When it When it comes to iPhones (or any Apple device, for that matter) our advice has always been to update to the latest software version available. Apple traditionally ties their security patches with their software updates, meaning you have to update in order to fully protect your device.
This practice is fine for anyone who wants to update their devices to the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS; but if you have an older device, or you simply want to wait out any bugs with the new software, you had to choose between keeping your iPhone on the older software, or keeping your iPhone fully protected.
Luckily, this choice no longer exists. With the September release of iOS 15, Apple decided to split security patches and iOS updates in two. When a new update is available, you’ll see it appear in your Software Updates settings page. However, you can choose to ignore it, and the update will live there quietly. The next time Apple releases a security update, however, you’ll be able to install that by itself, leaving the software update alone as usual.
This change is a welcome one for those who don’t want to update their devices to new software right away. While Android users are already familiar with this practice, anbd it might have arrived late, we’re happy Apple finally brought this feature to their ecosystem.
