Apple suddenly released iOS 15.7.9

A few days earlier, Apple also released iOS 16.6.1, the almost final version of iOS 16.

Apple says that iOS 15.7.9 provides important security fixes that could allow hackers to access the operating system through a PassKit (Wallet) image. This is part of the BLASTPASS exploit chain that was used to distribute NSO group's Pegasus spyware targeting devices owned by government officials, journalists, etc.

Because of the severity of this security vulnerability, security experts around the world recommend that Apple users update the patch on their devices as soon as possible.

You can download iOS 15.7.9 and iPadOS 15.7.9 on eligible iPhones and iPads via OTA by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Build number for this update is 2A2197.

Devices that support iOS 15.7.9:

1. iPhone 6s (all versions)
2. iPhone 7 (all versions)
3. iPhone SE (first generation)
4. iPad Air 2, iPad mini (4th generation)
5. iPod touch (7th generation)

For devices that support iOS 16, users should update directly to 16.6.1.