iOS 17.3.1—Surprise New iPhone Update Is Suddenly Here

Apple has just released iOS 17.3.1, a surprise iPhone update containing an important fix. A couple of days ago, it emerged that Apple was releasing the iOS 17.3.1 update, which I predicted could come as soon as this week. Just two weeks after the launch of iOS 17.3, MacRumors detected that Apple was testing a new software version, iOS 17.3.1.

It looks like I was right about timing—Apple issued iOS 17.3.1 on a Thursday, which is unusual for the iPhone maker.

So what’s in the iOS 17.3.1 release? According to the release notes, the fixes contained in iOS 17.3.1 include a bug that could cause text to unexpectedly duplicate or overlap while typing.

What’s In The iOS 17.3.1 Update?

There, of course, could be more to the iOS 17.3.1 update. Apple indicates multiple bugs have been squashed in iOS 17.3.1, so perhaps this addresses any battery drain issues some people are having in iOS 17.3.1.

There are no security fixes mentioned as part of the iOS 17.3.1 update, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any. I’ll keep an eye out for any details and update this story if I hear any more.

Apple’s iOS 17.4 update is still about a month away, so it’s possible the iPhone maker will release another upgrade before the end of February.

The last upgrade that arrived in between major iPhone updates was iOS 17.2.1—the exact contents of which still remains a mystery.

However, before that came iOS 17.1.2, an emergency update fixing security issues already being used in real-life attacks.

At the current time, it’s more important than ever to keep your iPhone secure. Apple’s popular device is vulnerable to multiple security threats—including spyware, which can get onto iPhones via an iMessage that you don’t even notice. These so-called “zero-click” attacks are usually very targeted, but Apple is very good at staying ahead of them.

Should I Update To iOS 17.3.1?

Apple’s iOS 17.3.1 update has only just arrived, but I have applied it to my iPhone already. If it only contains bug fixes, updating to the new software won’t be that urgent. However, there is always the possibility a security fix is included.

To apply iOS 17.3.1 now, go to your iPhone Settings > General > Software Update, or keep checking my Forbes page for updates.

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Updated on 02/08 at 14:10 EST. This article was first published on 02/08 at 08:31 EST. Updated to reflect that iOS 17.3.1 has arrived, including bug fixes.

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