Apple stops iOS 14.7 code signing following release of iOS 14.7.1

Following the release of a security-focused point update to iOS in July, Apple on Monday ceased signing code for iOS 14.7.

Apple pushed out iOS 14.7.1 just over a week ago to patch a security vulnerability that may have been exploited in the wild. The release also included a fix for a bug that prevented iPhones with Touch ID from unlocking a connected Apple Watch.

Today's end of iOS 14.7 code signing means users who upgraded to iOS 14.7.1 can no longer downgrade to the older operating system version.

Apple issued iOS 14.7 in mid July to enable hardware support for the new MagSafe Battery Pack and improve the Apple Card Family experience. The update also included performance enhancements and a variety of security fixes.

Apple routinely stops signing legacy code after the release of a new iOS build in part to protect customers from nefarious actors attempting to take advantage of newly discovered vulnerabilities. Preventing users from downloading older code also allows Apple to keep more iOS devices on the latest, feature-rich software.

As an expected iPhone hardware refresh approaches, Apple continues work on iOS 15, an update set to deliver major under-the-hood changes alongside fresh features for first party apps like FaceTime, Maps, Messages and Safari.

Apple has not issued an iOS 14.8 beta, though one could roll out prior to the launch of iOS 15 this fall.

5 Comments

skippingrock 199 comments · 19 Years

About 3 years ago

I still don’t see 14.7.1 in my updates.

ArchStanton 200 comments · 3 Years

skippingrock said:

I still don’t see 14.7.1 in my updates.

You have to do what you have to do but it's very important to install patches (this is not an Apple thing, this a general rule for OS and app SW). I will let a day go by to make sure no immediate major bug is present, then push patches manually.
Company's most often do these updates exclusively to fix highly specific scenario bugs (often not applicable to the average user) and the very important closing of newly identified security vulnerabilities. These updates will rarely change menus or features - the average user will likely not even notice an X.X.# update. It's the vulnerabilities that users should patch as soon as they're able to. Waiting doesn't provide a benefit while it leaves you open to a vulnerability that has an unknown propagation level -- not good.

ArchStanton said:

skippingrock said:

I still don’t see 14.7.1 in my updates.

You have to do what you have to do but it's very important to install patches (this is not an Apple thing, this a general rule for OS and app SW). I will let a day go by to make sure no immediate major bug is present, then push patches manually.
Company's most often do these updates exclusively to fix highly specific scenario bugs (often not applicable to the average user) and the very important closing of newly identified security vulnerabilities. These updates will rarely change menus or features - the average user will likely not even notice an X.X.# update. It's the vulnerabilities that users should patch as soon as they're able to. Waiting doesn't provide a benefit while it leaves you open to a vulnerability that has an unknown propagation level -- not good.

I’m not sure what you’re saying here. I’m just saying that I go to General settings and check for update and it still says that 14.7 is the latest update for my iPhone 8. I’ve had to manually update it from my computer instead of from my iPhone. I’m not waiting, I just never had it propagate to my iPhone as an on-device update. So hope that clarifies for you.

It’s updating now, but could only do it from my Mac by connecting the cable.

skippingrock said:

ArchStanton said:

skippingrock said:

I still don’t see 14.7.1 in my updates.

You have to do what you have to do but it's very important to install patches (this is not an Apple thing, this a general rule for OS and app SW). I will let a day go by to make sure no immediate major bug is present, then push patches manually.
Company's most often do these updates exclusively to fix highly specific scenario bugs (often not applicable to the average user) and the very important closing of newly identified security vulnerabilities. These updates will rarely change menus or features - the average user will likely not even notice an X.X.# update. It's the vulnerabilities that users should patch as soon as they're able to. Waiting doesn't provide a benefit while it leaves you open to a vulnerability that has an unknown propagation level -- not good.

I’m not sure what you’re saying here. I’m just saying that I go to General settings and check for update and it still says that 14.7 is the latest update for my iPhone 8. I’ve had to manually update it from my computer instead of from my iPhone. I’m not waiting, I just never had it propagate to my iPhone as an on-device update. So hope that clarifies for you.
It’s updating now, but could only do it from my Mac by connecting the cable.

Apologies, completely my mistake. I misread your post.

Glad you got it updated.

ArchStanton said:

skippingrock said:

ArchStanton said:

skippingrock said:

I still don’t see 14.7.1 in my updates.

You have to do what you have to do but it's very important to install patches (this is not an Apple thing, this a general rule for OS and app SW). I will let a day go by to make sure no immediate major bug is present, then push patches manually.
Company's most often do these updates exclusively to fix highly specific scenario bugs (often not applicable to the average user) and the very important closing of newly identified security vulnerabilities. These updates will rarely change menus or features - the average user will likely not even notice an X.X.# update. It's the vulnerabilities that users should patch as soon as they're able to. Waiting doesn't provide a benefit while it leaves you open to a vulnerability that has an unknown propagation level -- not good.

I’m not sure what you’re saying here. I’m just saying that I go to General settings and check for update and it still says that 14.7 is the latest update for my iPhone 8. I’ve had to manually update it from my computer instead of from my iPhone. I’m not waiting, I just never had it propagate to my iPhone as an on-device update. So hope that clarifies for you.
It’s updating now, but could only do it from my Mac by connecting the cable.

Apologies, completely my mistake. I misread your post.
Glad you got it updated.

It's all good. :smile:
Yup, it took a bit of time but it's installed okay. I use iMazing.
Cheers and be well!