Apple Stops Signing iOS 14.4.2 After Releasing iOS 14.5.1 With Fix for Actively Exploited Security Issues

[MacRumors]

Following today's release of iOS 14.5.1 and last week's release of iOS 14.5, Apple has stopped signing iOS 14.4.2, the previously available version of iOS 14 released on March 26. With iOS 14.4.2 no longer being signed, it is not possible to downgrade to iOS 14.4.2 from iOS 14.5 or iOS 14.5.1 if you've already updated your iPhone or iPad.

Apple routinely stops signing older versions of software updates after new releases come out in order to encourage customers to keep their operating systems up to date.

iOS 14.4.2 was a security update that addressed a vulnerability where processing maliciously crafted web content could lead to universal cross-site scripting. iOS 14.5 released last week addressed a number of security issues, and today's release of iOS 14.5.1 addresses another pair of WebKit issues that may have been actively exploited, so those who have not yet updated should do so.

Article Link: Apple Stops Signing iOS 14.4.2 After Releasing iOS 14.5.1 With Fix for Actively Exploited Security Issues

 

[Populus]

These articles don’t need to exist.

I disagree, I appreciate to know when I can downgrade or not.

 

[sparkinstx]

I haven't seen any news about it, but WatchOS 7.4.1 was released today. I'm installing it now.

Update: Build is 18T201. Mine is a Series 4.

 

[Menneisyys2]

"iOS 14.5.1 addresses another pair of WebKit issues that may have been actively exploited"

Which means anyone hoping for a future jailbreak for A12+ should stay away. Particularly now that 14.5 is pretty stable and already has all the goodies (mask unlock, AirTag etc.).

 

[Wildkraut]

This is another thing that should be dragged to court, OS downgrade limitations.

 

[now i see it]

Months and months of iOS 14.5 betas totaling six - then when it finally releases they've got to scramble to fix a security flaw a week later

 

[Jack Neill]

I just downed a iPhone 8 to 14.4.2 yesterday because of some issues I was having. Phew just made it.

 

[Populus]

I just downed a iPhone 8 to 14.4.2 yesterday because of some issues I was having. Phew just made it.

Just out of curiosity, what kind of issues?
iPhone 8 here, was hesitant about the update.

 

[doboy]

Months and months of iOS 14.5 betas totaling six - then when it finally releases they've got to scramble to fix a security flaw a week later

They also fixed an non-security (app tracking) issue that they caused even after all the betas.

 

[abbstrack]

wondering how restore from backup works in this instance. i had a brand new 2020 iPad pro that i returned after learning of the new M1 model. It was not yet on 14.5 when I returned it, so presumably it was on 14.4.2 when I last did an icloud backup before returning it. When receive my new iPad pro, does restore from backup also attempt to install an older SW version, or is it just profile, settings, apps, etc?

 

[doboy]

wondering how restore from backup works in this instance. i had a brand new 2020 iPad pro that i returned after learning of the new M1 model. It was not yet on 14.5 when I returned it, so presumably it was on 14.4.2 when I last did an icloud backup before returning it. When receive my new iPad pro, does restore from backup also attempt to install an older SW version, or is it just profile, settings, apps, etc?

No it'll just load your data on top of whatever iOS it comes with.

 

[Jack Neill]

Just out of curiosity, what kind of issues?
iPhone 8 here, was hesitant about the update.

My issues were iCloud related and specific to this particular device. 14.5 has been fine on all my other devices.

 

[Jack Neill]

I just downed a iPhone 8 to 14.4.2 yesterday because of some issues I was having. Phew just made it.

LOL why was I downvoted? Did you think I made it up? wow... I am just glad I made the signing window in time.

 

[BornAgainMac]

I just hate those "????" Needs to be Updated - The developer of this app needs to update it to work with this version of iOS. Click OK.

I have the worst luck with app compatibility. Doesn't seem to be a 32-bit issue but something more mysterious.

 

[valkov9191]

Great, a while ago I thought to put 14.4.2 because the problems with the Wi Fi connection continue and it's terrible. The connection is either missing or very, very slow, I was hoping that in 14.5.1 this bug was fixed, unfortunately not and I don't know how much longer I will have to wait until they fix it! Shame Apple!

 

[RalfTheDog]

I just hate those "????" Needs to be Updated - The developer of this app needs to update it to work with this version of iOS. Click OK.

I have the worst luck with app compatibility. Doesn't seem to be a 32-bit issue but something more mysterious.

Perhaps it is related to user tracking and ads.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

Do we know if the WebKit issue was limited to just 14.5.0, or is it also present on 14.4.2?

 

[BaltimoreMediaBlog]

This is another thing that should be dragged to court, OS downgrade limitations.

I totally agree. I've been saying this for years. The IOS 10 to 11 upgrade cost me nearly 50 free 32 bit games, and there was no way to go back and because Apple forced the upgrade on me as my iPhone was in repair at Apple. Basically, they damaged the unit in my opinion. This is one thing that should be a class action lawsuit that rarely anyone ever mentions. Oh, of course Apple did return my iPhone in full working condition as they call it, but not in the condition I sent it to them, but with only half of my apps functional.

 

[BaltimoreMediaBlog]

LOL why was I downvoted? Did you think I made it up? wow... I am just glad I made the signing window in time.

They should at least be forced to legally give a warning as to when you'll not be able to downgrade anymore, but even that is not good enough in my opinion.

 

[Sasparilla]

Do we know if the WebKit issue was limited to just 14.5.0, or is it also present on 14.4.2?

Don’t know, but since there haven’t been big changes in WebKit there it’s probably safer to assume the actively exploited (in the wild) web page bug is present in earlier versions…including 14.4.2.

 

[Populus]

Don’t know, but since there haven’t been big changes in WebKit there it’s probably safer to assume the actively exploited (in the wild) web page bug is present in earlier versions…including 14.4.2.

If we can get any identification for the exploits (the number, the name) we can compare between the exploits 14.4.2 patched and the ones 14.5.1 patches. We compare and if they are the same IDs, it’s the same patch. If they differ, that means the exploits are present in 14.4.2

 

[gnasher729]

wondering how restore from backup works in this instance. i had a brand new 2020 iPad pro that i returned after learning of the new M1 model. It was not yet on 14.5 when I returned it, so presumably it was on 14.4.2 when I last did an icloud backup before returning it. When receive my new iPad pro, does restore from backup also attempt to install an older SW version, or is it just profile, settings, apps, etc?

OS and applications are not backed up and restored, the phone will just download the latest version. So if you finally replace your iPhone 6 on 12.5.2, then the new phone will have the latest iOS version it can handle.

 

[JPSaltzman]

I hope iOS 14.5 doesn't turn out to be a fiasco like iOS 13.x was, where every single week (it seemed) there was yet another .1 (point-one) release to fix some bug.

 

[dmi]

Apple routinely stops signing older versions of software updates after new releases come out in order to encourage customers to keep their operating systems up to date.

Their routine is acting contrary to its stated purpose for this user, who was about to update but is now reluctant to do something irreversible.

 

[saudor]

Sweet. Was able to get back to 14.4.2 in time so i can run my older apps again. (many new ones have additional bugs, performance degradation and other functionality broken)