Security

Apple Forces Some iPhone Users to Upgrade to iOS 26

Apple Pushes iOS 26 for Security Fixes
Security Push to iOS 26
  • Key Takeaways:
  • Apple released iOS 26.2 with critical security fixes and also published iOS 18.7.3 for devices remaining on iOS 18.
  • Some iPhone owners who opted to stay on iOS 18 report being offered iOS 26.2 only, not the iOS 18.7.3 security update.
  • The move appears tied to fixes for two WebKit bugs that may have been exploited against specific targeted individuals.
  • A reported workaround is enrolling in Apple’s beta program and choosing the iOS 18 beta track to receive 18.7.3.

What happened

Apple shipped iOS 26.2 with several security fixes, including patches for two WebKit vulnerabilities that Apple says may have been exploited in limited attacks. At the same time it released iOS 18.7.3 as the maintenance branch for devices still on iOS 18.

Users who intentionally stayed on iOS 18 — often for compatibility or personal preference — report that their Settings app is no longer offering iOS 18.7.3. Instead, the only available update being shown is iOS 26.2, effectively requiring an upgrade to iOS 26 to receive the latest patches.

Why this matters

Forcing an opt-in upgrade undermines a user’s deliberate choice to remain on an earlier OS while still getting security updates. As Jason Snell at Six Colors observed, many people delay major platform updates for reasons like interface changes, app compatibility or general caution.

Apple’s security notes say the WebKit issues fixed in 26.2 could have been used in targeted attacks on devices running versions of iOS before iOS 26, which helps explain the company’s urgency — but it doesn’t change that affected users expect a separate security-only update for their chosen release track.

Devices and the update feed

Apple’s security updates page indicates iOS 18.7.3 is available via the public feed for a set of devices that remain on iOS 18. That list includes iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR and a range of iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad and iPad mini models. That suggests the behavior people are seeing — iPhones capable of running iOS 26 not being offered 18.7.3 via the main feed — may be a distribution decision or a bug.

Workaround and next steps

Several users report a workaround: sign up for Apple’s public beta program and opt into the iOS 18 public beta channel, which then presents iOS 18.7.3. That is an awkward route to receive security fixes and not a practical long-term solution for most users.

Apple has not yet provided public clarification beyond its security advisories. For now, users who want the fastest protection can update to iOS 26.2; those determined to stay on iOS 18 may need to monitor Apple’s support pages or await an official explanation and fix.

Recommendation

If you rely on app compatibility or prefer to delay major upgrades, check Apple’s security page and decide whether to accept iOS 26.2 now for immediate protection or follow the temporary beta workaround while awaiting clarification from Apple.

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