The new iPhone update is recommended for Apple users to ensure the latest security fixes. For those who have been holding off on installing iOS 26, now could be the time to install the software. Those on earlier iPhones that don’t support iOS 26 can download iOS 18.7.3 to get the new security updates.
iOS 26.2 and 18.7.3 add the latest security fixes
Apple’s iOS 26.2 and iOS 18.7.3 include the latest security updates. These are intended to protect the user’s hardware, software, and data from malicious attacks.
For newer iPhone users who have been putting off downloading and installing the new update, possibly due to the controversial Liquid Glass design, now may be the time to bite the bullet and install iOS 26.2.
Those with iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, or iPhone XR can update to iOS 18.7.3 software. However, this won’t come with all the new design and features included in the 26.2 update. The phone will still look and operate similarly, but it will be better protected from harm.
Estimates suggest that about 50 percent of eligible users have not upgraded from iOS 18 to iOS 26. This means at least 800 million consumers could be vulnerable to the security breach. (via Fox News).
Apple has identified that a software update is the only way to tackle this issue effectively, which is why these updates are so important.
While some users prefer to stay on existing software versions, as they help ensure stability, avoiding security updates could lead to a breach and loss of data. It’s up to the user if they wish to upgrade to the latest version.
Expect more iPhone updates to roll out within the next month, as Apple continues to fix and improve elements of the new 26 software. Until then, at the time of publishing, 26.2 and 18.7.3 are the latest versions.
