December 11, 2023 Apple operating system updates and related articles

December 11th to 15th, 2023 News and Apple Updates Go to Current News Page

Mac Upgrades/Repair | Storage | Video | Audio/Home Theater/TVs | Apple Updates/Tips/Wi-Fi

Xcode 15.1 released
Info from app store Xcode 15.1 (for macOS 13.5 or later):
"This update adds support for manually triggering Xcode Cloud workflows."
Includes Swift 5.9 & SDKs for iOS 17.2, iPadOS 17.2, tvOS 17.2, watchOS 10.2, and macOS Sonoma 14.2. (See linked app store page for more details on Xcode.)

Safari 17.2 for macOS Ventura and Monterey (security fixes)
The security fixes in Safari 17.2 article lists 2 WebKit CVE's fixed.
There's also an article on WebKit Features in Safari 17.2.
Browser updates can sometimes break addons or extensions.
Check feedback in Apple's Safari forum, macOS Ventura & macOS Monterey forums.
(I've never had Safari's website prefs set to allow notifications from websites, but if you're seeing fake warning popups in your Mac's upper right display area, uncheck the allow notifications in Safari's website preferences. See stop unwanted Notifications.)

macOS Sonoma 14.2 Update
Security fixes in macOS Sonoma 14.2 lists 39 CVEs fixed.
See what's new in the updates for macOS Sonoma for version 14.2 changes.
(You can check feedback in Apple's macOS Sonoma discussion forum.)

macOS Ventura 13.6.3 Update
Security fixes in macOS Ventura 13.6.3 lists 17 CVEs fixed.
What's new in the updates for macOS Ventura for version 13.6.3 says:
"This update provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users."
You can check feedback in Apple's macOS Ventura discussion forum.

M1 Mac Mini Firmware Updated
macOS 13.6.3 updated (2020) M1 Mini firmware to 10151.61.4 (was 10151.41.12 from 13.6.1).
On a M1 mini running macOS 13.6.1, software update listed macOS 13.6.3 as 1.5 GB,
but the actual download was 3.0 GB.

macOS Monterey 12.7.2 Update
About the security content of macOS Monterey 12.7.2 lists 18 CVEs fixed.
What's new in the updates for macOS Monterey for version 12.7.2 says:
"This update provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users."
You can check feedback in Apple's macOS Monterey discussion forum.

iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2 Updates

About the security content of iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2 lists 11 CVEs fixed.
About iOS 17.2 Update says.
This update introduces Journal, an all-new way to reflect on life's moments and preserve your memories. This release also includes Action button and Camera enhancements, as well as other features, bug fixes, and security updates for your iPhone.
(You can check feedback in Apple's iPhone discussion forum.)
About iPadOS 17.2 Update says:
This update introduces enhanced Autofill for PDFs and enhancements to Messages and Weather. This release also includes other features, bug fixes, and security updates for your iPad.
(You can check feedback in Apple's iPad discussion forum.)

iOS 16.7.3 and iPadOS 16.7.3

About the security content of iOS 16.7.3 & iPadOS 16.7.3 lists 8 CVEs fixed.
(Despite the listing in this article, this update won't appear on devices that are compatible with iOS 17/iPadOS 17. The same thing happened in the past with later iOS/iPadOS 15 updates that would not apply to devices that could run iOS/iPadOS 16.)
Info from about iOS 16.7.3 Update:
"provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users."
(You can check feedback in Apple's iPhone discussion forum.)
Info from about iPadOS 16.7.3 Update:
"provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users."
(You can check feedback in Apple's iPad discussion forum.)

watchOS 10.2 Update
Security fixes in watchOS 10.2 lists 9 CVEs fixed.
See about watchOS 10.2 for new features, improvements, and bug fixes.
(You can check feedback in Apple's Watch discussion forum.)

tvOS 17.2 Update
About the security content of tvOS 17.2 lists 8 CVEs fixed.
See about tvOS Updates for version 17.2 new features and improvements.
You can check feedback in Apple TV discussion forum.

HomePod Software Update 17.2
Info from about HomePod Software updates for version 17.2:
"This update includes performance and stability improvements."
Here's Apple's article on how to update HomePod.
(Our Tips page has a HomePod Apple Guides section.)
You can check for feedback in Apple's HomePod forum.

Apple News and Press Releases (later first)

Apple expands Self Service Repair and introduces new Diagnostics process
Apple spotlights the top apps and games of 2023 on the App Store
Siri can now help users access and log their Health app data
(with watchOS 10.2, iOS 17.2, and iPadOS 17.2)
Apple launches Journal, a new app to reflect on everyday moments and life's special events

Apple Support/How-To/Troubleshooting Article Updates (later first)

(How to) Use reference modes with your Apple Display
- Includes how to create custom reference modes specific to your needs.
(How to) Connect an Xbox wireless game controller to your Apple device
(How to) Connect a PlayStation wireless game controller to your Apple device
(How to) Move your Photos library to save space on your Mac
If you forgot your Mac login password
If you can't reset your Mac login password
List of iOS update and restore errors
Delete files or recover deleted files in the Files app on your iPhone or iPad
Identify the ports on your Mac
If your iPhone won't turn on or is frozen
If your iPad won't turn on or is frozen
Find out which macOS version your Mac is using
- added macOS Sonoma 14.2, Ventura 13.6.3, Monterey 12.7.2.
If your Mac starts up to an exclamation point in a circle
- The firmware of your Mac needs to be revived.
About Lockdown Mode

Topic based Apple Guides, Tips & Troubleshooting for Mac & iPhone/iPad/watch/tvOS Users.

Other News and Software Updates

(Dec. 15) Pixelmator Pro version 3.5.1 for macOS. (app store link)
v3.5.1 adds App Store templates & improves handling of HDR images with transparency.
(v3.5 added full HDR support, added support for macOS Sonoma and a few fixes.)
Microsoft Office for Mac (365/2021/2019) version 16.80 (23121017).
Dec. 12 version 16.80 release notes lists feature update/fixes for Outlook and Security Updates for Word (CVE-2023-36009) & Outlook (CVE-2023-35619).
(Dec. 12) Chrome 120.0.6099.109 Stable Channel Update for Mac/Linux (google)
- includes 9 security fixes.
(Dec. 12) Chrome 120.0.6099.119 for iOS/iPadOS 15.0 or later (App store)
- See linked App store page for changes and user reviews.
(Dec. 12) Geekbench ML 0.6
- See linked blog for info on changes and new features.

Recent Updates, Tips, DIY Upgrades and Repairs:
List of Updates, Tips, DIY Upgrades, Repair Articles, and more you may have missed. (Topics range from OS/software/driver updates & troubleshooting, to hardware upgrades and repairs.)

Previous News Archive Summary:

December 4th to 8th, 2023 News Archive

Safari Technology Preview 184.
Apple MainStage 3.6.6 Update.
Mac GarageBand version 10.4.10 update.
Windows Migration Assistant v2.4.5.0 (macOS Ventura & Monterey) Download.
AirPods Pro (2nd gen) Firmware Update 6B34.
Apple Clips app version 3.1.6.
Playstation 5 System Software version 23.02-08.40.00.
Playstation 4 System Software version 11.02.
Chrome 120.0.6099.71 Stable Channel Update for Mac/Linux .
Firefox for iOS/iPadOS 15 or later version 120.4.
Chrome 120.0.6099.101 for iOS/iPadOS.
Updated Apple Support/How-To/Troubleshooting Articles

For links to older news pages, see the Archives.

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