Apple Releases iOS 14.5.1 Update To Patch Security Flaws GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO News > Internet & Security
Apple Releases iOS 14.5.1 Update To Patch Security Flaws
Time to update your device again.
By Allison Murray Allison Murray Tech News Reporter Southern Illinois University Allison reports on all things tech. She's a news junky that keeps her eye on the latest trends. Allison is a writer working out of Chicago, IL, with her only coworker: her cat Norbert. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on May 4, 2021 12:42PM EDT Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr University of Maryland Baltimore County Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. lifewire's fact checking process Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Internet & Security Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming Gaming If you have an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch, you should install Apple’s latest update that patches security flaws as soon as possible. Apple released updates on Monday for its devices that patch flaws involving malicious web content. According to 9to5Mac, the web flaws could have led to the exploitation of “arbitrary code execution.” Getty Images / Marko Gerber The first spotted flaw could have led to memory corruption, but Apple reportedly fixed it with “improved state management,” according to support documents from the company. A second flaw also was detected with the same malicious web content, which Apple resolved with “improved input validation.” However, Apple said that this vulnerability was actively being exploited in the wild when it was spotted. Lifewire has reached out to Apple for comment on the flaws and to find out how many users potentially were exploited. We will update this story if and when we hear back. The new updates that protect against these flaws are included in iOS14.5.1, iOS 12.5.3, macOS 11.3.1, and watchOS 7.4.1. A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved state management. Aside from security patches, 9to5Mac said the new iOS update also fixes an issue where Apple’s App Tracking Transparency feature was grayed out for some users. This is the first update and first spotted security flaw since Apple released its much-anticipated iOS 14.5 version last week. iOS 14.5 included new Siri voices, the option to choose a third-party music player app as your default music player, the ability to unlock your phone while wearing a face mask, and more. Apple prioritized user security and privacy in the iOS 14.5 update, with new security features like the ability to turn off app-tracking with the App Tracking Transparency feature. The feature—which experts are calling "the most significant improvement in digital privacy in the history of the internet”—automatically pops up when you download a new app to your iPhone, and asks you if you’d like to turn off tracking for the app or allow it. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire iOS 16: News, Price, Release Date, and Features How to Improve Security on iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch How to Use App Tracking Transparency on iPhone How to Fix It When an Amazon Fire Tablet Is Stuck on the Fire Screen Why Does My Phone Keep Freezing? How to Fix Load Content Error in iOS 15 How to Limit Ad Tracking on iPhone and iPad What Is a Patch? (Patch / Hotfix Definition) How to Fix the Most Common iOS 15 Problems Why Can't I Upgrade My iPad? How to Turn Off Auto Update on iPhone How to Recalibrate the iPhone Battery How to Download and Install New iOS Updates Everything You Need to Know About iOS 7 How to Stop Auto Updates on Android What Was Flash & What Happened to It? Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies