Apple has released iOS 16.7.1 and iPadOS 16.7.1 updates, which are new software updates that can be downloaded on devices that are not able to run iOS 17, or those that have not yet been updated to the new operating system.
The range of devices that can run iOS 16.7.1 is the same as all other versions of iOS 16, meaning all iPhones released in late 2017 onwards. Specifically, the iPhone 8 and newer models.
The update can be downloaded and installed on eligible iPhones and iPads by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
iOS 16 updates are limited to security improvements and performance enhancements, while new features will be added to iOS 17 instead of iOS 16.
The iOS 16.7.1 update is likely to address the same kernel vulnerability that Apple fixed in iOS 17.0.3 last week. The vulnerability was exploited in iOS versions prior to 16.6, according to Apple.
