Is upgrading to Apple iOS 18.3.1 the right decision for your iPhone?

The latest iPhone update is all about security, but there are no new features. These will be added to iOS 18.4 in the near future. I have a summary of what it contains and a recommendation on whether to update or not.

Who is the intended recipient and how do you obtain it?

All iPhones that can run iOS 18 are compatible with Apple iOS 18.3.1 This encompasses all iPhones starting with the iPhone XS and up, including the second- and third-generation iPhone SE models.

What It’s About

As is typical with smaller digit releases, this update has no new features. The main focus is on fixing bugs and addressing security issues. Apple rarely gives away more than it has to about exactly what is in the release about bug squishing, but it has been very specific about the security issue fixed in this new release.

Apple's iOS 18.3.1 security features

Accessibility is the main concern in this update. This means that a physical attack could disable USB Restricted Mode on an iPhone or iPad even while it is locked. In its support pages, Apple states that it is aware that it may have been used in an attack against specific individuals. Apple reports that the issue has been resolved with improved state management.

Since USB Restricted Mode has been on the iPhone for several generations, since as far back as iOS 11, Apple also released a new version of iOS 17 for phones that have not been updated to iOS 18—though the software support is for the same range of iPhones as iOS 18.

Initial Reactions

As is common, the initial reactions have been mixed. One user said that it fixed three bugs but added 10, while another said it had added improvements to the battery life, which is rare at this stage, so soon after an update. Existing issues, such as a problem in the keyboard with stickers hasn’t gone away for some users, and there were several users who took the opportunity to create a wishlist of improvements.

Initial Verdict: Update for Apple iOS 18.3.1.

Despite the lack of resolution for existing issues, there are no new problems being created here. Despite all these issues, the security problem this update is aimed at resolving is a serious one. It's a certainty that an update will be made.