AKB2000014 Ongoing List of Apple Operating System Updates
Published May 30, 2023 rev 2.02
This is a regularly updated list of Apple operating system updates (grouped by device), along with guidance in determining when it is recommended to install each update. Instructions on updating each device are also included.
For users with multiple Apple devices (such as a Mac, iPhone, and iPad, etc.), I recommend waiting to install annual major operating system upgrades after Apple has released the major operating system upgrades for each device type. Occasionally, Apple will make major changes to how app data syncs across devices over iCloud, and waiting to upgrade devices after the major operating system upgrades have been released for each device type provides for the smoothest upgrade experience.
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macOS
macOS (formerly Mac OS X and OS X) is the operating system that powers Mac computers. Mac OS X Cheetah-OS X Lion installs operating system updates through Software Update in System Preferences. OS X Mountain Lion-macOS High Sierra installs operating system updates through the Mac App Store. macOS Mojave-Present has moved operating system update installs back through Software Update in System Preferences. Instructions for installing macOS updates can be found here.
Major operating system upgrades for all future macOS releases are delivered through an installer downloaded from the Mac App Store (prior to OS X Lion, operating system upgrades were delivered through a DVD). Mac OS X Cheetah-OS X Mountain Lion named major operating system releases after large cats. OS X Mavericks to the present version of macOS are named after California locations. Major versions are released once a year.
General recommendations for installing macOS upgrades:
- When a major operating system upgrade is released (such as macOS Catalina 10.15 in October), it is generally recommended to wait and install the upgrade after its first minor update is released (in this case, 10.15.1).
- When a minor update to a major operating system version is released (for Catalina, that would be 10.15.1, 10.15.2, 10.15.3, etc.), it is generally recommended to wait a few days after the update has been released before installing it to ensure no major issues have been noted. I generally install such updates on the Friday after release to give myself the weekend to further test and ensure my Mac is working as should from the update before the following week.
- When an update marked Supplemental Update or Security Update is released, it is generally safe to install these shortly after the update is released, although I generally follow the same schedule and install such updates on the Friday after release. Some Security Updates are folded into minor updates instead of being released as separate updates.
Current Version: macOS Ventura 13.4, May 18, 2023 Security content of macOS Ventura 13.4. Information on AppleInsider, 9TO5Mac, MacRumors, and MacWorld.
Rapid Security Response Version: macOS Ventura 13.3.1 (a), May 1, 2023 Information on AppleInsider, 9TO5Mac, and MacRumors.
Previous Version: macOS Ventura 13.3.1, April 7, 2023 Security content of macOS Ventura 13.3.1. Information on AppleInsider, 9TO5Mac, MacRumors, and MacRumors.
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Current Version: macOS Monterey 12.6.6, May 18, 2023 Security content of macOS Monterey 12.6.6. .
Previous Version: macOS Monterey 12.6.5, April 10, 2023 Security content of macOS Monterey 12.6.5. Information on MacRumors and AppleInsider.
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Current Version: macOS Big Sur 11.7.7, May 18, 2023 Security content of macOS Big Sur 11.7.7. .
Previous Version: macOS Big Sur 11.7.6, April 10, 2023 Security content of macOS Big Sur 11.7.6. Information on MacRumors and AppleInsider.
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Current Version: macOS Catalina 10.15.7 Update 2022-005, July 20, 2022. Security content of Catalina 10.15.7 Update 2022-005.
Previous Version: macOS Catalina 10.15.7 Update 2022-004, May 16, 2022. Security content of Catalina 10.15.7 Update 2022-004. Information on AppleInsider.
A list of older previous versions of Mac OS X, OS X, and macOS is available here.
Occasionally, certain Macs will also require a firmware update. These updates are usually included in a minor update or a Supplemental update. While firmware updates are generally safe to install (and Macs generally need the firmware update to resolve an issue), occasionally a firmware update can cause issues, so it is recommended to read up on firmware updates before installing them to ensure it is safe to proceed. This article provides general instructions concerning Mac firmware updates. The most common firmware updates have been SMC firmware updates.
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iOS
iOS (formerly iPhone OS until iOS 4) is the operating system that powers iPhones, iPod Touches, and iPads (up until iOS 12. iOS 13 offers a variant for iPads known as iPadOS). Updates can either be installed wirelessly using Software Update in Settings (iOS 5 or later), or through iTunes (in macOS Catalina, iTunes iOS device management is being replaced by device management through the Finder that will mirror the functionality of iTunes). Instructions for installing iOS updates are available here. Major versions are released once a year with successive version numbers.
General recommendations for installing iOS updates:
- When a major operating system upgrade is released (such as iOS 13), it is generally recommended to wait and install the update after its first minor update is released (in most cases, that would be a 0.1 update such as iOS 13.0.1, but it seems for iOS 13, Apple is folding such updates into iOS 13.1).
- When a minor bug fix update is released (such as iOS 12.4.1), it is generally safe to install these shortly after the update is released, although I generally wait and install such updates on the Friday after release to give myself the weekend to further test and ensure my iOS devices are working as should from the update before the following week.
- When a minor feature update is released (such as iOS 12.4 or iOS 13.1), it is generally safe to install these shortly after the update is released, although I generally wait and install such updates on the Friday after release to give myself the weekend to further test and ensure my iOS devices are working as should from the update before the following week. I have occasionally encountered an issue with minor feature updates causing an issue I would need to self-resolve or need resolved in a successive minor bug fix update.
Current Version: iOS 16.5, May 18, 2023 iPhone 8 and later. Security content of iOS 16.5. Information on MacRumors, 9TO5Mac, 9TO5Mac, and AppleInsider.
Rapid Security Response Version: iOS 16.4.1 (a), May 1, 2023 iPhone 8 and later. Information on MacRumors, 9TO5Mac, and AppleInsider.
Previous Version: iOS 16.4.1, April 7, 2023 iPhone 8 and later. Security content of iOS 16.4.1. Information on MacRumors, MacRumors, 9TO5Mac, and AppleInsider.
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Current Version: iOS 15.7.6, May18 , 2023 iPhone 6S, 7, and SE-1. Security content of iOS 15.7.6.
Previous Version: iOS 15.7.5, April 10, 2023 iPhone 7 and earlier. Security content of iOS 15.7.5 Information on AppleInsider, 9TO5Mac, and MacRumors.
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Current Latest Version: iOS 14.8.1, October 26, 2021 Security content of iOS 14.8.1. Information on AppleInsider, 9TO5Mac, and MacRumors.
iOS 13 Device Compatibility is available here.
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Current version iOS 12.5.7, January 23, 2023. Security content of iOS 12.5.7. For iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus. Information on MacRumors and tidbits.
Previous version iOS 12.5.6, August 31, 2022. Security content of iOS 12.5.6. For iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus. Information on MacRumors and AppleInsider.
More details on iOS 12.4.3 for iPhone 5
iOS 12 Device Compatibility is available here.
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iPadOS
Beginning with iOS 13, Apple has released a variant for iPads known as iPadOS. Updates can either be installed wirelessly using Software Update in Settings, or through iTunes (in macOS Catalina, iTunes iOS device management is being replaced by device management through the Finder that will mirror the functionality of iTunes). Instructions for installing iPadOS updates are available here. Major versions are released once a year with successive version numbers.
General recommendations for installing iPadOS updates:
- When a major operating system upgrade is released (such as iPadOS 13), it is generally recommended to wait and install the update after its first minor update is released (in most cases, that would be a 0.1 update such as iPadOS 13.0.1, but we are not sure how Apple is going to handle the first minor update to iPadOS 13 yet).
- When a minor bug fix update is released (such as iPadOS 13.0.1, if released), it is generally safe to install these shortly after the update is released, although I generally wait and install such updates on the Friday after release to give myself the weekend to further test and ensure my iPad is working as should from the update before the following week.
- When a minor feature update is released (such as iPadOS 13.1, if released), it is generally safe to install these shortly after the update is released, although I generally wait and install such updates on the Friday after release to give myself the weekend to further test and ensure my iPad is working as should from the update before the following week. I have occasionally encountered an issue with minor feature updates causing an issue I would need to self-resolve or have need resolved in a successive minor bug fix update.
Current Version: iPadOS 16.5, May 18, 2023 iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 5th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later. Security content of iPadOS 16.5. Information on MacRumors, 9TO5Mac, 9To5Mac, and AppleInsider.
Previous Version: iPadOS 16.4.1, April 7, 2023 iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 5th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later. Security content of iPadOS 16.4.1. Information on MacRumors.
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Current Version: iPadOS 15.7.6, May 18, 2023 Security content of iPadOS 15.7.6
Previous Version: iPadOS 15.7.5, April 10, 2023 Security content of iPadOS 15.7.5 Information on AppleInsider, 9TO5Mac, and MacRumors.
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Current Latest Version: iPadOS 14.8.1, October 26, 2021 Security content of iPadOS 14.8.1. Information on AppleInsider, 9TO5Mac, and MacRumors.
iPadOS 13 Device Compatibility is available here.
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Current version iPadOS 12.5.7, January 23, 2023. Security content of iPadOS 12.5.7. For iPad Air, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, and iPod touch (6th generation) Information on MacRumors and tidbits.
Previous version iPadOS 12.5.6, August 31, 2022. Security content of iPadOS 12.5.6. For iPad Air, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, and iPod touch (6th generation) Information on MacRumors and AppleInsider.
Previous Versions (still on previous iOS branding): iOS 12.5.5, September 23, 2021
iOS 12 Device Compatibility is available here.
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watchOS
watchOS is the operating system that powers Apple Watches. Updates can either be installed through the Watch app on a paired iPhone or wirelessly using Software Update in Settings (future updates installed after installing watchOS 6 or later). Instructions for installing watchOS updates are available here. Major versions are released once a year with successive version numbers.
General recommendations for installing iOS updates:
- When a major operating system upgrade is released (such as watchOS 6), it is generally recommended to wait and install the update after its first minor update is released (such as watchOS 6.0.1).
- When a minor bug fix update is released (such as watchOS 6.0.1), it is generally safe to install these shortly after the update is released, although I generally wait and install such updates on the Friday after release to give myself the weekend to further test and ensure my Apple Watch working as should from the update before the following week.
- When a minor feature update is released (such as watchOS 6.1), it is generally safe to install these shortly after the update is released, although I generally wait and install such updates on the Friday after release to give myself the weekend to further test and ensure my Apple Watch working as should from the update before the following week.
Current Version: watchOS 9.5.1 for Apple Watch series-4 and later, May 30, 2023. This update has no published CVE. Information on MacRumors, 9TO5Mac, and AppleInsider.
Previous Version: watchOS 9.5 for Apple Watch series-4 and later, May 18, 2023. Security content for watchOS 9.5. Information on MacRumors, 9TO5Mac, and AppleInsider.
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Current Version: watchOS 8.7.1 for Apple Watch series-3 and later, Aug 17, 2022. This update has no published CVE entries. Information on MacRumors and AppleInsider.
Previous Version: watchOS 8.7 for Apple Watch series-3 and later, May 16, 2022. Security content for watchOS 8.7. Information on AppleInsider, and MacRumors.
Previous Version: watchOS 8.4.1 for Apple Watch series-4 and later, Feb 1, 2022. This update has no published CVE entries. Information on AppleInsider, and MacRumors, and 9TO5Mac.
Previous Version: watchOS 8.1.1 for Apple Watch series-7, November 18, 2021. This update has no published CVE entries. Information on AppleInsider, 9TO5Mac, and MacRumors.
watchOS 5.3.9 is available for Series 4 connected to older iOS devices not receiving iOS 13 INSTALL.
Previous Versions: 6.2.9 (Apple Watch Series 1 and Series 2) INSTALL
watchOS 5 (and later) isn’t compatible with first generation Apple Watch.
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tvOS
tvOS is the operating system that powers the fourth-generation Apple TV (Apple TV HD) and later (previous Apple TV models used custom Apple TV software based on a variant of iOS). Updates can be installed wirelessly using Software Update in Settings. Instructions for installing tvOS updates are available here. Major versions are released once a year with successive version numbers.
General recommendations for installing tvOS updates:
- When a major operating system upgrade is released (such as tvOS 13), it is generally safe to install these shortly after release (as fewer issues tend to occur with Apple TV compared to other Apple devices). I generally install these on the Sunday after their release since I am generally watching some content on Apple TV over the weekend, and I initiate the update when I am finished watching content on Apple TV.
- When a minor bug fix update is released (such as tvOS 13.0.1), it is generally safe to install these shortly after release. I generally install these on the Sunday after their release since I am generally watching some content on Apple TV over the weekend, and I initiate the update when I am finished watching content on Apple TV.
- When a minor feature update is released (such as tvOS 13.1), it is generally safe to install these shortly after release. I generally install these on the Sunday after their release since I am generally watching some content on Apple TV over the weekend, and I initiate the update when I am finished watching content on Apple TV.
Current Version: tvOS 16.5 May 18, 2023. Security content of tvOS 16.5. Information on Mac Rumors, AppleInsider, and 9TO5Mac.
Previous Version: tvOS 16.4.1 April 12, 2023. This update has no published CVE entries. Information on Information on Mac Rumors and 9TO5Mac.
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Current Version: tvOS 15.6 July 20, 2022. Security content of tvOS 15.6. Information on AppleInsider, and MacRumors.
Previous Version: tvOS 15.5.1 May 25, 2022. This update has no published CVE entries. Information on AppleInsider, 9TO5Mac, and MacRumors.
Occasionally, the Siri remote on the fourth-generation Apple TV (Apple TV HD) or later will require a firmware update. These are generally handled automatically after tvOS updates, although occasionally it is recommended to check for these firmware updates manually. These instructions explain how to manually update the Siri remote firmware. Siri remote firmware updates are safe install shortly after release (and it is generally recommended they are installed shortly after release).
Special Updates to Previous Versions:
Apple TV Software 7.6.1 (for third generation Apple TV) INSTALL
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AirPods
The firmware on AirPods should update automatically, especially after iOS updates. However, occasionally it is recommended to check for these firmware updates manually. These instructions explain how to manually check AirPods firmware. AirPod firmware updates are safe install shortly after release (and it is generally recommended they are installed shortly after release).
Current Firmware Version 5E135 for: AirPods 2nd & 3rd gen, AirPods Pro 1st & 2nd gen, AirPods Max. May 3, 2023.
Previous Firmware Version 5E133 for: AirPods 2nd & 3rd gen, AirPods Pro 1st & 2nd gen, AirPods Max. Version 6.8.8 for AirPods 1st gen. April 11, 2023. Release notes. Information on MacRumors.
AirPods 3D printed USB-C case, July 20, 2022. Information on MacRumors, AppleInsider, and 9TO5Mac.
Previous Firmware Version 4E71 for: Airpod-2, AirPod Pro, AirPod Max, and AirPod-3, May 10, 2022. Information on 9TO5Mac and MacRumors.
Previous Firmware Version: AirPod 3 virsion 4.2 firmware 4C170 for all models. Auto install January 19, 2022. Information on AppleInsider and MacRumors.
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HomePod
The software on the HomePod should update automatically. However, occasionally it is recommended to install these software updates manually. These instructions explain how to manually update the software on the HomePod. HomePod software updates are likely safe to install shortly after release (as fewer issues tend to occur with the HomePod compared to other Apple devices).
Current Version: HomePod Software 16.5 May 18, 2023. Information on Mac Rumors and AppleInsider.
Previous Version: HomePod Software 16.4.1 April 12, 2023. Information on Mac Rumors and 9TO5Mac.
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Current Version: HomePod Software v15.6 July 20, 2022. Information on MacRumors, and AppleInsider.
Previous Version: HomePod Software v15.5.1 May 25, 2022. Information on MacRumors, 9TO5Mac, and AppleInsider.
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AirPort
AirPort wireless routers have been discontinued by Apple. However, occasionally there has been a firmware update released for AirPort wireless routers. These firmware updates are generally installed automatically. However, here are the the instructions explaining how to manually update the firmware on AirPort wireless routers. Firmware updates should be installed shortly after release to improve the security and reliability of AirPort wireless routers.
Due to the fact that Apple has discontinued AirPort wireless routers, users should slowly begin transitioning to another brand wireless router for security updates. I have personally had good experience with Cisco Small Business routers, and I have had excellent wireless performance with Cambium Networks business routers and wireless access points. I have also had decent wireless performance with Asus wireless routers.
The latest firmware available for AirPort Extreme AC models is:
7.9.1 INSTALL
The latest firmware available for AirPort Express N models is:
7.8 INSTALL
A list of the latest firmware for older AirPort models is available here.
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Security Updates
Apple occasionally releases security updates for its various devices. These are generally included in major operating system upgrades or minor operating system updates. A list of all recent Apple security updates is available here.