4 Reasons Not to Install iOS 16.7.4 & 11 Reasons You Should

Apple’s iOS 16.7.4 update could have a huge impact on your iPhone’s performance. While some iPhone users should install the software right now, others might want to wait before moving up from older versions of iOS 16.

iOS 16.7.4 is Apple’s latest iOS 16 upgrade and it’s available to download right now if you own an iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, an iPhone X, or a newer iPhone still running iOS 16. The software brings important fixes to these iPhone models.

The iOS 16.7.4 update requires a fairly small download if you’re moving your iPhone up from 16.7.3. It will be larger for those moving up from older versions of iOS. That’s because the features and fixes from the updates you skipped are baked into your version of the update.

Those of you dealing with issues on iOS 16.7.3 or an older version of iOS could see a huge turnaround after installing iOS 16.7.4. We’re already hearing about positive changes. That being said, we’re also hearing about various bugs and performance problems.

If you do run into an issue, note that you can’t downgrade your iPhone’s software back to iOS 16.7.3. Apple has stopped signing on the software. Apple has also stopped signing on older versions of iOS 16.

This means those of you having a great experience on iOS 16.7.3, and older versions of iOS, need to approach iOS 16.7.4 with a sense of caution. If you move from up from iOS 16.7.3 or older, you won’t be able to get back to your phone’s current version of iOS.

If you’re currently debating a move to iOS 16.7.4, allow us to walk you through the best reasons to install the software today and the best reasons to hang around on your current version of iOS 16 for a little bit longer.

Install iOS 16.7.4 for Better Security

1 / 15

If security is important to you, and you missed prior versions of iOS 16, think about installing Apple's iOS 16.7.4 update on your iPhone right away.

iOS 16.7.4 doesn't have any security patches on board, but again, you'll get the fixes and features from updates you missed when you upgrade.

iOS 16.7.3 delivered several security patches including one that patches up an issue with the Find My app.

iOS 16.7.2 brought several security patches to iPhone models still running iOS 16. Learn more about them here.

iOS 16.7.1 carried two important security enhancements including one that addressed a kernel vulnerability. You can learn more about the pair over on Apple's website.

iOS 16.7 had three security patches on board and you can learn more about them right here.

iOS 16.6.1 brought two important security patches to iPhone. If you're interested in what they patch up, here's Apple's guide.

The iOS 16.6 update delivered 16 security patches. For more information about the changes, check out Apple's rundown.

iOS 16.5.1 brought two security patches to iPhone users If you want to learn more, head on over to Apple's website.

The company's iOS Security Response 16.5.1 (c) update also included a security update and you can learn more about it right here.

iOS 16.5 brought a ton of security patches to the iPhone. You can find out more about them over on Apple's security site.

iOS 16.4.1 included two security upgrades . You can learn more about the pair right here.

Apple's iOS 16.4 update had a substantial number of patches on board. You can read about them in detail over on Apple's security site.

The iOS 16.3.1 update had three security patches on board including one for an actively exploited vulnerability. For more on the security contents of iOS 16.3.1, check out Apple's security page.

iOS 16.3 brought 10+ new security patches with it and you can learn more about all of those right here.

In addition, the software came with support for physical security keys for Apple ID. These will beef up your account security by requiring a physical security key as part of the two factor authentication sign in process. Learn more about the change right here.

If you skipped iOS 16.2, you'll get its changes with iOS 16.7.4. iOS 16.2 brought a ton of important security patches with it and you can dig into the details on Apple's security site.

The update also brought end-to-end encryption to iCloud, iMessage, iPhone backups, Notes, Photos, and more. If you want to learn more about it, head over to Apple's guide.

If you decided to missed iOS 16.1.2, you'll get its solitary security patch with your upgrade. Learn more about it right here.

If you skipped iOS 16.1.1, you'll get its security patches when you upgrade. You can learn more about them right here.

If you missed the iOS 16.1 update, it brought 19 security patches to the iPhone and you can learn about the particulars of those over on Apple's website.

If you failed to download iOS 16.0.3, it had one security patch on board, a fix for a potential exploit within the Mail app. For more about the fix, check out Apple's security site.

If you're still running iOS 15 your iPhone, you'll get a bunch of other patches when you upgrade.

iOS 16.0 brought a ton of security patches to the iPhone. If you're interested in the exact nature of these improvements, you can read about them over on Apple's security website.

In addition to those patches, iOS 16 brings some additional enhancements to privacy and security including Safety Check which, according to Apple, will help "people in domestic or intimate partner violence situations review and reset the access they’ve granted others."

The feature also resets system privacy permissions for apps and restricts Messages and FaceTime to the device on hand.

Apple's also made some improvements to Passkeys in Safari. iOS 16 brings a brand new sign-in method that's end-to-end encrypted and safe from phishing and data leaks.