Apple Releases iOS 15.4.1, iPadOS 15.4.1, macOS Monterey 12.3.1, watchOS 8.5.1, tvOS 15.4.1, and HomePod Software 15.4.1

By AppleVis, 31 March, 2022

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team

Apple has today released iOS 15.4.1, iPadOS 15.4.1, macOS Monterey 12.3.1, watchOS 8.5.1, tvOS 15.4.1, and HomePod Software 15.4.1.

Apple says that iOS 15.4.1 includes the following bug fixes:

  • Battery may drain more quickly than expected after updating to iOS 15.4
  • Braille devices may become unresponsive while navigating text or displaying an alert
  • Made for iPhone hearing devices may lose connection within some third-party apps

The macOS Monterey 12.3.1 release notes say that it fixes the following issues:

  • USB-C or Thunderbolt external display does not turn on when connected to Mac mini (2018) as a second display
  • Bluetooth devices, such as game controllers, may disconnect from your Mac after playing audio through some Beats headphones

‌macOS Monterey‌ 12.3.1 also addresses two vulnerabilities, including an AppleAVD issue that could allow an application to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges and an Intel Graphics Driver issue that could allow an application to read kernel memory.

The release notes for watchOS 8.5.1 simply state that the software brings “bug fixes and improvements.”

Outside of the major upgrade each year, tvOS updates are typically minor in scale with a focus on under-the-hood fixes and performance improvements. As Apple does not provide release notes for tvOS updates, we will have to wait and see if tvOS 15.4.1 does include any user facing changes. We will update this post if anything of note is discovered.

Apple says that HomePod Software version 15.4.1 “addresses an issue where some HomeKit-enabled accessories could fail to respond when controlled via Siri. This update also includes bug fixes for your HomePod.”

Apple has also announced today that the Business Essentials program is now available to small businesses, so it is likely that today's software releases put support in place for this.

If you discover any fixes, enhancements, or regressions during your use of today's software releases, please let us know by posting a comment below.

iOS 15.4.1 and iPadOs 15.4.1 are available via Over-the-Air Update (Settings > General > Software Update) via Finder on a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, or via iTunes on a PC or Mac with macOS Mojave or earlier.

More information on how to update the software on your device is available on this Apple Support page.

To install macOS Monterey 12.3.1, choose System Preferences from the Apple menu, click the Software Update preference pane, and click the Update Now button to begin the update process. If other updates are available, you can click "More info" to see details about them and select specific updates to install.

More information on how to update the software on your Mac is available on this Apple Support page.

watchOS 8.5.1 is available via Over-the-Air Update (Settings > General > Software Update) or by going to the Watch app on your iPhone and navigating to General> Software Update. To install the update, your Watch must be connected to its charger and have at least 50% battery power.

More information on how to update the software on your Apple Watch is available on this Apple Support page.

To install tvOS 15.4.1 on Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD, go to the Settings channel, then look for the System section near the bottom. From here, look for Software Updates under Maintenance, then select Update Software and Download and Install. Wait for your Apple TV to download the update. Don't disconnect or unplug your Apple TV until the update completes.

More information on how to update the software on your Apple TV is available on this Apple Support page.

By default, HomePod and HomePod mini automatically install new software updates, but you can manually check for updates in the Home app on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac. See this Apple support article for full instructions.

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Comments

By ftealucard on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 - 02:36

Hello all
I've noticed this hasn't been mentioned much lately and I don't think it's in the bug tracker because I understand only a few people were experiencing it. It was in a comment in one of the IOS 15, maybe the first? blog posts. It occurs in the recents screen and maybe others? If you double tap on a call, a random call in the list is called instead of the one you selected. For those that are experiencing it, is it still happening?
IMO this is pretty nasty for those that have run in to it, especially for beginners. Which is why I hesitate to update and I have told others not to as well.
Any info is greatly appreciated, thanks!

By Andy Lane on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 - 02:36

Unfortunately that one is still there, Its caused some very embarrassing over explanations.

By Chris Hill on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 - 02:36

No need to not upgrade and face security problems. Simply swipe on the item instead of choosing it, pick more info and you can call from there after checking to make sure you have the right one. I haven't had this particular problem in a long time, but then again, a lesson learned once...

By ftealucard on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 - 02:36

That works fine but unfortunately perhaps not for a beginning user. I am currently teaching someone who is almost 80 and she is doing great. Something like this though would frustrate her to no end.

By Chris Hill on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 - 02:36

When she's in a good mood, she does the calling fine.

By Travis Roth on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 - 02:36

Hi, As for the bug "Braille devices may become unresponsive while navigating text or displaying an alert" I used Braille this morning with improved results. I still experienced a delay in panning of about 20 seconds once in the Weather app. After that I used the News app for about 30 minutes reading headlines and several articles and there were no delays. This is an improvement for me over v15.4. I used an iPhone 13 Mini and Actilino display.

By Scott Davert on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 - 02:36

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team

They appear to be fixed for me. They released this just in time. I had already set up plans to return my SE 3 today but yesterday's release changed that.

By Ekaj on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 - 02:36

Hi all. I've not yet updated my iPhone, but will probably do that tonight or first thing in the morning. I just updated my Mac though. The new Siri voice sounds like she smokes 2 or more packs a day.

By Ramy on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 - 02:36

AM using siri to make calls, because VOice over focus is so bad, in this screen.
If we can send a good emial to Apple, it will be so helpful, cause i think, that apple accessibility team do not know anything about this issue

By Curtis Chong on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 - 02:36

I have a 12 Mini and am not experiencing this problem. I have turned on Motion on reduced motion and Prefer Cross Fade Transitions. I do not know if this is what makes the difference.

By Jo Billard on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 - 02:36

It's hard to keep focus from jumping all over the place. Because of the focus issues, I ended up buying the wrong ringtone. Hopefully they'll refund the purchase, especially since it was their fault.

By the grumpy apple on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 - 02:36

Whichen I go to software update, I am told that my ipad is up to date. I’m on 15.4. I even enrolled in the beta program, no dice. I am connected to wifi and I have plenty of storage. So why the heck can't I download the update. I’m not even seeing that it's available. I’ve soft reset and restart my device at least 20 times. This is really really really really ticking me off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can anybody at all give me ideas to fix this? Something that I haven’t tried before? I really want the update because I want the braille panning bug fixed!!!

By David Goodwin on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 - 02:36

You need to remove the beta program profile.

This isn't always necessary, but appears to be for this release.

By the grumpy apple on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 - 02:36

Forgot to mention, I tried to update before and after I installed the profile. The update is showing up on my phone just fine.

By the grumpy apple on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 - 02:36

Hello David,
Thanks for your suggestion. I removed the profile and was able to update successfully.