diff --git a/.ci/requirements-cibw.txt b/.ci/requirements-cibw.txt
index 9f9136557..d87d7956f 100644
--- a/.ci/requirements-cibw.txt
+++ b/.ci/requirements-cibw.txt
@@ -1 +1 @@
-cibuildwheel==3.1.3
+cibuildwheel==3.1.4
diff --git a/.github/workflows/docs.yml b/.github/workflows/docs.yml
index 626824f38..761dc1125 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/docs.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/docs.yml
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ jobs:
     name: Docs
 
     steps:
-    - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+    - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       with:
         persist-credentials: false
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/lint.yml b/.github/workflows/lint.yml
index 8e789a734..9827ef1cd 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/lint.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/lint.yml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ jobs:
     name: Lint
 
     steps:
-    - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+    - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       with:
         persist-credentials: false
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/test-docker.yml b/.github/workflows/test-docker.yml
index 47f2d3f0a..30e5c494d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test-docker.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test-docker.yml
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ jobs:
     name: ${{ matrix.docker }}
 
     steps:
-    - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+    - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       with:
         persist-credentials: false
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/test-mingw.yml b/.github/workflows/test-mingw.yml
index 5a83c16c3..6c4206083 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test-mingw.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test-mingw.yml
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ jobs:
 
     steps:
       - name: Checkout Pillow
-        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        uses: actions/checkout@v5
         with:
           persist-credentials: false
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/test-valgrind-memory.yml b/.github/workflows/test-valgrind-memory.yml
index e6a5f6e77..0f36fe30d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test-valgrind-memory.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test-valgrind-memory.yml
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ jobs:
     name: ${{ matrix.docker }}
 
     steps:
-    - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+    - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       with:
         persist-credentials: false
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/test-valgrind.yml b/.github/workflows/test-valgrind.yml
index 8818b3b23..30caa0d4e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test-valgrind.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test-valgrind.yml
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ jobs:
     name: ${{ matrix.docker }}
 
     steps:
-    - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+    - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       with:
         persist-credentials: false
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/test-windows.yml b/.github/workflows/test-windows.yml
index c80bb6eb6..d55a8e5f5 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test-windows.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test-windows.yml
@@ -47,19 +47,19 @@ jobs:
 
     steps:
     - name: Checkout Pillow
-      uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      uses: actions/checkout@v5
       with:
         persist-credentials: false
 
     - name: Checkout cached dependencies
-      uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      uses: actions/checkout@v5
       with:
         persist-credentials: false
         repository: python-pillow/pillow-depends
         path: winbuild\depends
 
     - name: Checkout extra test images
-      uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      uses: actions/checkout@v5
       with:
         persist-credentials: false
         repository: python-pillow/test-images
diff --git a/.github/workflows/test.yml b/.github/workflows/test.yml
index 0fad22a03..b17d08892 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test.yml
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ jobs:
     name: ${{ matrix.os }} Python ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
     steps:
-    - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+    - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       with:
         persist-credentials: false
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/wheels.yml b/.github/workflows/wheels.yml
index d217d9292..24e78f965 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/wheels.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/wheels.yml
@@ -99,14 +99,14 @@ jobs:
             cibw_arch: arm64_iphoneos
           - name: "iOS arm64 simulator"
             platform: ios
-            os: macos-latest
+            os: macos-14
             cibw_arch: arm64_iphonesimulator
           - name: "iOS x86_64 simulator"
             platform: ios
             os: macos-13
             cibw_arch: x86_64_iphonesimulator
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
         with:
           persist-credentials: false
           submodules: true
@@ -153,12 +153,12 @@ jobs:
           - cibw_arch: ARM64
             os: windows-11-arm
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
         with:
           persist-credentials: false
 
       - name: Checkout extra test images
-        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        uses: actions/checkout@v5
         with:
           persist-credentials: false
           repository: python-pillow/test-images
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ jobs:
     if: github.event_name != 'schedule'
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
-    - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+    - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       with:
         persist-credentials: false
 
diff --git a/Tests/helper.py b/Tests/helper.py
index e0dc8a9d4..dbdd30b42 100644
--- a/Tests/helper.py
+++ b/Tests/helper.py
@@ -175,6 +175,14 @@ def skip_unless_feature(feature: str) -> pytest.MarkDecorator:
     return pytest.mark.skipif(not features.check(feature), reason=reason)
 
 
+def has_feature_version(feature: str, required: str) -> bool:
+    version = features.version(feature)
+    assert version is not None
+    version_required = parse_version(required)
+    version_available = parse_version(version)
+    return version_available >= version_required
+
+
 def skip_unless_feature_version(
     feature: str, required: str, reason: str | None = None
 ) -> pytest.MarkDecorator:
diff --git a/Tests/test_file_webp_animated.py b/Tests/test_file_webp_animated.py
index 503761374..600448fb9 100644
--- a/Tests/test_file_webp_animated.py
+++ b/Tests/test_file_webp_animated.py
@@ -4,13 +4,13 @@ from collections.abc import Generator
 from pathlib import Path
 
 import pytest
-from packaging.version import parse as parse_version
 
-from PIL import GifImagePlugin, Image, WebPImagePlugin, features
+from PIL import GifImagePlugin, Image, WebPImagePlugin
 
 from .helper import (
     assert_image_equal,
     assert_image_similar,
+    has_feature_version,
     is_big_endian,
     skip_unless_feature,
 )
@@ -53,11 +53,8 @@ def test_write_animation_L(tmp_path: Path) -> None:
             im.load()
             assert_image_similar(im, orig.convert("RGBA"), 32.9)
 
-            if is_big_endian():
-                version = features.version_module("webp")
-                assert version is not None
-                if parse_version(version) < parse_version("1.2.2"):
-                    pytest.skip("Fails with libwebp earlier than 1.2.2")
+            if is_big_endian() and not has_feature_version("webp", "1.2.2"):
+                pytest.skip("Fails with libwebp earlier than 1.2.2")
             orig.seek(orig.n_frames - 1)
             im.seek(im.n_frames - 1)
             orig.load()
@@ -81,11 +78,8 @@ def test_write_animation_RGB(tmp_path: Path) -> None:
             assert_image_equal(im, frame1.convert("RGBA"))
 
             # Compare second frame to original
-            if is_big_endian():
-                version = features.version_module("webp")
-                assert version is not None
-                if parse_version(version) < parse_version("1.2.2"):
-                    pytest.skip("Fails with libwebp earlier than 1.2.2")
+            if is_big_endian() and not has_feature_version("webp", "1.2.2"):
+                pytest.skip("Fails with libwebp earlier than 1.2.2")
             im.seek(1)
             im.load()
             assert_image_equal(im, frame2.convert("RGBA"))
diff --git a/Tests/test_image_quantize.py b/Tests/test_image_quantize.py
index 6d313cb8c..d847c7440 100644
--- a/Tests/test_image_quantize.py
+++ b/Tests/test_image_quantize.py
@@ -1,11 +1,16 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import pytest
-from packaging.version import parse as parse_version
 
-from PIL import Image, features
+from PIL import Image
 
-from .helper import assert_image_similar, hopper, is_ppc64le, skip_unless_feature
+from .helper import (
+    assert_image_similar,
+    has_feature_version,
+    hopper,
+    is_ppc64le,
+    skip_unless_feature,
+)
 
 
 def test_sanity() -> None:
@@ -23,11 +28,8 @@ def test_sanity() -> None:
 @skip_unless_feature("libimagequant")
 def test_libimagequant_quantize() -> None:
     image = hopper()
-    if is_ppc64le():
-        version = features.version_feature("libimagequant")
-        assert version is not None
-        if parse_version(version) < parse_version("4"):
-            pytest.skip("Fails with libimagequant earlier than 4.0.0 on ppc64le")
+    if is_ppc64le() and not has_feature_version("libimagequant", "4"):
+        pytest.skip("Fails with libimagequant earlier than 4.0.0 on ppc64le")
     converted = image.quantize(100, Image.Quantize.LIBIMAGEQUANT)
     assert converted.mode == "P"
     assert_image_similar(converted.convert("RGB"), image, 15)
diff --git a/Tests/test_imagefontctl.py b/Tests/test_imagefontctl.py
index 5954de874..95af3fda8 100644
--- a/Tests/test_imagefontctl.py
+++ b/Tests/test_imagefontctl.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ from PIL import Image, ImageDraw, ImageFont
 from .helper import (
     assert_image_equal_tofile,
     assert_image_similar_tofile,
+    has_feature_version,
     skip_unless_feature,
 )
 
@@ -104,11 +105,9 @@ def test_text_direction_ttb() -> None:
 
     im = Image.new(mode="RGB", size=(100, 300))
     draw = ImageDraw.Draw(im)
-    try:
-        draw.text((0, 0), "English あい", font=ttf, fill=500, direction="ttb")
-    except ValueError as ex:
-        if str(ex) == "libraqm 0.7 or greater required for 'ttb' direction":
-            pytest.skip("libraqm 0.7 or greater not available")
+    if not has_feature_version("raqm", "0.7"):
+        pytest.skip("libraqm 0.7 or greater not available")
+    draw.text((0, 0), "English あい", font=ttf, fill=500, direction="ttb")
 
     target = "Tests/images/test_direction_ttb.png"
     assert_image_similar_tofile(im, target, 2.8)
@@ -119,19 +118,17 @@ def test_text_direction_ttb_stroke() -> None:
 
     im = Image.new(mode="RGB", size=(100, 300))
     draw = ImageDraw.Draw(im)
-    try:
-        draw.text(
-            (27, 27),
-            "あい",
-            font=ttf,
-            fill=500,
-            direction="ttb",
-            stroke_width=2,
-            stroke_fill="#0f0",
-        )
-    except ValueError as ex:
-        if str(ex) == "libraqm 0.7 or greater required for 'ttb' direction":
-            pytest.skip("libraqm 0.7 or greater not available")
+    if not has_feature_version("raqm", "0.7"):
+        pytest.skip("libraqm 0.7 or greater not available")
+    draw.text(
+        (27, 27),
+        "あい",
+        font=ttf,
+        fill=500,
+        direction="ttb",
+        stroke_width=2,
+        stroke_fill="#0f0",
+    )
 
     target = "Tests/images/test_direction_ttb_stroke.png"
     assert_image_similar_tofile(im, target, 19.4)
@@ -219,14 +216,9 @@ def test_getlength(
     im = Image.new(mode, (1, 1), 0)
     d = ImageDraw.Draw(im)
 
-    try:
-        assert d.textlength(text, ttf, direction) == expected
-    except ValueError as ex:
-        if (
-            direction == "ttb"
-            and str(ex) == "libraqm 0.7 or greater required for 'ttb' direction"
-        ):
-            pytest.skip("libraqm 0.7 or greater not available")
+    if direction == "ttb" and not has_feature_version("raqm", "0.7"):
+        pytest.skip("libraqm 0.7 or greater not available")
+    assert d.textlength(text, ttf, direction) == expected
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("mode", ("L", "1"))
@@ -242,17 +234,12 @@ def test_getlength_combine(mode: str, direction: str, text: str) -> None:
 
     ttf = ImageFont.truetype("Tests/fonts/NotoSans-Regular.ttf", 48)
 
-    try:
-        target = ttf.getlength("ii", mode, direction)
-        actual = ttf.getlength(text, mode, direction)
+    if direction == "ttb" and not has_feature_version("raqm", "0.7"):
+        pytest.skip("libraqm 0.7 or greater not available")
+    target = ttf.getlength("ii", mode, direction)
+    actual = ttf.getlength(text, mode, direction)
 
-        assert actual == target
-    except ValueError as ex:
-        if (
-            direction == "ttb"
-            and str(ex) == "libraqm 0.7 or greater required for 'ttb' direction"
-        ):
-            pytest.skip("libraqm 0.7 or greater not available")
+    assert actual == target
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("anchor", ("lt", "mm", "rb", "sm"))
@@ -265,11 +252,9 @@ def test_anchor_ttb(anchor: str) -> None:
     d = ImageDraw.Draw(im)
     d.line(((0, 200), (200, 200)), "gray")
     d.line(((100, 0), (100, 400)), "gray")
-    try:
-        d.text((100, 200), text, fill="black", anchor=anchor, direction="ttb", font=f)
-    except ValueError as ex:
-        if str(ex) == "libraqm 0.7 or greater required for 'ttb' direction":
-            pytest.skip("libraqm 0.7 or greater not available")
+    if not has_feature_version("raqm", "0.7"):
+        pytest.skip("libraqm 0.7 or greater not available")
+    d.text((100, 200), text, fill="black", anchor=anchor, direction="ttb", font=f)
 
     assert_image_similar_tofile(im, path, 1)  # fails at 5
 
@@ -310,10 +295,12 @@ combine_tests = (
 
 # this tests various combining characters for anchor alignment and clipping
 @pytest.mark.parametrize(
-    "name, text, anchor, dir, epsilon", combine_tests, ids=[r[0] for r in combine_tests]
+    "name, text, anchor, direction, epsilon",
+    combine_tests,
+    ids=[r[0] for r in combine_tests],
 )
 def test_combine(
-    name: str, text: str, dir: str | None, anchor: str | None, epsilon: float
+    name: str, text: str, direction: str | None, anchor: str | None, epsilon: float
 ) -> None:
     path = f"Tests/images/test_combine_{name}.png"
     f = ImageFont.truetype("Tests/fonts/NotoSans-Regular.ttf", 48)
@@ -322,11 +309,9 @@ def test_combine(
     d = ImageDraw.Draw(im)
     d.line(((0, 200), (400, 200)), "gray")
     d.line(((200, 0), (200, 400)), "gray")
-    try:
-        d.text((200, 200), text, fill="black", anchor=anchor, direction=dir, font=f)
-    except ValueError as ex:
-        if str(ex) == "libraqm 0.7 or greater required for 'ttb' direction":
-            pytest.skip("libraqm 0.7 or greater not available")
+    if direction == "ttb" and not has_feature_version("raqm", "0.7"):
+        pytest.skip("libraqm 0.7 or greater not available")
+    d.text((200, 200), text, fill="black", anchor=anchor, direction=direction, font=f)
 
     assert_image_similar_tofile(im, path, epsilon)
 
diff --git a/Tests/test_numpy.py b/Tests/test_numpy.py
index ef54deeeb..f6acb3aff 100644
--- a/Tests/test_numpy.py
+++ b/Tests/test_numpy.py
@@ -28,15 +28,13 @@ def test_numpy_to_image() -> None:
             a = numpy.array(data, dtype=dtype)
             a.shape = TEST_IMAGE_SIZE
             i = Image.fromarray(a)
-            if list(i.getdata()) != data:
-                print("data mismatch for", dtype)
+            assert list(i.getdata()) == data
         else:
             data = list(range(100))
             a = numpy.array([[x] * bands for x in data], dtype=dtype)
             a.shape = TEST_IMAGE_SIZE[0], TEST_IMAGE_SIZE[1], bands
             i = Image.fromarray(a)
-            if list(i.getchannel(0).getdata()) != list(range(100)):
-                print("data mismatch for", dtype)
+            assert list(i.getchannel(0).getdata()) == list(range(100))
         return i
 
     # Check supported 1-bit integer formats
diff --git a/docs/reference/ImageFile.rst b/docs/reference/ImageFile.rst
index 043559352..4c34ff812 100644
--- a/docs/reference/ImageFile.rst
+++ b/docs/reference/ImageFile.rst
@@ -74,5 +74,6 @@ Constants
 ---------
 
 .. autodata:: PIL.ImageFile.LOAD_TRUNCATED_IMAGES
+.. autodata:: PIL.ImageFile.MAXBLOCK
 .. autodata:: PIL.ImageFile.ERRORS
     :annotation:
diff --git a/src/PIL/Image.py b/src/PIL/Image.py
index b7c185e0d..683c80762 100644
--- a/src/PIL/Image.py
+++ b/src/PIL/Image.py
@@ -103,7 +103,6 @@ try:
         raise ImportError(msg)
 
 except ImportError as v:
-    core = DeferredError.new(ImportError("The _imaging C module is not installed."))
     # Explanations for ways that we know we might have an import error
     if str(v).startswith("Module use of python"):
         # The _imaging C module is present, but not compiled for
diff --git a/src/PIL/ImageFile.py b/src/PIL/ImageFile.py
index 27b27127e..e33b846d4 100644
--- a/src/PIL/ImageFile.py
+++ b/src/PIL/ImageFile.py
@@ -46,6 +46,18 @@ if TYPE_CHECKING:
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 MAXBLOCK = 65536
+"""
+By default, Pillow processes image data in blocks. This helps to prevent excessive use
+of resources. Codecs may disable this behaviour with ``_pulls_fd`` or ``_pushes_fd``.
+
+When reading an image, this is the number of bytes to read at once.
+
+When writing an image, this is the number of bytes to write at once.
+If the image width times 4 is greater, then that will be used instead.
+Plugins may also set a greater number.
+
+User code may set this to another number.
+"""
 
 SAFEBLOCK = 1024 * 1024
 
diff --git a/src/PIL/ImageFont.py b/src/PIL/ImageFont.py
index b801186c6..9bc215869 100644
--- a/src/PIL/ImageFont.py
+++ b/src/PIL/ImageFont.py
@@ -681,11 +681,7 @@ class FreeTypeFont:
         :returns: A list of the named styles in a variation font.
         :exception OSError: If the font is not a variation font.
         """
-        try:
-            names = self.font.getvarnames()
-        except AttributeError as e:
-            msg = "FreeType 2.9.1 or greater is required"
-            raise NotImplementedError(msg) from e
+        names = self.font.getvarnames()
         return [name.replace(b"\x00", b"") for name in names]
 
     def set_variation_by_name(self, name: str | bytes) -> None:
@@ -712,11 +708,7 @@ class FreeTypeFont:
         :returns: A list of the axes in a variation font.
         :exception OSError: If the font is not a variation font.
         """
-        try:
-            axes = self.font.getvaraxes()
-        except AttributeError as e:
-            msg = "FreeType 2.9.1 or greater is required"
-            raise NotImplementedError(msg) from e
+        axes = self.font.getvaraxes()
         for axis in axes:
             if axis["name"]:
                 axis["name"] = axis["name"].replace(b"\x00", b"")
@@ -727,11 +719,7 @@ class FreeTypeFont:
         :param axes: A list of values for each axis.
         :exception OSError: If the font is not a variation font.
         """
-        try:
-            self.font.setvaraxes(axes)
-        except AttributeError as e:
-            msg = "FreeType 2.9.1 or greater is required"
-            raise NotImplementedError(msg) from e
+        self.font.setvaraxes(axes)
 
 
 class TransposedFont:
diff --git a/src/_imagingft.c b/src/_imagingft.c
index 5e1192620..7978bb40f 100644
--- a/src/_imagingft.c
+++ b/src/_imagingft.c
@@ -1259,8 +1259,6 @@ glyph_error:
     return NULL;
 }
 
-#if FREETYPE_MAJOR > 2 || (FREETYPE_MAJOR == 2 && FREETYPE_MINOR > 9) || \
-    (FREETYPE_MAJOR == 2 && FREETYPE_MINOR == 9 && FREETYPE_PATCH == 1)
 static PyObject *
 font_getvarnames(FontObject *self) {
     int error;
@@ -1470,7 +1468,6 @@ font_setvaraxes(FontObject *self, PyObject *args) {
 
     Py_RETURN_NONE;
 }
-#endif
 
 static void
 font_dealloc(FontObject *self) {
@@ -1490,13 +1487,10 @@ static PyMethodDef font_methods[] = {
     {"getsize", (PyCFunction)font_getsize, METH_VARARGS},
     {"getlength", (PyCFunction)font_getlength, METH_VARARGS},
     {"hascharacters", (PyCFunction)font_hascharacters, METH_VARARGS},
-#if FREETYPE_MAJOR > 2 || (FREETYPE_MAJOR == 2 && FREETYPE_MINOR > 9) || \
-    (FREETYPE_MAJOR == 2 && FREETYPE_MINOR == 9 && FREETYPE_PATCH == 1)
     {"getvarnames", (PyCFunction)font_getvarnames, METH_NOARGS},
     {"getvaraxes", (PyCFunction)font_getvaraxes, METH_NOARGS},
     {"setvarname", (PyCFunction)font_setvarname, METH_VARARGS},
     {"setvaraxes", (PyCFunction)font_setvaraxes, METH_VARARGS},
-#endif
     {NULL, NULL}
 };