March 27 to 31, 2023 Apple OS and Software Updates, Tips and Tech Articles

March 27th to 31st, 2023 News (later updates first) Go to Current News Page

Mac Upgrades/Mods | Storage | Video | Audio/Home Theater | Tips/OS Updates/WiFi

Xcode 14.3 Update
Info from App store for Xcode 14.3 (for macOS 13.0 or later).
Includes Swift 5.8 and SDKs for iOS/iPadOS 16.4, tvOS 16.4, watchOS 9.4, & macOS 13.3.
Also "Command Line Tools for Xcode v14.3 (729 MB)" released via Software Update.
Includes two security fixes (CVE-2023-27967 and CVE-2023-27945).

Updates to Pages, Numbers & Keynote apps for Mac and iOS/iPadOS
(Mac apps require macOS 12.3 or later. iOS apps require iOS/iPadOS 15.4 or later.)

Pages for Mac version 13.0.
- See what's new in Pages for Mac.
Numbers for Mac version 13.0
- See what's new in Numbers for Mac.
Keynote for Mac version 13.0
- See what's new in Keynote for Mac.
Pages for iOS/iPadOS version 13.0
- See what's new in Pages for iPhone and iPad.
Numbers for iOS/iPadOS version 13.0
- See what's new in Numbers for iPhone and iPad.
Keynote for iOS/iPadOS version 13.0
- See what's new in Keynote for iPhone and iPad.

Apple Studio Display Firmware Update 16.4 (includes security fix)
Info from what's new in firmware updates for Apple Studio Display.
(Article includes how to update the Studio Display's firmware.)

Studio Display Firmware Update 16.4

Adds support for in-field recalibration of the display using Pro Display Calibrator.
Enables specific color workflows that may require custom calibration by an in-house spectroradiometer.
Minor stability improvements.

This update also includes a security fix for CVE-2023-27965.
(Firmware version 16.4 requires macOS Monterey 13.3 or later.)

Safari 16.4 for macOS Monterey and Big Sur (security fixes)
Released via software update for Big Sur and macOS Monterey.
About Security fixes in Safari 16.4 lists 2 webkit CVEs fixed.
(These security fixes are included in the macOS Ventura 13.3 update.)
Also an article on WebKit Features in Safari 16.4.
Check for feedback in Apple's Safari discussion forum & related macOS forums.

macOS Ventura 13.3 (includes security fixes)
About the security content of macOS Ventura 13.3 lists 58 CVEs fixed.
Info from What's new in macOS Ventura for version 13.3:

"This update includes new emoji along with other enhancements, bug fixes, and security updates for your Mac.

21 new emoji, including animals, hand gestures, & objects now in emoji keyboard.
Remove background option in Freeform automatically isolates the subject in your image.
Photos duplicates album expands support to detect duplicate photos and videos in an iCloud Shared Photo Library.
Transliteration support for Gujarati, Punjabi, and Urdu keyboards.
New keyboard layouts for Choctaw, Chickasaw, Akan, Hausa, and Yoruba.
Accessibility setting to automatically dim video when flashes of light or strobe effects are detected.
VoiceOver support for maps in the Weather app.
Fix an issue where Trackpad gestures may occasionally stop responding.
Fixes an issue where Ask to Buy requests from children may fail to appear on the parent's device.
Addresses an issue where VoiceOver may be unresponsive after using the Finder.
Some features may not be available for all regions or on all Mac models."

Also what's new for enterprise in macOS 13.3 lists 9 changes/fixes.

You can check feedback in Apple's macOS Ventura discussion forum.
(Looked for feedback from M2 mini owners that have Wi-Fi problems.
Some had said macOS 13.2.1 helped, but others say macOS 13.3 still doesn't fix it.)

(VPN or 3rd party Security software may cause problems with OS or security updates.
Apple's article on VPN and 3rd party software issues & the usual advice on updates.)

macOS Monterey 12.6.4 Update (security fixes)
What's new in the updates for macOS Monterey for version 12.6.4 says:
"This update provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users."
What's new for enterprise in macOS Monterey for version 12.6.4 says it fixed an issue
where MDM Lock on a Mac with the Apple T2 Security Chip could be bypassed.
About the security content of macOS Monterey 12.6.4 lists 27 CVE's fixed.
You can check feedback in Apple's macOS Monterey discussion forum.

macOS Big Sur 11.7.5 Update (security fixes)
Apple's article on Security fixes in macOS Big Sur 11.7.5 lists 25 CVE's fixed.
(To get 11.7.5 instead of an Upgrade, check "Other Updates" in Software Update panel.)
If the update doesn't show, try checking from a Safe Mode boot.
You can check feedback in Apple's macOS Big Sur discussion forum.

M1 Mac mini updated to macOS 11.7.5 (from 11.7.4) using Safe Mode.
M1 mini firmware now 8422.100.650 after macOS 11.7.5 update.
Software Update listed macOS 11.7.5 as 2.63 GB (from 11.7.4)
and Safari 16.4 as 135.3 MB (from 16.3.1), but the actual
combined download was shown as 3.73 GB.

iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 Updates (bug and security fixes)

About the security content of iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 lists 33 CVEs fixed.
See About iOS 16.4 for list of changes/fixes.
- Apple's iPhone discussion forum.
About iPadOS 16.4for list of changes/fixes.
- Apple's iPad discussion forum.

tvOS 16.4 and watchOS 9.4 Updates (bug and security fixes)

Info from about tvOS Updates for version 16.4:
"This update adds Dim Flashing Lights, an accessibility option to automatically dim the display of video when flashes of light or strobe effects are detected, and includes performance and stability improvements."
- About the security content of tvOS 16.4 lists 14 CVEs fixed.
You can check feedback in Apple TV discussion forum.
Info from about watchOS Updates for 9.4:
"This update includes bug fixes and important security updates for your Apple Watch."
About the security content of watchOS 9.4 lists 16 CVEs fixed.
You can check feedback in Watch discussion forum.

iOS 15.7.4 and iPadOS 15.7.4 (security fixes)
(FYI: This update is not compatibile with devices that can run iOS16/iPadOS16.)

About the security content of iOS 15.7.4 and iPadOS 15.7.4
Fixes for 16 CVEs, including CVE-2023-23529 that "Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited".
About iOS 15.7.4 says:
"This update provides important security updates and is recommended for all users."
- Apple's iPhone discussion forum.
About iPadOS 15.7.4 says:
"This update provides important security updates and is recommended for all users."
- Apple's iPad discussion forum.

HomePod Software Update 16.4
Apple's about HomePod Software updates for version 16.4 says
"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/Products Related News and Updates (later first)

Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference returns June 5, 2023 (pr)
What's new in Shortcuts for macOS 13.3/iOS/iPadOS 16.4/watchOS 9.4 (Apple)
Apple Music Classical is here (pr)
Microsoft Office for Mac (365/2021/2019) version 16.71.2 (23032500)
- The March 28th v16.71.2 release notes lists more feature updates for Outlook.
- The March 21st v16.71.1 release notes lists Outlook feature updates.
- The March 14th v16.71 update had feature updates for Excel, PowerPoint, & Word
and security updates for Excel (CVE-2023-23399) & Office Suite (CVE-2023-24910).

Firmware Updates for LG OLED TVs and Playstation 5 (later first)

LG C2 & G2 OLED TVs Firmware Update 03.30.67
- with change note and firmware download pages.
- also tips on 2022 LG TV ADs, Promotion, and Privacy Settings.
Playstation 5 System Software version 23.01-07.01.01 (Sony USA)
- Fixes an issue in Game Library where content was displayed incorrectly under certain conditions.
LG Z2 OLED TV Firmware Update 03.30.66
- post includes update info and firmware download page.