Apple iOS 15.3.1 Release: Should You Upgrade?

Apple iOS 15.3.1 and iPadOS 13.5.1 have launched and they bring an urgent fix for a critical zero-day hack which impacts every supported model of iPad and iPhone. But does it break more than it fixes? Here’s everything you need to know.

Tip: bookmark this page because I will keep it up to date if/when new problems are found. I will deliver my final verdict in a week.

02/18 Update: Final verdict below

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Who Is It For?

Apple iOS 15.3.1 and iPadOS 15.3.1 have been released for all iOS 15-compatible devices, this means the iPhone 6S (2015) and newer and iPad Mini 4 (2015) and newer. iPhone and iPad owners, you should be automatically prompted to upgrade but the update can also be manually triggered by navigating to Settings > General > Software Update. If you are running newer beta software (see ‘The Road Ahead’ section at the end), you must unenroll your device for the update to appear.

Note: this guide is not focused on older iOS updates or iPadOS, but I will touch upon pertinent issues in these guides.

The Deal Breakers

Jailbreakers, it is what it is. Both Unc0ver and checkra1n have yet to crack iOS 15, so iOS 15.3.1 is off limits to you. That said, I would consider rethinking your priorities at this stage.

For everyone else, the first 24 hours look promising. Complaints on social media are virtually nil with only very isolated reports of Bluetooth connectivity bugs and WiFi stability issues. The former has been an ongoing issue since iOS 15 launched, particularly car connectivity, but it does appear to be improving for most.

So What Do You Get?

Apple’s official release notes undersell the big news of iOS 15.3.1 simply stating:

“iOS 15.3.1 provides important security updates for your iPhone and fixes an issue that may cause Braille displays to stop responding.”

While this is important, the headline news is revealed on the update’s official security page: it patches a zero-day vulnerability (CVE-2022-22620) which Apple admits “may have been actively exploited” by hackers. The hack affects iPads, iPhones and Macs with Apple also releasing an emergency macOS Monterey 12.2.1 update for the latter.

Apple iOS 15.3.1 Verdict: Upgrade

Zero-day hacks are the most dangerous form of security breach, so I would recommend all iPhone, iPad and Mac users update to the new releases. This is backed up by very low numbers of bug and stability complaints from upgraders so far, though I will continue to monitor the situation.

Note: for those still hesitant to upgrade, bookmark this guide. I will continue to update it with any relevant flaws or features I find and you will receive my final verdict here in one week.

02/18 Final verdict: One week on iOS 15.3.1 looks like another very solid upgrade following the good work of iOS 15.3. I have seen very few complains other than some concerns regarding Bluetooth connectivity in cars, though that carries over from other iOS 15 releases and therefore has little bearing for the major of users. Today Apple also stopped signing iOS 15.3, meaning users can no longer downgrade to it — a sign of confidence in the new release. I echo that confidence. iOS 15.3.1 is an important security update and a stable one too. Upgrade.

The Road Ahead

Apple iOS 15.4 beta 2 was released this week. It is a big, feature-rich update which adds support for Face ID while wearing a mask (without an Apple Watch), 112 new emojis, improved support for game controllers and the long-awaited arrival of Universal Control among others. Apple needs to get this one right.

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