Apple has published iOS and iPadOS 15.4.1, a software update that addresses many accessibility issues, enhances security and resolves a power drain issue that affected certain users’ phones and iPads following the update to iOS 15.4.
It is unknown how prevalent the issue was, but earlier this month, the Apple Support Twitter account advised consumers complaining about battery loss that it was “common for your apps and functions to require adjustment for up to 48 hours following an upgrade.” Even so, more than two weeks after the update’s release, it’s not difficult to locate current posts complaining about poor battery life. Hopefully, the update will address those concerns – iOS 15.4 has the extremely useful feature of being able to use Face ID while wearing a mask, and it would be a shame if consumers were afraid to update due to battery concerns.
Even if your battery has been functioning normally, it may be worthwhile to update rather soon. Apple claims that iOS 15.4.1 (together with macOS Monterey 12.3.1, which was also published today) contains security fixes for vulnerabilities that might have been exploited in the wild. Unfortunately, this type of warning has become rather common in Apple’s security advisories — and while delaying upgrades forever has never been a good idea, it appears to be more critical than ever to ensure your devices are running the most recent version of their operating system.
To do a software update on your iPhone, navigate to Settings > General > Software Update. To perform a software update on your Mac, navigate to System Preferences > Software Update.
