Ahead of the launch of iOS 16.2, which is expected to arrive next month, Apple has released a small iOS 16.1.1 and iPadOS 16.1.1 with bug fixes and security updates. It is recommended for all iOS 16 devices.
While the released notes are vague, the fix likely patches two nagging issues. One affected some users’ ability to stay connected to Wi-Fi networks and the other impacted Apple’s SKAdNetwork, which “lets advertisers measure the success of advertisements by attributing app installations to specific ad campaigns.”
There are also two critical security updates included in the release, which could allow a remote user to execute arbitrary code. Neither of these has been known to have been exploited in the wild:
libxml2
- Available for: iPhone 8 and later, iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 5th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
- Impact: A remote user may be able to cause unexpected app termination or arbitrary code execution
- Description: An integer overflow was addressed through improved input validation.
- CVE-2022-40303: Maddie Stone of Google Project Zero
libxml2
- Available for: iPhone 8 and later, iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 5th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
- Impact: A remote user may be able to cause unexpected app termination or arbitrary code execution
- Description: This issue was addressed with improved checks.
- CVE-2022-40304: Ned Williamson and Nathan Wachholz of Google Project Zero
How to update to iOS 16.1.1.
To update to iOS 16.1.1, head over to the Settings app, then General, and Software Update. Tap Download and Install and follow the prompts. It will require a restart.
Author: Michael Simon, Executive Editor
Michael Simon has been covering Apple since the iPod was the iWalk. His obsession with technology goes back to his first PC—the IBM Thinkpad with the lift-up keyboard for swapping out the drive. He's still waiting for that to come back in style tbh.