Apple has publicly released iOS 16.5, iPadOS 16.5, watchOS 9.5, macOS Ventura 13.4 and tvOS 16.5. These versions arrive a few days after the final betas, the so-called Release Candidates, two for iOS and iPadOS and three for macOS 13.4 Ventura. Previous public versions of Apple’s operating systems were released in late March.
As already pointed out in the past few weeks, all these new versions of Apple’s operating systems they mainly focus on improving stability, performance, and securityrather than on the implementation of new features as seen in previous versions.
According to the release notes relating to security, these new versions of the iPhone, iPad and macOS operating systems have also been implemented patches that correct “potentially exploited” problems, all related to WebKit. Apple therefore recommends update your compatible devices as soon as possible.
Exploits are identified with abbreviations 255350 CVE-2023-32409, 254930 CVE-2023-28204 And 254840 CVE-2023-32373. The former could remotely allow the ability to “exit the web content sandbox”; with the second, the processing of web content could disclose sensitive information; with the third, finally, the processing of maliciously created web content could lead to the execution of arbitrary code.
Two of the three exploits were initially patched with the first public Rapid Security Response for iOS 16.4.1 and macOS 13.3.1 in early May. Anyone who installed this update should therefore already be potentially protected from these exploits anyway.
In addition to these patches, however, some news has also arrived. On iOS, iPadOS and macOS it has been added a “Sports” tab in Apple News (where available), which allows users to get information and sports news about their favorite teams and leagues. Furthermore, the possibility of asking SIRI to start and stop recording the screen has arrived, even if this function seems to be available only in the English version of the voice assistant.
This is the complete changelog of iOS 16.4:
- A new Pride Celebration lock screen wallpaper to honor the LGBTQ+ community and culture
- The Sports tab in Apple News gives you easy access to stories, scores, standings and more, for the teams and leagues you follow
- The My Sports Score and Schedule tabs in Apple News take you directly to pages where you can find more details about specific games
- Fixes an issue where Spotlight may become unresponsive
- Fixes an issue where podcasts in CarPlay may not load content
- Fixes an issue where Screen Time settings might reset or not sync across devices
This is the macOS Ventura 13.4 changelog:
- The Sports feed in the Apple News sidebar gives you easy access to stories, scores, standings and more for the teams and leagues you follow
- The My Sports score and Schedule tabs in Apple News take you directly to pages where you can find more details about specific games
- Fixes an issue where Auto Unlock with Apple Watch doesn’t let you sign in to your Mac
- Fixes a Bluetooth issue where keyboards connect slowly to Mac after restart
- Fixes a VoiceOver issue with navigating to landmarks on web pages
- Fixes an issue where Screen Time settings might reset or not sync across devices
macOS 13.4, in addition, also adds new streamlined beta installation method. With this update, developers and public beta testers enrolled in their respective Apple programs can opt-in to receiving it from System Settings on their Mac, without needing to install a profile.
iOS 16.5 and iPadOS 16.5 are available both via OTA (Over The Air) update from Software update in Settings – General on iPhone and iPad, Finder on Mac and iTunes on PC. For the installation it is necessary to be connected to the Wi-Fi network and have at least 50% autonomyotherwise just be connected to the charger during the update as long as you have at least 20% battery remaining. Both on iPhone and iPad with data connectivity it is also possible to download iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2 via cellular network after activating the Allow more data on 5G network function in Settings – Cellular – Cellular data options – Data consumption (on iPhone).
macOS Ventura 13.4 can be downloaded and installed from the Software Update menu of System Settings – General. Similar speech for tvOS 16.5. Upgrading to watchOS 9.5 for Apple Watch, on the other hand, requires connection to charger and at least 50% autonomy. To proceed, open the Watch app from the iPhone and go to Software Update in the General section.
Before proceeding with the update is It is always advisable to make a full backup via the Finder (selecting encrypted to also keep passwords to avoid having to re-enter them all later), or via iCloud. In the event that the space available on your iCloud account is not necessary to contain the entire backup, Apple offers the possibility of get enough space for free which will be maintained for 21 days with the possibility of extension. Once the backup has been configured and restored on the new iPhone, you can choose whether to update the iCloud space to keep all the data or go back to the previous storage plan.
