iOS 14.8 update is out — why it's critical for iPhone users

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iOS 14.8 addresses zero-click exploits

iOS 14.8 update
iOS 14.8 update (Image credit: Future)

Apple announced that it's rolling out iOS 14.8 today. The update contains significant patches that address two critical security flaws: a CoreGraphics bug and a WebKit vulnerability.

This is the eighth major update to iOS 14 since it launched last fall. The last significant update, iOS 14.7, introduced MagSafe Battery Pack support for iPhone 12 users, as well as improvements to the HomePod timer, the addition of the new Apple Card Family feature, and more.

Apple rolls out iOS 14.8 update to fix security flaws

It's imperative that iPhone users update their devices with the new iOS 14.8 release because it rectifies a CoreGraphics, zero-click vulnerability. The Citizen Lab shed light on the security flaw after reporting that nine Bahraini activists had their iPhones successfully hacked with spyware between June 2020 and February 2021.

iPhone 12 mini

iOS 14.8 (Image credit: Future)

According to Apple's iOS 14.8 release notes, the bug allowed hackers to use maliciously crafted PDFs to execute code that could wreak havoc on one's device. The update also fixes a vulnerability concerning Apple's WebKit, the browser-rendering engine that runs Safari and other iOS browsers.

How to update to iOS 14.8

If you're anxious about patching these fixes, you can update your iPhone now by navigating to Settings > General > Software Update. It's also worth noting that Apple released a new version of iPadOS 14.

This should be the final iOS 14 update before we're finally introduced to iOS 15.

Kimberly Gedeon
Kimberly Gedeon

Kimberly Gedeon, holding a Master's degree in International Journalism, launched her career as a journalist for MadameNoire's business beat in 2013. She loved translating stuffy stories about the economy, personal finance and investing into digestible, easy-to-understand, entertaining stories for young women of color. During her time on the business beat, she discovered her passion for tech as she dove into articles about tech entrepreneurship, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and the latest tablets. After eight years of freelancing, dabbling in a myriad of beats, she's finally found a home at Laptop Mag that accepts her as the crypto-addicted, virtual reality-loving, investing-focused, tech-fascinated nerd she is. Woot!