A quick heads up for iOS 12 users: This week’s iOS update, version 12.4.1, includes an important fix for a security gaffe discovered in iOS 12.4. We highly recommend you perform the system update if you haven’t already—unless, of course, you’re trying to jailbreak your phone.
Specifically, iOS 12.4.1 patches a security vulnerability present on most modern iOS devices—anything from the iPhone 5S on up, the iPad Air on up, or the sixth-generation iPod Touch—that allowed hackers to jailbreak iOS devices using a vulnerability that Apple previously patched up in iOS 12.3, but then mistakenly let wild once again in iOS 12.4.
If you’re wondering why Apple would want to patch out the ability to jailbreak an iOS device, here’s why: This patch aims to prevent a serious issue wherein hackers could remotely jailbreak a device and then execute malicious code at the system level. Yes, this means you won’t be able to jailbreak your own devices after applying the update, but most iPhone and iPad owners probably aren’t interested in doing so nowadays. (Security > Cydia.)
To check for updates, open the Settings app on your iOS device, and then go to General > Software Update. You’ll be notified if an update is available; If there is, follow the on-screen guidance to install it. If not, then its likely you already installed it or your device updated automatically. Remember, the fix is applied in iOS version 12.4.1. You can check your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch’s OS version number by going to Settings > General > About.