Apple Releases iOS 15.0.2 With Messages Photo Bug Fix, Security Update and More

Apple today released iOS 15.0.2, the second update to the iOS 15 operating system that was released in September. iOS 15.0.2 comes a week and a half after the launch of iOS 15.0.1, a bug fix update.

iOS 15 General Feature Purple
The iOS 15.0.2 update can be downloaded for free and the software is available on all eligible devices over-the-air in the Settings app. To access the new software, go to Settings > General > Software Update.

According to Apple's release notes, the update fixes an issue that could cause images saved to your Photo Library from Messages to disappear after the associated message or thread is deleted.

iOS 15.0.2 also fixes an issue that could cause the iPhone Leather Wallet with MagSafe not to connect to Find My, and a bug that could cause AirTags not to appear in the ‌Find My‌ Items tab. There's a fix for a CarPlay bug that could cause ‌CarPlay‌ to fail to open audio apps, and an issue that could cause device restore or updates to fail on ‌iPhone‌ 13 models. when using Finder or iTunes. Apple's full release notes are below:

This update includes bug fixes for your iPhone:
- Photos saved to your library from Messages could be deleted after removing the associated thread or message
- iPhone Leather Wallet with MagSafe may not connect to Find My
- AirTag might not appear in the Find My Items tab
- CarPlay may fail to open audio apps or disconnect during playback
- Device restore or update may fail when using Finder or iTunes for iPhone 13 models
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website:
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222

Apple has also released iPadOS 15.0.2 for iPad models, with fixes for the Messages bug, the AirTag bug, and a bug that could cause device restore or update to fail on an iPad mini 6 when using Finder or iTunes.

Apple's security support page for the updates says that iOS and iPadOS 15.0.2 address a vulnerability that could allow an application to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, a bug that Apple says could have been actively exploited.

For that reason, all users should make sure to update to the latest software as soon as possible.

Related Forum: iOS 15

Popular Stories

Apple Logo Black

Apple Just Made Its Second-Biggest Acquisition Ever After Beats

Thursday January 29, 2026 10:07 am PST by
Apple today confirmed to Reuters that it has acquired Q.ai, an Israeli startup that is working on artificial intelligence technology for audio. Apple paid close to $2 billion for Q.ai, according to sources cited by the Financial Times. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone and audio brand Beats in 2014. Q.ai has...
imac video apple feature

Apple Unveils First New Products of 2026

Monday January 26, 2026 1:55 pm PST by
Apple today introduced its first two physical products of 2026: a second-generation AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided Solo Loop for the Apple Watch. Read our coverage of each announcement to learn more:Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More Apple Introduces New Black Unity Apple Watch BandBoth the new AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided...
iPhone 5s

iPhone 5s Gets New Software Update 13 Years After Launch

Monday January 26, 2026 3:56 pm PST by
Alongside iOS 26.2.1, Apple today released an updated version of iOS 12 for devices that are still running that operating system update, eight years after the software was first released. iOS 12.5.8 is available for the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 6, meaning Apple is continuing to support these devices for 13 and 12 years after launch, respectively. The iPhone 5s came out in September 2013,...
Apple Creator Studio

Apple's Next Launch is Today

Tuesday January 27, 2026 2:39 pm PST by
Update: Apple Creator Studio is now available. Apple Creator Studio launches this Wednesday, January 28. The all-in-one subscription provides access to the Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Motion, Compressor, and MainStage apps, with U.S. pricing set at $12.99 per month or $129 per year. A subscription to Apple Creator Studio also unlocks "intelligent features" and "premium...
apple silicon 1 feature

Apple Responds to Skyrocketing RAM and Storage Chip Prices

Thursday January 29, 2026 2:40 pm PST by
On an earnings call with equity analysts today, Apple CEO Tim Cook responded to fast-rising RAM and SSD storage chip prices in the supply chain. Prices for RAM and NAND storage chips are surging lately due to high demand from companies building out AI servers, resulting in supply constraints. Cook said that rising memory chip prices had a "minimal impact" on Apple's gross margin in the...

Top Rated Comments

dannyyankou Avatar
56 months ago
So how's that new software development process working out?

https://www.macrumors.com/2019/11/21/apple-software-development-changes-report/
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
56 months ago
Yay! More bugs fixes. Waiting for 15.1 update :)
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wgaller Avatar
56 months ago

I'm not. I wouldn't expect it for another, oh, 2-4 weeks. These are focused bugfixes knocking down particular problems that they feel are urgent enough to warrant handling ahead of 15.1 (that doesn't mean that the ones in 15.0.1 and 15.0.2 are the only such - there may be more to come). 15.1 will address a large variety of problems, and will require a lot more testing before it's released.
So I have been talking to Apple engineers for a week about phone not showing correct storage - still not fixed.

Attachment Image
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BWhaler Avatar
56 months ago
So embarassing.

I wonder if Apple just trusts developers to test their own code.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
orbital~debris Avatar
56 months ago

Article Link: Apple Releases iOS 15.0.2 With Messages Photo Bug Fix and More ('https://www.macrumors.com/2021/10/11/apple-releases-ios-15-0-2/')
Ooh good, I was waiting for "and More". Finally.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macintoshmac Avatar
56 months ago
15.0.1 or 15.0.2? Which is it, bot?



Attachment Image
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)