Apple releases iOS 10.3.1 With Bug Fixes and Support for iPhone 5/5c

Just one week after releasing iOS 10.3, Apple on Monday has released a minor update to iOS 10.3, which released on March 27, 2017. The new iOS 10.3.1 software update comes with a build number of 14E304 and is recommended for all users.

According to Apple’s release notes, iOS 10.3.1 includes bug fixes and improves the security of your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. Aside from bug fixes, iOS 10.3.1 brings back support for 32-bit devices like iPhone 5 and iPhone 5c. Apple’s security document sheds more light on bug fixes, acknowledging that iOS 10.3.1 patches a bug that could let an attacker within range to execute arbitrary code on your device’s Wi-Fi chip.

To fix the Wi-Fi vulnerability, a stack buffer overflow was addressed through improved input validation. This particular vulnerability was discovered by Gal Beniamini of Google’s Project Zero.

The full change log of the update is as follows:

Available for: iPhone 5 and later, iPad 4th generation and later, iPod touch 6th generation and later

Impact: An attacker within range may be able to execute arbitrary code on the Wi-Fi chip

Description: A stack buffer overflow was addressed through improved input validation.

CVE-2017-6975: Gal Beniamini of Google Project Zero

The update is also available for all 32-bit iOS devices. The first and only beta of iOS 10.3.1 released last week did not have support for 32-bit devices which led to rumors that Apple will drop support for 32-bit iOS devices with the next point release of the OS. Thankfully, that is not the case but Apple will likely stop supporting 32-bit iOS devices with iOS 11.

iOS 10.3.0 came with 100+ bug fixes along with performance improvements and security enhancements. Some of the new features in iOS 10.3 include:

  • Apple File System
  • iCloud Analytics opt-in feature
  • Revamped iCloud section, now at the top of the Settings app
  • Siri and CarPlay improvements
  • Reduce Motion for websites
  • Settings toggle to disable in-app ratings and reviews
  • Hourly forecast in Maps
  • Navigation improvements for Mail’s Conversation View
  • Easier typing on Chinese and Japanese keyboards
  • Find My AirPods for locating a misplaced earbud in the Find My iPhone app

As mentioned, iOS 10.3.1 is available for iPhone 5 and later, the fourth-generation iPad and later and the sixth-generation iPod touch and later. iOS 10.3.1 is available as a free over-the-air update for all iOS 10 users, and it can also be downloaded via iTunes.

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