iOS 17.6.1 rolling out with bug fixes and feature improvement

Apple is rolling out a new iOS 17.6.1 software update for iPhones and it brings important bug fixes for devices to enhance user data safety and privacy.

This new build came a week after the iOS 17.6 release, which also brought bug fixes. Additionally, Apple provided new security patches for recently found security flaws. iOS 17.6.1 also addresses an issue that prevents enabling or disabling Advanced Data Protection.

This feature lets you encrypt everything on iCloud to keep it secure through end-to-end encryption. It ensures that the iCloud data including backup, photos, notes, and others can only be decrypted on your trusted devices.

During setup, the user will be guided through the process including an alternative recovery method with a recovery contact or a key.

iOS 17.6.1 (Source – Apple)

To enable advanced data protection for iCloud, you need to ensure that your Apple ID has two-factor authentication. Other requirements include a device passcode or password, an account recovery contact or recovery key, and iOS 16.2 or later (as of August 2024, may change later).

To find this feature on your iPhone, go to the Settings app. Tap on your name and then enter “iCloud”. From here, you have to scroll down and tap “Advanced Data Protection”.

Follow the on-screen instructions to review the required fields and enable the function. Prior to this release, Apple has notified that there might be some cases when you may not be able to turn on data protection for some time.

The company also gave a solution in case the feature becomes untouchable. To do so, you can choose to remove your added device with this issue from your Apple ID device list.

It’s good that Apple acknowledged this issue. And users won’t have to find alternative routes. Allowing them to enable or disable based on their preference.