS 15.7.9: 19H365

iPasOS 15.7.9: 19H365

I don't like 9to5mac's article on this: https://9to5mac.com/2023/09/11/apple-releases-ios-15-7-9-with-important-security-fixes/

Firstly they are saying iOS 15.7.9 is available for iPhones, iPod touches AND iPads. The last iOS version for iPads was iOS 12.5.7. After that it is iPadOS for iPads.

Secondly they are saying the build number is 2A2197. It is not. It is 19H365.

Seriously .... the author was either drunk, stoned or an android user.

 

[AppleWes]

Why does the Preparing Update... take so long to complete compared to applying the update itself ?

Maybe a backup's being executed.

I think it may be so your device is still usable during update background process, instead of going straight to the black Apple logo screen for such a long time (as it seem to for older iOS versions.)

Wild guess on my part but it makes sense, and I prefer it. I remember always being a little worried never knowing how long the Apple screen would take.

 

[minik]

Who said Apple would always avoid 6 and 9 together?

Running 12.7 (21G813) since Aug 31 as a customer seed. Not sure if I'm safe. Official build for 12.6.9 is 21G726.

 

[applepotato666]

Though it would be nice if they were offered to all devices running 15, not just the ones that aren't allowed to update to 16.

It's allowed since iOS 14. It actually shows the option to update your 15 first and "Update to iOS 16" is on the bottom as "Also available".

 

[tywebb13]

Running 12.7 (21G813) since Aug 31 as a customer seed. Not sure if I'm safe. Official build for 12.6.9 is 21G726.

You won't see the 12.6.9 update if you are running the 12.7 betas.

To be safe you can use the full installer for 12.6.9 to downgrade, or stop using that computer till the next 12.7 beta is released.

Higher build doesn't necessarily mean newer build. It is rare but in this case 21G726 is newer than 21G813. It might be OK if the security fixes in 21G726 are also in 21G813 - but we don't know that.

 

[Jordan Klein]

It's allowed since iOS 14. It actually shows the option to update your 15 first and "Update to iOS 16" is on the bottom as "Also available".

Unfortunately, you can only install updates to 15.7.x to older devices that can't be upgraded to iOS 16. They removed all the newer devices from support for iOS 15.7.x. I'm running 15.7.2 on my iPhone SE 3 and can't upgrade to anything less than 16.6.1.

I'm taking my chances for now on 15.7.2 and trusting that I won't go to a site that pwns my iPhone. 16.x is a hot mess of garbage from what I'm hearing and so I'm avoiding it.

 

[poematik13]

Be careful updating to 12.6.9, it bricked my 2019 16" MBP. Was stuck on black screen apple logo update progress bar for like 3 hours, had to restore from TM backup.

 

[definitive]

They could have released security updates for some of the much older Macs as well. There are still tons of people who are still running their Intel systems and don't have much need to upgrade to the M1 or newer.