Apple released iOS 11.3.1, an incremental update to the iOS 11.3 operating system with a pretty major bug fix.
It’s a relatively small update to Apple’s mobile operating system, but it introduces a number of important bug patches and other under-the-hood changes. Chief among those is a fix for an issue that disabled touch functionality for iPhone 8 and 8 Plus devices that were repaired by a third-party vendor using aftermarket parts.
The bug was discovered after users found that iOS 11.3 killed touch responsiveness on their devices. At the time, media outlets reported that “thousands” of iPhone 8 handsets that had been repaired using aftermarket display panels were impacted.
Apparently, the issue was tied to a small microchip embedded in the display. While some users thought it might have been an intended move on Apple’s part to discourage third-party repairs, it now appears that it was the result of a bug.
While Apple did fix the issue in iOS 11.3.1, the firm added a note urging users to only use authorized service providers and genuine Apple parts.
“Non-genuine replacement displays may have and may fail to work correctly,” Apple wrote in its compromised visual quality release notes. “Apple-certified screen repairs and performed by trusted experts who used genuine Apple parts.”
Other Improvements
As with most incremental updates, iOS 11.3.1 also includes a number of security updates. According to an Apple security document, iOS 11.3.1 addresses several issues that could allow malicious web content to execute code, as well as a security hole that may have given apps “elevated privileges.”
iOS 11.3 itself, released to the public last month, added a slew of new features to iOS. They included the promised Battery Health feature and an option to disable performance throttling, as well as new Animoji, Business Chat for Messages, and updates to other native applications.