iOS 16.7.1 and iPadOS 16.7.1 bring security fixes addressing the same kernel vulnerability that iOS 17.0.3 and iPadOS 17.0.3 already patched on newer devices.
However, not all devices are compatible with iOS 17. For example, iOS 17 marked the end of the road for the iPhone X, which remains stuck on iOS 16. Thankfully, Apple occasionally releases maintenance updates for old operating systems that are no longer developed, and that’s what iOS 16.7.1 and iPadOS 16.7.1 are all about.
Does iOS 16.7.1 fix a kernel vulnerability?
You can install iOS 16.7.1 and iPadOS 16.7.1 on your iPhone and iPad if the devices are still running iOS 16 or cannot be updated to iOS 17. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to download and install an over-the-air update.
Apple hadn’t updated its support document, which details security updates for its software, so we don’t know what fixes these updates bring.
iOS 16.7.1 probably addresses a vulnerability in the system kernel that Apple says may have been actively exploited against versions of iOS before iOS 16.6.
Apple has patched it with iOS 17.0.3 and iPadOS 17.0.3.
Maintenance updates for older iOS versions include compatibility fixes, patches for significant vulnerabilities, security improvements and performance optimizations.
They do not bring any new features, however.