Bugfix Update: Apple releases iOS 26.4.1 and iPadOS 26.4.1
Apple released another iOS update overnight on Thursday. The manufacturer provides few details, but it likely concerns iCloud issues.
iOS 26 on three iPhones. Clearly visible here: The new Liquid Glass look.
(Image: Apple)
Apple released another iOS 26 update on Thursday evening. According to Apple, iOS 26.4.1 "fixes bugs" – the company provides no further details in the release notes for the update. It is also available for the company's tablets as iPadOS 26.4.1. Security-relevant bug fixes are not included in iOS 26.4.1 and iPadOS 26.4.1, according to Apple; there are no published CVE entries for the updates.
It synchronizes again
As has since become apparent, the updates appear to be important for at least two areas: the sync problems with iCloud, which have reportedly existed since iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4, and the Stolen Device Protection, which is actually enabled by default. With iCloud, Apple's CloudKit synchronization framework failed, causing devices to sometimes not upload their data or not retrieve it correctly from Apple's servers. macOS 26.4, on the other hand, was not affected.
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According to a discussion in Apple's developer forum, the problem has been known for several weeks and Apple was informed. An employee of the company also asked developers to try the update to ensure the fix works. This is apparently the case. Previously, changes made on the Mac were not reflected on an iPhone. This was also reproducible in the Mac & i editorial office with Apple's Notes app. According to user reports, synchronization with the Passwords app also failed intermittently, which could be very annoying.
Theft protection for companies active
A second change in iOS 26.4.1 appears to affect Stolen Device Mode, as mentioned. This has been available since iOS 17.3 but was only activated by default with 26.4. However, this apparently did not happen with managed devices, i.e., devices managed by administrators via MDM. With the update from iOS 26.4 to 26.4.1, the service is now apparently active.
The purpose of this is to prevent simply observing a person's passcode / iPhone PIN to take over entire Apple accounts. Theft mode requires additional biometric authentication when not in familiar locations – or always, if set up that way. Previously, there had been numerous reports of this form of attack. Whether other changes are also included in iOS 26.4.1 and iPadOS 26.4.1 remains unclear. The updates are supported from iPhone 11 or higher, iPad Pro 12.9 from the 3rd generation, iPad Pro 11 from the 1st generation, iPad Air from the 3rd generation, standard iPad from the 8th generation, and iPad mini from the 5th generation.
(bsc)
