Apple Releases iOS 9.3.4, Bringing an 'Important Security Update' to iOS 9 Users

By AppleVis, 4 August, 2016

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team

Apple has today released iOS 9.3.4 to the public, bringing an 'Important Security Update' to iOS 9 users.

According to Apple's release notes via Mac Rumors, iOS 9.3.4 contains "an important security update" and is recommended for all those using iOS 9.

As iOS 9.3.4 appears only to be a security-fix update, it is unlikely that there are any accessibility changes for blind and low vision users. However, if you do notice any changes, please do let us know in the comments.

iOS 9.3.4 is available via Over-the-Air Update (Settings> General> Software Update) or via download in iTunes. As with any software release, we recommend that you back up your device before updating to iOS 9.3.4.

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Comments

By Jake on Thursday, August 25, 2016 - 05:02

The "important security fix" fixes the exploit used by the Pangu jailbreak. The only purpose of this update is to disallow current jailbreaks. So, if you do jailbreak (which I don't recommend for many reasons) avoid this update. By the same token though, it doesn't seem all that important the way they make it out to be, as this exploit has only ever been used to jailbreak and to do this requires several steps which you cannot take by accident.

By Toonhead on Thursday, August 25, 2016 - 05:02

I just updated to iOS 9.3.4 on both my iPhone 6 and iPad Minnie 4th generation, and there are no accessibility changes or fixes that I've noticed, but with so many people on here with different use cases, if something is different i'm sure someone will speak up. We certainly are a vocal bunch, and that's a good thing. The one thing I did notice is that this is one of the quickest updates I've ever seen. I do all my updates over-the-air, and both devices were quiet for only 5 to 7 minutes as opposed to previous updates where they were silent for as long as 10 minutes. my iPad was the first to come back, with the iPhone 6 about 3 minutes behind, I started the update on them at nearly the same time since they're both right in front of me. So, no problems here!

By dvdmth on Thursday, August 25, 2016 - 05:02

Jailbreak tools rely on security flaws to work, and the same flaws can potentially be used for malicious purposes. Therefore, even if a security hole is being patched in response to a jailbreak, you should still take it very seriously.

In my opinion, the only thing jailbreaking is good for is to expose vulnerabilities for Apple to fix. You should never run a jailbreak, in my opinion, because you are exposing your device to the bad guys out there. A number of people who ran the most recent jailbreak have seen fraudulent activity on their credit cards since then, which I do not believe to be a coincidence.

By Troy on Thursday, August 25, 2016 - 05:02

I've noticed for the past 2 updates that they are taking a very longer than normal time updating via ITunes. I don't know if it may be server traffic related?

By Troy on Thursday, August 25, 2016 - 05:02

I also noticed something after the update my voiceover volume got louder and I had actually had to turn it down. I remember a possible issue mentioned on here about voiceover volume issues in 9.3.3.

By The podcast junky on Thursday, August 25, 2016 - 05:02

I've noticed that same bug, except my voiceover's volume will randomly increase and decrease.

By tunmi13 on Thursday, August 25, 2016 - 05:02

Same here, except it's not just VoiceOver, but it's also affectaudio coming from the device.

I'd never suggest ignoring it, only that this one isn't as urgent as they made it sound. This is probably why it was simply called "an important security update" rather than most of the other patches which disclose what they really are. Don't ignore it, however you don't really need to stop on a dime if you're working on something either. This isn't heartbleed, which was more urgent than it sounded.

By charles on Thursday, August 25, 2016 - 05:02

If a security bug has been fixed, get it. Also, always doing firmware updates over the air, rather than through iTunes, is a brick just waiting to be made.

By Toonhead on Thursday, August 25, 2016 - 05:02

I'm not saying anyone's wrong or disagreeing, but I've been using iOS since 2011 and I've updated over-the-air every single time and I've never had a single issue. Maybe i'm just really lucky.

By Jake on Thursday, August 25, 2016 - 05:02

The only way to risk bricking your iPhone is to jailbreak it. Otherwise, even if an update goes absolutely wrong whether over-the-air or via iTunes (I've seen both fail) you can enter DFU mode and restore it. Apple has done a darn good job with regard to firmware recovery, to the point where you have to go out of your way to make a brick out of your iDevice.

By themusicman08 on Thursday, August 25, 2016 - 05:02

I do over the air updates for IOS. Haven't done an ITunes update for quite sometime now. I did find that my 64 gb unit was faster then the 16 gb unit. And they both have the same processor in them. I just wish they would fix the bluetooth issues.

By Veronica Elsea on Thursday, August 25, 2016 - 05:02

I have a 6S and have also noticed the variety in volume levels. I also notice that some of my gestures aren't always recognized, especially double taps. I'm finding more instances of VoiceOver getting stuck reading an item from the bottom of the screen when I tap near the top. I see this also on my sister's 6S. And when I updated, my phone just shut down so I ended up waiting a long time, not knowing what was happening.