Apple Preparing iOS 17.2.1 Update for iPhone

Apple appears to be internally testing an iOS 17.2.1 update for the iPhone, based on evidence of the software in our website's analytics logs this week.

General iOS 17 Feature Orange Purple
Our logs have revealed the existence of several iOS 17 versions before Apple released them, including iOS 17.0.3, iOS 17.1.1, and iOS 17.1.2.

iOS 17.2.1 would likely be a minor update with fixes for bugs and/or security vulnerabilities. Following the release of iOS 17.2 last week, some users have complained about a bug that causes the Messages app to disappear when rearranging app icons on the Home Screen, but it is unclear if iOS 17.2.1 would address this issue.

Given there are multiple holidays over the next few weeks, it is possible that iOS 17.2.1 will not be released until next month, although the update could be expedited if there are critical fixes. There was no iOS 16.2.1 update for precedent, but Apple released iOS 15.2.1 with a HomeKit security fix in mid-January in 2022.

iOS 17.2.1 would be a stopgap while Apple continues to test a larger iOS 17.3 update, which features a new Stolen Device Protection security option and re-enables the ability to create collaborative Apple Music playlists.

Related Forums: iOS 17, iPadOS 17

Popular Stories

iOS 26

When Will Apple Release iOS 26.2?

Monday December 1, 2025 4:37 pm PST by
We're getting closer to the launch of the final major iOS update of the year, with Apple set to release iOS 26.2 in December. We've had three betas so far and are expecting a fourth beta or a release candidate this week, so a launch could follow as soon as next week. Past Launch Dates Apple's past iOS x.2 updates from the last few years have all happened right around the middle of the...
ios 18 to ios 26 upgrade

Apple Pushes iPhone Users Still on iOS 18 to Upgrade to iOS 26

Tuesday December 2, 2025 11:09 am PST by
Apple is encouraging iPhone users who are still running iOS 18 to upgrade to iOS 26 by making the iOS 26 software upgrade option more prominent. Since iOS 26 launched in September, it has been displayed as an optional upgrade at the bottom of the Software Update interface in the Settings app. iOS 18 has been the default operating system option, and users running iOS 18 have seen iOS 18...
maxresdefault

iPhone Fold: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable

Monday December 1, 2025 3:00 am PST by
Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that 2026 could indeed be the year that Apple releases its first foldable device. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that ...
iOS 26

Apple Seeds iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 Release Candidates to Developers and Public Beta Testers

Wednesday December 3, 2025 10:33 am PST by
Apple today seeded the release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 updates to developers and public beta testers, with the software coming two weeks after Apple seeded the third betas. The release candidates represent the final versions of iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 that will be provided to the public if no further bugs are found during this final week of testing....
Photos App Icon Liquid Glass

John Gruber Shares Scathing Commentary About Apple's Departing Software Design Chief

Thursday December 4, 2025 9:30 am PST by
In a statement shared with Bloomberg on Wednesday, Apple confirmed that its software design chief Alan Dye will be leaving. Apple said Dye will be succeeded by Stephen Lemay, who has been a software designer at the company since 1999. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that Dye will lead a new creative studio within the company's AR/VR division Reality Labs. On his blog Daring Fireball,...
iphone 17 cyber

iPhone 17 Demand Is Breaking Apple's Sales Records

Tuesday December 2, 2025 9:44 am PST by
Apple's iPhone 17 lineup is selling well enough that Apple is on track to ship more than 247.4 million total iPhones in 2025, according to a new report from IDC. Total 2025 shipments are forecast to grow 6.1 percent year over year due to iPhone 17 demand and increased sales in China, a major market for Apple. Overall worldwide smartphone shipments across Android and iOS are forecast to...
Touchscreen MacBook Feature

Here Are the Four MacBooks Apple Is Expected to Launch Next Year

Monday December 1, 2025 5:00 am PST by
2026 could be a bumper year for Apple's Mac lineup, with the company expected to announce as many as four separate MacBook launches. Rumors suggest Apple will court both ends of the consumer spectrum, with more affordable options for students and feature-rich premium lines for users that seek the highest specifications from a laptop. Below is a breakdown of what we're expecting over the next ...
iOS 26

15 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 26.2

Friday December 5, 2025 9:40 am PST by
Apple is about to release iOS 26.2, the second major point update for iPhones since iOS 26 was rolled out in September, and there are at least 15 notable changes and improvements worth checking out. We've rounded them up below. Apple is expected to roll out iOS 26.2 to compatible devices sometime between December 8 and December 16. When the update drops, you can check Apple's servers for the ...
iphone air camera

iPhone Air's Resale Value Has Dropped Dramatically, Data Shows

Thursday December 4, 2025 5:27 am PST by
The iPhone Air has recorded the steepest early resale value drop of any iPhone model in years, with new data showing that several configurations have lost almost 50% of their value within ten weeks of launch. According to a ten-week analysis published by SellCell, Apple's latest lineup is showing a pronounced split in resale performance between the iPhone 17 models and the iPhone Air....
iPhone 17 Pro Cosmic Orange

iPhone 17 Pro Lost a Camera Feature Pro Models Have Had Since 2020

Thursday December 4, 2025 5:18 am PST by
iPhone 17 Pro models, it turns out, can't take photos in Night mode when Portrait mode is selected in the Camera app – a capability that's been available on Apple's Pro devices since the iPhone 12 Pro in 2020. If you're an iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max owner, try it for yourself: Open the Camera app with Photo selected in the carousel, then cover the rear lenses with your hand to...

Top Rated Comments

WilliApple Avatar
26 months ago
I feel Apple could possibly release this tomorrow or the day after to accommodate for the Apple Watch ban.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
crobcary Avatar
26 months ago
I hope they do. Honestly, I had very few issues with all the iOS 17 builds, but whew 17.2 gave me all the issues that others had complained about in the past. Overheating, weird WiFi, terrible connection handling, crap battery life, you name it.

I always install via IPSWs/Finder and I have a 15 Pro. Usually I don’t have problems, but 17.2 feels like an actual beta build for me.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TrenttonY Avatar
26 months ago
Has Apple given up on ‘Rapid Security Response’? or has it been regulated to just a “OMG” moment where they need to have 99% of devices updated within 24 hours?

I don’t think we’ve had one in like 9 months or so… and I’m pretty sure it had problems for a lot of people.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macOSSlawHotelaw Avatar
26 months ago
Since 17.2, my iPhone frequently seems to crash, then get stuck in the Face ID screen for a while
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nordique Avatar
26 months ago
Good….17.2 is the buggiest version of iOS 17 for me
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dampfnudel Avatar
26 months ago

Exactly what I was thinking. Sorry everyone sensor has been deactivated until further notice…
They won’t do that to current S9 and U2 owners.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)