This new iPhone update fixes a major security flaw on older models

Apple has released a new iPhone update aimed at older iPhones that can’t run the latest versions of iOS – and if you’re still using one, it’s worth installing as soon as possible. Unless, of course, you want to upgrade to one of the best smartphones instead.

This latest iPhone update arrives as iOS 16.7.15 and iOS 15.8.7, alongside matching iPadOS versions, and it is intended for older iPhones and iPads that are no longer supported by newer iOS releases, MacRumors reports.

You can install the iPhone update by heading to Settings > General > Software Update, or wait for it to arrive automatically if updates are already enabled.

While Apple’s initial release notes only mentioned “important security fixes”, the company later confirmed that this iPhone update patches vulnerabilities linked to the recently disclosed Coruna exploit kit.

That exploit, uncovered by Google’s Threat Intelligence Group, is one of the most comprehensive iOS exploit toolkits documented publicly. According to Google, it includes 23 exploits spanning four years of iOS versions, and targets iPhones running iOS 13.0 through iOS 17.2.1.

Coruna works by identifying the exact iPhone model and software version when visiting a compromised website, then selecting the most suitable exploit chain for that device. Google said the toolkit was used in several different campaigns, including espionage activity and financially motivated attacks targeting crypto users.

The important thing here is that Apple had already fixed these issues in various newer iOS releases. This latest iPhone update brings those same fixes to older devices still running the iOS 15 and iOS 16 branches, helping to keep unsupported hardware protected for longer.

That kind of long-tail support has become a familiar part of Apple’s approach. Officially, the company has committed to providing at least five years of security updates from an iPhone’s launch date, following UK regulatory requirements. In practice, though, Apple often supports devices for much longer than that minimum, easily outclassing most Android manufacturers in that regard.

Earlier this year, for example, Apple released another iPhone update for the iPhone 5s and iPhone 6. That software did not add new features, but extended the certificate needed for services such as iMessage, FaceTime, and device activation to keep working beyond January 2027. That means the iPhone 5s was still receiving software support 13 years after launch – an impressive feat indeed.

In short, while this new iPhone update might not look especially exciting, it is an important one. If you’re still using an older iPhone on iOS 15 or iOS 16, installing it is a simple way to make sure you have the latest available protections.

Read more: Apple’s folding iPhone may have just leaked. Here’s what it might look like

Esat Dedezade Contributor

About

Esat has been a gadget fan ever since his tiny four-year-old brain was captivated by a sound-activated dancing sunflower. From there it was a natural progression to a Sega Mega Drive, a brief obsession with hedgehogs, and a love for all things tech. After 7 years as a writer and deputy editor for Stuff, Esat ventured out into the corporate world, spending three years as Editor of Microsoft's European News Centre. Now a freelance writer, his appetite for shiny gadgets has no bounds. Oh, and like all good human beings, he's very fond of cats.