Apple surprises us with iOS 12.4.2, watchOS 5.3.2, macOS Mojave 10.14.6 Supplemental 2

Today Apple released some security updates today that were quite unexpected. While Apple usually delays the details of the security issues so that we can get them installed first, the nature of how these were released suggests that they are extremely important.

iOS 12.4.2 is for devices that don’t support the new iOS 13, including iPhone 5s, 6, and 6 Plus, iPad Air, iPad Mini 2, iPad Mini 3, and the sixth-generation iPod Touch. We don’t know yet what this update includes fixes for, but Apple rarely releases updates for previous generations of iOS software, so we can assume that whatever it is it’s very important.

watchOS 5.3.2 is for Watch Series 1 and 2. The recent watchOS 6 was released for Series 3 and 4, but won’t be coming to Series 1 and 2 until later this fall. So whatever security fixes it contains must have been important enough that they couldn’t wait for watchOS 6.

macOS Mojave 10.14.6 Supplemental Update 2 was also released, again with little detail, but it does say something about preventing someone from remotely executing code on your computer.

To update

  • macOS: Click the Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update (third row)
  • iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch): Tap Settings > General > Software Update.
  • watchOS: First update your iPhone, then on your iPhone tap the Watch app > General > Software Update.