20th September 2024 – (San Francisco)The release of iOS 18, alongside its counterpart iPadOS 18, has generated mixed reactions among users as hundreds of millions of devices worldwide receive the update. While some iPhone and iPad owners celebrate improved battery life, others report significant declines in performance and battery health, raising concerns about the overall safety of the new software.
Following the update, users have noted a dramatic drop in battery runtime, with some experiencing a plummet in battery health. This has prompted discussions on social media platforms about potential flaws in the update. Experts advise patience, noting that initial battery drain is typical as devices perform background tasks post-update. Users can check their battery activity under Settings > Battery, where a label for Device Setup & Updates may indicate ongoing processes.
Despite these performance concerns, iOS 18 boasts over 30 security fixes, addressing critical vulnerabilities, particularly in WebKit—the engine behind Safari—and the iPhone operating system’s Kernel. Notable flaws include CVE-2024-44165 and CVE-2024-44191, which could allow unauthorized app access to Bluetooth, and CVE-2024-40863, which poses a risk of sensitive data leakage.
Sean Wright, head of application security at Featurespace, has highlighted the significance of these vulnerabilities, particularly those that enable connections to malicious Bluetooth devices. He recommends immediate updates for users still running the Beta version of iOS 18 to mitigate potential risks.
For those hesitant to upgrade, Apple has simultaneously released iOS 17.7, a security-focused update that includes 16 fixes, making it a safer alternative for users prioritising stability over new features.