Apple releases iOS 18.4.1 with warning to update immediately

iOS 18.4.1 Update

Apple has just released the iOS 18.4.1 update, and along with it, it is advising users to update their iPhones right now. The reason is that iOS 18.4.1 can patch two serious security vulnerabilities on iPhones, both of which are being exploited by hackers in real-world attacks.

Apple has not released many details about what is being fixed in iOS 18.4.1. This policy is intended to give users enough time to update their devices before details of the vulnerability are known and exploited by many attackers.

The first vulnerability patched in iOS 18.4.1 is an issue in the iPhone's CoreAudio component, identified as CVE-2025-31200 and reported by Apple and the Google Threat Analysis Group.

Apple warns on its support page that processing an audio stream in a specially crafted media file with malicious intent could lead to arbitrary code execution.

"Apple has received reports that this vulnerability may have been exploited in a highly sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals on iOS," the iPhone maker added.

The second bug patched in iOS 18.4.1 is a vulnerability in RPAC, identified as CVE-2025-31201 and reported by Apple itself. Apple said the vulnerability could allow an attacker with arbitrary read and write capabilities to bypass Pointer Authentication. The company added that the issue could also have been exploited in a 'highly sophisticated attack.'

The iOS 18.4.1 update comes just two weeks after iOS 18.4, which patched 62 different security vulnerabilities, further highlighting the importance of upgrading to the latest version.

Earlier in March, Apple also had to deal with another vulnerability being exploited in the iOS 18.3.2 update.

Why You Should Update to iOS 18.4.1 Immediately

Apple's iOS 18.4.1 is an emergency security update, released between major upgrades (like iOS 18.4 and iOS 18.5, which were expected in May). There's no corresponding iOS 17 update for older iPhone models, presumably because those operating systems aren't affected by the vulnerability. It's worth noting, however, that Apple is no longer releasing security patches for iOS 17 users if their devices are eligible to upgrade to iOS 18.

The fact that these vulnerabilities were fixed in a minor update (xx1) and that there are signs that they are being actively exploited further highlights the importance of this update, according to independent security researcher Sean Wright. 'So I would recommend that people update as soon as possible,' he said, but also reassured that 'in most cases, there is no need to panic.'

Indeed, while upgrading to iOS 18.4.1 is urgent, Apple says the vulnerabilities patched this time have been used in targeted attacks. The target groups are likely to be journalists, dissidents, government officials, and businesses in certain sectors. However, if details of the vulnerabilities become public, attackers could exploit them more widely.

Apple's iOS 18.4.1 also addresses a number of other bugs, including one that prevented wireless CarPlay connections on certain vehicles.

The iOS 18.4.1 update is available for the following devices:

1. iPhone XS and later
2. iPad Pro 13-inch
3. iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation or later
4. iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation or later
5. iPad Air 3rd generation or later
6. iPad 7th generation or later
7. iPad mini 5th generation or later

So what are you waiting for, go to Settings > General > Software Update and upgrade to iOS 18.4.1 now.

Update iOS 18.5

Apple officially released the first iOS 18.5 beta earlier this April. As the update cycle for iOS 18 is coming to a close and iOS 19 is set to be released in the next few months, iOS 18.5 brings only a few minor, but still noteworthy, improvements for iPhone users.

Mail App - More Flexible Custom Interface

In the Mail app on iOS 18.5, when you tap the three-dot icon in the upper-right corner, you'll see two new options brought out of the main interface including:

1. Enable/Disable Contact Photos
2. Enable/Disable Group By Sender

These two options have been available since iOS 18.4, but are hidden deep in Settings > Mail, making them difficult for many people to access.

iOS 18.5 makes customization quicker and more convenient, especially for those who want the Mail interface to return to the "traditional" style before iOS 18.

Of course, you can still tweak these two items in the Settings app, if you want to do things the old-fashioned way.

AppleCare information made easier to access

When you go to Settings > General > AppleCare & Warranty, you'll see a new banner with the AppleCare logo and the option to "Learn more about your warranty ." Previously, there was no banner displayed in this section.

In addition, when you go to your Apple ID account > select a device in your device list, AppleCare will appear, now you can:

1. View current AppleCare warranty details
2. Quick access to the "Manage Coverage" feature, if you have an AppleCare plan with auto-renewal

For the past three years, Apple has released iOS x.5 updates in the second week of May. It is likely that iOS 18.5 will also be released publicly in May, following Apple's traditional schedule. And this may be the last iOS 18 beta before iOS 19 launches in June.

Update iOS 18.4 features

iOS 18.4 is an important update for Apple in the current software cycle, marking many technological advances and user experience improvements. This update is especially focused on the launch of Siri supporting Vietnamese - a feature that Vietnamese users have been waiting for for 14 years since Siri appeared globally.

In addition, iOS 18.4 also brings a series of other improvements to Apple Intelligence, the Photos app, a new Food section on Apple News+, Vision Pro app for iPhone, Ambient Music and many other additional updates. We would like to send you detailed information about this version below, please scroll down and explore the official version of iOS 18.4.

Siri supports Vietnamese

The most prominent feature of iOS 18.4 for Vietnamese users is the introduction of Siri supporting Vietnamese. This is a big step forward to meet the needs of the Vietnamese user community, helping Siri understand and respond in its native language. To activate this feature, users just need to go to Settings > Siri (or Apple Intelligence & Siri) > Language > and select Vietnamese . Then you can choose 1 of 4 supported voices in the Voice section .

Siri in Vietnamese will support you with some basic functions such as calling, sending messages, looking up the weather, checking schedules and controlling smart home devices via HomeKit. In addition, Siri also integrates with typical applications in Vietnam such as Be and Momo, helping users to easily perform commands to book a car or transfer money by voice - although currently these commands still require users to use correct grammar.

Although there are still some limitations in the flexibility of commands, this is an important first step for Apple in localizing the virtual assistant for the Vietnamese market.

However, some Apple Intelligence features do not yet support Vietnamese in iOS 18.4; Apple promises to add Vietnamese support for this AI part by the end of 2025.

Other features and improvements in iOS 18.4

Besides Vietnamese Siri, iOS 18.4 brings many improvements and new features, specifically:

1. Priority Notifications uses AI to categorize and pin important notifications to the top of the lock screen, helping users focus on the most essential and important information.
2. Image Playground has been updated with a "Sketch" option, allowing users to create AI images in a hand-drawn style.
3. The App Store review summary feature has been improved, helping users quickly grasp community opinions about the app.
4. Apple Intelligence expands support for many new languages ​​such as Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, German, and English variants for Singapore and India. (Vietnamese was originally planned for this update but was delayed.)

Photos App

Updated the interface and added new filtering options for the photo collection, making it easier for users to sort, filter, and search for photos by album, date modified, or oldest/newest. Improved security for Hidden photos in the Photos app, especially when combined with Face ID, to prevent photos from being imported to other devices such as Mac or PC.

Added new filters and sorting options in "Media Types" and "Utilities", providing flexibility for managing large photo collections.

Apple News+ – New Food Section

Apple News+ adds a Food section with healthy food stories, restaurant reviews, and recipes.

The "Recipe Catalog" feature allows you to save your favorite recipes, and also provides step-by-step cooking instructions for users who subscribe to the service.

Vision Pro App on iPhone

iOS 18.4 introduced a dedicated Vision Pro app, which helps users find and download content for the Vision Pro virtual reality headset.

This app is automatically installed for users who have registered Vision Pro with an Apple account, and supports managing guest mode settings for Vision Pro from an iPhone or iPad.

Ambient Music – Ambient Music

1. The new Ambient Music feature provides quick access to relaxing sound categories like Sleep, Relax, Productivity, and Wellness.
2. Users can control audio via Control Center, Dynamic Island, or the 'Now Playing' widget, helping to create an audio space that suits each need.

Some other additional updates

1. Safari: Improved interface, recent search suggestions, more granular connection security, and a new design for App Store link previews.
2. Emoji: Add many new emoji characters.
3. Control Center: Improved display of camera and microphone usage indicators, brightness and sound toggles, and options for Focus.
4. Shortcuts: Add new actions to Maps, Safari, Reminders, Calendar, Apple TV, Books, Notes, Voice Memos, Weather, Messages, helping users change settings quickly.
5. App Store: Pause and resume app downloads along with improved user review summaries.
6. Apple Maps: Adds option to set preferred language.

Other changes: Support for Mac sign-in via iPhone/iPad, updated Wallet interface, HomeKit support for Matter-compatible robot vacuums, and improvements related to Mail, New system language, new Siri voice, Genmoji, voice input, photo album viewing, accessibility, and privacy.

iOS 18.4 is not only a mid-cycle update but also a testament to Apple's commitment to improving the user experience and expanding features globally. In particular, Siri's support for Vietnamese opens a new era for Vietnamese users, eliminating language barriers and affirming Apple's position in this market.

At the same time, a series of new features such as improved Apple Intelligence, updated Photos, the Food section on Apple News+ along with other additional features show that Apple is continuing to invest heavily in AI technology and ecosystem integration, to bring a more complete and seamless experience to users.

In the future, with further improvements such as expanding Vietnamese support for Apple Intelligence, improving Siri features and integrating many new technologies, Apple is expected to continue to maintain its leading position in the field of mobile technology, attract more new users and maintain the trust of the existing community.

David Pac

Update 25 May 2025