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

Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

New MacBook Pros Reportedly Launching Alongside macOS 26.3

Sunday February 1, 2026 5:42 am PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside macOS 26.3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple's faster MacBook Pros are planned for the macOS 26.3 release cycle," wrote Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated for the macOS 26.3 software cycle, which runs from...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
14 inch MacBook Pro Keyboard

Apple Changes How You Order a Mac

Saturday January 31, 2026 10:51 am PST by
Apple recently updated its online store with a new ordering process for Macs, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro. There used to be a handful of standard configurations available for each Mac, but now you must configure a Mac entirely from scratch on a feature-by-feature basis. In other words, ordering a new Mac now works much like ordering an...

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)