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iOS 14.4 contains a new anti-independent repair message along with security upgrades

iOS 14.4 can use a new hardware message. (Source: YouTube)
iOS 14.4 can use a new hardware message. (Source: YouTube)
The latest version of iOS (14.4) is now available as a stable update. Installing it causes a new kind of "important hardware message" to pop up should an iPhone detect that its rear camera module has been unofficially replaced. Apple has also noted that the software includes patches for potentially actionable vulnerabilities.

iOS 14.4 is officially here, and may upgrade iPhones and iPads in some important ways. Unfortunately, one of them serves to remind users how difficult it is to repair one of these devices on their own. The update confers the ability to bring up a new warning that a rear camera module is "unverified" following a replacement, even if this has been done with original Apple parts.

The new "hardware message" joins others relating to display and battery replacements previously included in iOS, and are typically persistent within the UI unless repairs are carried out by Apple itself. The new update may also break Battery Health in an iPhone with a new battery.

On the other hand, 14.4 also puts a stop to an issue in which an independently-replaced rear iPhone camera could not use some modes such as portrait and panorama. These findings for the new iOS update have been reported by the device-refurbishment YouTuber Hugh Jeffreys, in a follow-up to a video in which he swapped various components between 2 12-series units to test their responses to independent repair.

Otherwise, Apple has released details on various new exploits (CVE-2021-1782, CVE-2021-1871 and CVE-2021-1870) that are reportedly workable on iPads or iPhones. However, iOS 14.4 is rated to patch them, leading to recommendations that the update should be installed as soon as possible. Otherwise, the update may address some issues, such as that the Fitness widget did not update activity levels properly.

iPhone 12 Pros: now available on Newegg

Source(s)

YouTube

MacRumors

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2021 01 > iOS 14.4 contains a new anti-independent repair message along with security upgrades
Deirdre O'Donnell, 2021-01-31 (Update: 2021-01-31)