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Apple doesn’t patch older versions: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/10/apple-clarifies-security-update-policy-only-the-latest-oses-are-fully-patched/ https

Apple doesn’t patch older versions: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/10/apple-clarifies-security-update-policy-only-the-latest-oses-are-fully-patched/ https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/10/apple-clarifies-secu...

kobalsky 4y ago
they release some security updates for older phones and oses they probably do it in a best effort basis and some fixes are skipped when it's too much work to backport.
acdha 4y ago
That’s not what that says. Apple does not commit to updating older versions for EVERYTHING. That does not mean they don’t patch them at all - here’s the official verbiage: “Upgrades are released much less frequently than updates, and can take a while to install because of their large size. Also, older devices may not be eligible for upgrades because they don’t have the space or power to support the new software. Note: Because of dependency on architecture and system changes to any current version of macOS (for example, macOS 13), not all known security issues are addressed in previous versions (for example, macOS 12).” This matches what we’ve seen before where many updates come out for older versions but they’re not making Red Hat-style efforts to back port patches for ages rather then pushing people to make major upgrades.
taspeotis 4y ago
They are still maintaining iOS 12... https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213428 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213428 Published Date: August 31, 2022
- JohnTHaller 4y ago
  IIRC iOS 12 is a special case for a specific device set.
  - worthless-trash 4y ago
    Do you have any details on why this is the case, thats super interesting.
    - JohnTHaller 4y ago
      A bunch of devices lost support with iOS 13. I don't remember offhand but a quick search shows that the iPod Touch 6th Gen was discontinued the latest of the iOS 12 supported devices. It was sold through mid 2019. So I think that's why.
      - radicaldreamer 4y ago
        Same thing happened with iOS 16 and Ventura
- Fnoord 4y ago
  One would have to do a careful analysis whether iOS 12.x really gets all the security love it requires. Last time I checked (probably 1-2 years ago) the iPhone 5s (a backup smartphone I used) missed security updates.

kobalsky 4y ago

they release some security updates for older phones and oses they probably do it in a best effort basis and some fixes are skipped when it's too much work to backport.

acdha 4y ago

That’s not what that says. Apple does not commit to updating older versions for EVERYTHING. That does not mean they don’t patch them at all - here’s the official verbiage: “Upgrades are released much less frequently than updates, and can take a while to install because of their large size. Also, older devices may not be eligible for upgrades because they don’t have the space or power to support the new software. Note: Because of dependency on architecture and system changes to any current version of macOS (for example, macOS 13), not all known security issues are addressed in previous versions (for example, macOS 12).” This matches what we’ve seen before where many updates come out for older versions but they’re not making Red Hat-style efforts to back port patches for ages rather then pushing people to make major upgrades.

taspeotis 4y ago

They are still maintaining iOS 12... https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213428 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213428 Published Date: August 31, 2022

JohnTHaller 4y ago
IIRC iOS 12 is a special case for a specific device set.
- worthless-trash 4y ago
  Do you have any details on why this is the case, thats super interesting.
  - JohnTHaller 4y ago
    A bunch of devices lost support with iOS 13. I don't remember offhand but a quick search shows that the iPod Touch 6th Gen was discontinued the latest of the iOS 12 supported devices. It was sold through mid 2019. So I think that's why.
    - radicaldreamer 4y ago
      Same thing happened with iOS 16 and Ventura
Fnoord 4y ago
One would have to do a careful analysis whether iOS 12.x really gets all the security love it requires. Last time I checked (probably 1-2 years ago) the iPhone 5s (a backup smartphone I used) missed security updates.