Apple on Thursday released watchOS 7.6.1, a minor update to the watchOS 7 operating system that was released in September 2020. watchOS 7.6.1 comes two weeks after the release of watchOS 7.6, which delivered ECG functionality to new regions.
According to Apple’s release notes, the watchOS 7.6.1 update includes important security updates and it is recommended for all users. An Apple security support document indicates that the update fixes a memory issue that may have been actively exploited in the wild, as with iOS 14.7.1, iPadOS 14.7.1, and macOS Big Sur 11.5.1.
watchOS 7.6.1
Released July 29, 2021
IOMobileFrameBuffer
Available for: Apple Watch Series 3 and later
Impact: An application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited.
Description: A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved memory handling.CVE-2021-30807: an anonymous researcher
MacDailyNews Take: Applicable Apple Watch users should upgrade ASAP.
The free watchOS 7.6.1 operating system update can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software Update.
Watch updates are also possible directly by going to Settings app (on the watch), General, Software Update. It’s more convenient. And that stuff a few months ago about 8GB Series 3 needing to be unpaired and restored for each update (because not enough free space). That was nonsense from a blogger. This update installed normally. The previous two updates also installed fine for me with no special actions. It’s possible a big update, like next major release, will require unpairing and restoring. I think Apple has improved the Watch update process recently.
After this update, there was no cellular plan found. Powering down the watch fixed this.