If it seems like just yesterday Apple released its iOS 14.5 update for iPhone, that’s because it basically was (at least as far as software is concerned). That didn’t stop Apple from releasing a new update for the iPhone just one week later.
That update is iOS 14.5.1. Unlike iOS 14.5 with its many new and interesting features, iOS 14.5.1 acts mainly as a security update. Apple states in the release notes that the update fixes an issue with iOS 14.5’s new App Tracking Transparency feature, where users who had the feature disabled wouldn’t see permission prompts from apps after re-enabling the feature in Settings.
App Tracking Transparency forces app developers to ask permission to track your activity across other apps and websites, so this patch ensures that you receive those permissions prompts you’re entitled to on the iOS platform, should you choose to use the feature. If you keep the option disabled, no apps can ask permission, so you won’t be tracked by any (well, mostly, according to Apple).
In addition to this fix, Apple says the 14.5.1 update “also provides important security updates and is recommended for all users.” While Apple doesn’t specify the other “important security updates,” we highly recommend you update if you have an iPhone. You don’t even need an iPhone that can run iOS 14, as older iPhones will see an update to iOS 12.5.3.
