On Monday, Apple released a quick security measure for the iPhone. A short time later, however, the company had to withdraw it again due to a mistake.
iOS 16.5.1 (a) was supposed to close a security hole in Apple’s WebKit browser engine. Instead, the update caused problems with numerous websites in the Safari browser. TECHBOOK explains what affected users can do.
Many websites can no longer be accessed on the iPhone
In social media and in the forum of the “MacRumors” news portal, users are reporting an error that occurs after installing iOS 16.5.1 (a). Accordingly, when opening websites such as Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp and Zoom, the error message “This web browser is no longer supported” appears.
A possible explanation for this error is that the update has changed the version of the Safari browser to an invalid label, as one user discovered. This prevents websites from verifying the browser version to ensure it is a safe environment.
In a rare move, Apple has now withdrawn the update to iOS 16.5.1 (a) for the time being. The company has not yet responded to TECHBOOK’s request as to when and whether the security measure should appear again. It is also conceivable that the patch will be integrated into the next iOS version 16.6, which is due to be released in the next few weeks.
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This is in the update to iOS 16.5.1 (a)
Although the security measure is currently no longer available as a download, many users have already been able to install it. Included in this is a patch, the one Vulnerability in Apple’s WebKit browser engine eliminated. WebKit is not only the basis of the Safari browser, but also of all other browsers available for the iPhone, including Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.
The vulnerability allows processing of web content, which may lead to arbitrary (malicious) code execution. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited. The company fixed the vulnerability through improved controls.
Fast security measures
In iOS 16, Apple is decoupling minor security patches from major iOS feature updates for the first time. Users can set whether they want to receive iOS updates or security measures in the settings. Both options can be selected and deselected independently of one another. Unlike iOS updates, Rapid Security Response (RSR) security measures are automatically installed immediately when the option is selected.
This is how to delete the faulty update from the iPhone
Anyone who has installed iOS 16.5.1 (a) and is affected by the browser error in Safari can simply remove the update again. This does not affect the functionality of the iPhone. Because this is a quick security measure that is decoupled from actual iOS updates.
In the settings under the path Generally>info>iOS version you will find a column with the installed security measure (if any). Simply click on the “Remove quick security measure” button in red writing – done.