I submitted a feedback also today.

Essentially same issue. My code is UIImage *image = [[UIImage alloc] initWithContentsOfFile: filename] filename is the path and name of the bitmap. When executed, image comes back as nil (under 15.7) The code runs without error on 15.6.1 and on IOS 16 but not under 15.7 I have a ton of users using iPad Mini 4 that can not update to 16 and there is no path back to IOS 15.6.1

Did you submit a code-level request with Apple. I am having the same issue. It is clearly an IOS 15.7 issue as apps work under 15.6.1 and 16. As this is a terminal IOS version for many devices, Apple should address this immediately. I submitted a code-level request with Apple and have not heard back though they say they will respond in a couple of days. Just wondering if you did same. Has Apple acknowledged this with anyone?

The issue according to Apple is that there is a bug in IOS 15.7. The UIImage can not load bitmaps with depths/precision less than 24bits per pixel. They recommend using PNG files instead. It was not clear when they plan on fixing this if ever. I changed all my bitmaps to PNGs and the app worked flawlessly.