iOS 6.1.3 update brings lock screen passcode hack fix

Apple has released the iOS 6.1.3 update to fix the bug that allowed anyone to bypass a password protected lock screen by following a few simple steps employing the use of the power and home button, and the phone's emergency call feature. The update also brings improvements to Apple Maps in Japan. The update is available for iPhone 3GS, 4 and 4S, iPhone 5, all iPads following iPad 2 and all iPod touch devices after the 4th generation iPod touch.

The size of the update for the iPhone 5 is 18.2MB, while it is 28.5MB on the iPhone 4S. Apple just mentions that the update contains improvements and bug fixed in the update notification screen, but mentions that it "Fixes a bug that could allow someone to bypass the passcode and access the Phone app" and "Improvements to Maps in Japan" in the details screen. The update can be downloaded over the air on the iOS devices or via iTunes on computers.

Apple took more than a month to release the update that fixes the issue, after it was first reported and even acknowledged by the Cupertino giant.

Interestingly, the update also includes a patch for blocking the popular 'evasi0n' hacking tool that lets users jailbreak their iPhones. Apple has acknowledged the same in the Security notes released with the update and has credited evad3rs for discovering four out of the six bugs that the 6.1.3 update fixes. This means that you won't be able to jailbreak your device till a new hack is discovered if you update it.

Apple had earlier released the 6.1.2 update to fix problems related to iOS devices overloading Exchange servers after being updated to iOS 6.1 due to issues with calendar sync. It had also released the 6.1.1 update for iPhone 4S users to fix network connectivity issues.

Apple had released the iOS 6.1 update in January to enable 36 iPhone carriers and 23 iPad carriers around the world to provide access to the faster LTE networks offered in many locations. It also enabled movie ticket purchases through Fandango via Apple's voice-assistant Siri in the US, and individual song downloads from iCloud for iTunes Match subscribers.