Apple Releases iOS 17.6.1 With Advanced Data Protection Bug Fix

[MacRumors]

Apple today released iOS 17.6.1 and iPadOS 17.6.1, minor updates to the iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 operating system updates that came out last year. Apple is making iOS 17.6.1 and iPadOS 17.6.1 available a week after the launch of iOS 17.6 and iPadOS 17.6.

iOS 17.6.1 and iPadOS 17.6.1 can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Apple has also released an iOS 16.7.10 update for devices that are unable to be upgraded to iOS 17.

According to Apple's release notes, the iOS 17.6.1 update addresses an issue that could prevent the enabling or disabling of Advanced Data Protection.

This update includes important bug fixes and addresses an issue that prevents enabling or disabling Advanced Data Protection.

The Advanced Data Protection bug impacted a small number of users. Those who tried to turn Advanced Data Protection on and weren't able to get it enabled saw an error message and it was clear it wasn't active. Affected users who tried to turn it off saw it disabled in the interface, though it was actually still active for iCloud data.

Both of those bugs have been fixed in the update. iPhone users who had the bug that prevented Advanced Data Protection from properly turning off will see a notification that asks them to confirm the decision to turn the feature off after installing iOS 17.6.1. Apple says that the few users who experienced this bug had an expected level of security or more, in the situation where ADP did not turn off as expected.

Article Link: Apple Releases iOS 17.6.1 With Advanced Data Protection Bug Fix

 

[Reverend Benny]

I just wish Apple would give a bit more details than the regular (like many other companies do) "important bugfixes".
Glad they haven't jumped on the hype to add pointless info like "contains sunshine and love".

Will be interesting to see if there are any CVE's listed..

 

[Account25476]

One week after iOS 17.6 and four betas later… If the bugs were so important, it’s surprising they weren’t noticed during the last 2 months and half. If it was just a security fix, well, they invented Rapid Security Responses for that. Maybe they forgot about it.

Either way, I don’t get it.⬤

 

[bob_zz123]

Around 300MB for both iPhone and iPad. Installed with no issues, nice and fast.

 

[Populus]

Wow! This was unexpectedly quick!

Yeah, that’s what she said

 

[Alwaysfindsaway]

I just wish Apple would give a bit more details than the regular (like many other companies do) "important bugfixes".
Glad they haven't jumped on the hype to add pointless info like "contains sunshine and love".

Will be interesting to see if there are any CVE's listed..

It literally says it’s a bug fix for advanced data protection. What are you talking about?!

 

[winxmac]

The leaker was correct with the build number...

 

[tonyisit]

Around 300MB for both iPhone and iPad. Installed with no issues, nice and fast.

on my ipad pro it was over 400MB

 

[Tomas1988]

300mb on 13PM

 

[xpxp2002]

One week after iOS 17.6 and four betas later… If the bugs were so important, it’s surprising they weren’t noticed during the last 2 months and half. If it was just a security fix, well, they invented Rapid Security Responses for that. Maybe they forgot about it.

Either way, I don’t get it.⬤

I gotta be honest. I don't think releases like 17.6 get much beta feedback or testing compared to builds that come out before the next major OS betas.

There is very little in iOS 18 that appeals to me, but so little to change between 17.5.1 and 17.6, that I almost considered briefly hopping on the beta bandwagon to get the bug fix for iCloud Tabs in Safari.

Other than that, I can understand why nobody was running the betas. They were either already on iOS 18 or holding off entirely.

 

[IJBrekke]

I always get worried about these final releases before a major switchover. Their focus is on the next big iOS, so the risk of a lower quality release in the existing software seems higher.

 

[Dapsol]

Their focus is on the next big iOS, so the risk of a lower quality release in the existing software seems higher.

The risk is much lower, because these bugfix releases only modify a tiny little bit of code, compared to the “major” versions with new features…
So the impact is minimal.

 

[UliBaer]

(...) So the impact is minimal.

...minimal like the fiasco with the advanced data protection?

 

[JosephAW]

I always feel more safe after the .1 updates.

 

[jazzzyJeff]

I always get worried about these final releases before a major switchover. Their focus is on the next big iOS, so the risk of a lower quality release in the existing software seems higher.

On the contrary, more focus into the stability and security of the final updates as they got a whole year ahead for the next version.

One week after iOS 17.6 and four betas later… If the bugs were so important, it’s surprising they weren’t noticed during the last 2 months and half. If it was just a security fix, well, they invented Rapid Security Responses for that. Maybe they forgot about it.

Either way, I don’t get it.⬤

Are you under the impression that iOS is just some Vanity Fair magazine that you could power thru in an afternoon? Software these days is extremely complex and regardless of the size of the team you could never get it to perfection. That's why you still see updates for older versions like iOS 16 and prior.

 

[grayskies]

welp, no cell signal after updating, any ideas...

edit: after numerous on/off cycles for the phone and separately for the cell signal, it is now working

 

[orev]

The risk is much lower, because these bugfix releases only modify a tiny little bit of code, compared to the “major” versions with new features…
So the impact is minimal.

Not sure about that. I would guess that most people willing to run beta versions are all probably on 18 now, so it would reduce the number of people testing the 17.6 betas.

 

[F-B-Z]

Installed on two iPhones. No issues at all.

 

[ifxf]

I guess Apple has abandoned Rapid Security Response.

 

[LV426]

I just wish Apple would give a bit more details than the regular (like many other companies do) "important bugfixes".
Glad they haven't jumped on the hype to add pointless info like "contains sunshine and love".

Will be interesting to see if there are any CVE's listed..

Apple do provide more details. But typically only after a significant number of users have had the opportunity to install the update.

You know who wants early details the most? The bad guys. There’s nothing they love more than knowing about a vulnerability that’s leaving millions of potential victims open to attack. And they are an industrious lot.

 

[Reverend Benny]

It literally says it’s a bug fix for advanced data protection. What are you talking about?!

"This update includes important bug fixes and addresses an issue that prevents enabling or disabling Advanced Data Protection"

My interpretation is that it's more than one bug fix AND and an adp issue.

 

[Reverend Benny]

I guess Apple has abandoned Rapid Security Response.

My guess is that it's used in rare cases when they really need to fix a critical security issue fast. In all other cases and when it's more fixes involved it's released as a .x release

 

[svish]

Good to know about this. I have turned it on and have not faced any issues.

 

[Reverend Benny]

Apple do provide more details. But typically only after a significant number of users have had the opportunity to install the update.

You know who wants early details the most? The bad guys. There’s nothing they love more than knowing about a vulnerability that’s leaving millions of potential victims open to attack. And they are an industrious lot.

I absolutely understand that they can't reveal all fixes, especially non disclosed ones or if they are within the disclosure deadline. Apple are pretty good at telling what CVE's that has been fixed once they are public.

But a lot of times its a guessing game where people in forums are telling that "Hey, the photo bug seem to be fixed" or similar.

 

[nightflight82]

carplay fix - siri now previews the message in an audio format before sending it (this feature was avail in prior ios reiterations)