AppleInsider Staff
After the release of iOS 9.0.2 on Wednesday, which fixed a number of bugs including a lock screen exploit, Apple stopped signing iOS 8.4.1 and iOS 9.0 firmware for compatible devices, prohibiting users who updated from downgrading.
As expected, Apple has taken steps to ensure iOS device owners have the latest and most stable version of its mobile operating system, and is no longer signing code for iOS 8.4.1 or iOS 9.0. The company is limiting compatible versions to iOS 9.0.1 and iOS 9.0.2, the latter of which as released earlier today.
With Apple no longer signing code, users who upgraded to the latest iOS 9 release can no longer revert to older iOS versions. Apple released iOS 8.4.1 in August with fixes for Apple Music and iCloud Music Library, while iOS 9.0 saw its debut two weeks ago.
In related news, the iOS 9.0.2 update issued today fixes a security issue that allowed malicious users to bypass a passcode protected lock screen and gain unfettered access to an iPhone's photos and contacts. The exploit was discovered in initial iOS 9 firmware and was left unpatched in iOS 9.0.1.
Malcolm Owen
Oliver Haslam
Andrew O'Hara
Wesley Hilliard
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
11 Comments
I suppose we'll just see more and more of this - the price of popularity.
The advantage is, Apple addresses it...not saying anything you don't all know.
Updated all of my devices this morning.
This is as it should be. Locking people out of insecure software limits the attractiveness of iOS to hackers, which in turn reduces the number of hackers on the iOS hacking scene and makes iOS safer for everyone.
[quote name="proline" url="/t/188596/apple-stops-ios-8-4-1-and-ios-9-0-code-signing-as-ios-9-0-2-fixes-lock-screen-exploit#post_2784481"]This is as it should be. Locking people out of insecure software limits the attractiveness of iOS to hackers, which in turn reduces the number of hackers on the iOS hacking scene and makes iOS safer for everyone. [/quote] I help make it less safe by using 6.1.6 daily. :D
And you can make it totally unsafe by jailbreaking it.