FeliApple
macrumors 603
You want to install iOS 18.7.8… now? With this happening? It’s the worst possible moment. Honestly with this happening I wouldn’t even be certain if it would install iOS 18.7.8 or 26.
I’d just do nothing and see what happens.
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Am I being tricked into installing iOS 26
- Thread starter M@rc
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I’d just do nothing and see what happens.
FeliApple
macrumors 603
Until they find new ones, perhaps even mere minutes after updating to an irreversible update.
The security argument is the most garbage one of all.
But sure, keep chasing the unattainable goal. I have no issue with people doing that. I do, however, have an issue with people recommending those who ask because they don’t know better to update just because of security, a pointless advice full of pathetic fearmongering that all it does is kill somebody else’s device for no reason at all.
This has to stop at some point.
I7guy
macrumors Westmere
Most people want to patch what they can, not bemoan the fact in one minute some else COULD find another vulnerability.
Because you downplay the role of security doesn’t mean it’s not important.
This is a funny comment coming from someone who keeps chasing eternal iPhone life through a non-upgrade policy.
I have an issue with people saying “never update” because I believe a full picture of how some of these vulnerabilities could impact one is lost in the hubris.
I disagree and agree with certain caveats.
I agree. Promulgating bad advice to stay out should stop. We have two different thoughts on this.
FeliApple
macrumors 603
Thing is, it doesn’t seem likely that Apple will ever offer another iOS 18 update for iOS 26-compatible iPhones, so…
Does this mean that every single user that’s currently on iOS 18(.7.8) will perpetually be at risk of being unwittingly forced into 26 by this pathetic garbage of an update? How about users on earlier versions of 18? Does this 18.7.8 update work as intended?
Or will this be solved at some point server-side, maybe with the possible release of another point update of 26, where Apple course-corrects?
This is already appalling, shady, and akin to deceptive malware. Hopefully it isn’t a perpetual occurrence.
Does this mean that every single user that’s currently on iOS 18(.7.8) will perpetually be at risk of being unwittingly forced into 26 by this pathetic garbage of an update? How about users on earlier versions of 18? Does this 18.7.8 update work as intended?
Or will this be solved at some point server-side, maybe with the possible release of another point update of 26, where Apple course-corrects?
This is already appalling, shady, and akin to deceptive malware. Hopefully it isn’t a perpetual occurrence.
I7guy
macrumors Westmere
I don’t agree iOS 26 is “garbage”. It may not be perfect as all releases aren’t, but imo it’s step up from iOS 18 on many devices. YMMV of course.
FeliApple
macrumors 603
I did not say that. If an update claims to install iOS 18.7.8, and it updates to 26 instead, then it is garbage.
You can think whatever you like about 26…
But Apple claiming that the device will install iOS 18.7.8 and then irreversibly installing 26 is wrong no matter how you look at it.
Point is, will Apple fix this? Or will the “glitched” (was it deliberate?) update be there forever?
I7guy
macrumors Westmere
The screenshots seemed clear to me. Click the bottom most selection to update to iOS 26. “update now” updates to iOS 18.7.8.
18.7.9 is not available.
FeliApple
macrumors 603
Nah, come on. THERE IS NO INSTALLING IOS 18.7.8 IF YOU ARE THERE. I have to shout because this is ridiculous.
If you’re on iOS 18.7.8, Apple still offers iOS 18.7.8, which installs 26. Simple as that.
The following screenshot installs iOS 26.5.2:
What clarity are you talking about here?
This is beyond low, even for you.
I7guy
macrumors Westmere
No need to get personal. But I don’t believe it unless I see the sequence of shots s between going into the settings app and the installation.
FeliApple
macrumors 603
This is ridiculous. The screenshot is right there. The whole problem is that Apple clearly prompts iOS 18.7.8 while the device is already there and then installs 26 irreversibly.
If you can’t see how that’s wrong, you can’t be taken seriously ever again.
I7guy
macrumors Westmere
FeliApple
macrumors 603
-The icon says 18
-When you go into that page, it shows iOS 18.7.8 with the update description of iOS 18.4 (???)
-The only thing you have is the “upgrade to 26”, which makes no sense at all: “why would Apple offer 26 twice? The “26” number there might be a glitch considering everything else” is a totally logical thing to think.
Why do you think so many people fell for it? Apple has never offered the same update twice, ever since it started with the “also available” thing. It is totally logical to think that this will install 18.7.8. It doesn’t. I’m not replying to you again here. If you can’t see it then I don’t care. But again, this is low.
FeliApple
macrumors 603
Wow, I didn’t even notice this:
This is the original iOS 18.7.8 update page:
This is what I get on iOS 18.3.1, the glitched iOS 18.4 page just like everybody else:
Yet allegedly… my update isn’t glitched and will indeed install iOS 18.7.8. The whole thing is glitched and the description doesn’t make sense but the update works (this is according to a single comment I saw, so take it with a pinch of salt, but apparently it does work).
Very strange.
This is the original iOS 18.7.8 update page:
This is what I get on iOS 18.3.1, the glitched iOS 18.4 page just like everybody else:
Yet allegedly… my update isn’t glitched and will indeed install iOS 18.7.8. The whole thing is glitched and the description doesn’t make sense but the update works (this is according to a single comment I saw, so take it with a pinch of salt, but apparently it does work).
Very strange.
I7guy
macrumors Westmere
It's not well labeled. But the "update now" will update to ios 18 and it's self explanatory was to what the upgrade to ios 26 will do. Seems pretty clear to me.
I mean, a month from now, it won’t matter at all, because 26 will no longer be the latest update.
27 will be released literally next month, and even from the beta reports are that it’s more stable than both iOS 18 and 26 together.
And every single device that supports 26 also supports 27.
It’s very likely most of the people who skipped on updating to 26 will go right to 27, and iOS 18, outside of unsupported devices with future versions, will never receive another update again.
I understand that some people got an update that they didn’t choose to get, which is unfortunate, but at the end of day, this is just business as usual.
I am on 17.7 and can still have the option for the 26.6 or 18.7.8. (so that is why I was undecided on what best to do).
FeliApple
macrumors 603
Thing is, I agree that the issue will lose relevance once 27 drops for non-updated devices (as the final version of 18 will be unavailable), but on the other hand, what happens with those who wanted to keep their devices on 18 and were tricked? There’s no possible solution for them.
I disagree with this characterisation, because if somebody wanted to keep devices on 18 permanently, then it matters forever to them.
Apple forced my A9 devices out of iOS 9, I still have them (on the versions they were forced to, iOS 12 for the 9.7-inch iPad Pro and 13 for the iPhone 6s), and I would still like them to be on iOS 9. I have newer devices and everything, and Apple is still abhorrently pathetic for forcing them out without solution (there is a solution now, jailbreaking and saving activation tickets, but there wasn’t one when it happened to me).
This only matters to those who keep devices permanently on earlier iOS versions, but to them, it matters, even if we are a minority within a minority (those who keep devices AND who don’t update).
And I find this characterisation of yours troubling, because it’s “well, you lost 18? It’s fine, you would’ve updated to 27 regardless. Oh, you wouldn’t have? Well, business as usual, you’re screwed but who cares”.
I7guy
macrumors Westmere
My iPad , 7th gen, is in 18.7.9. You have a few weeks… don’t take action right now.
I7guy
macrumors Westmere
I am not blaming Apple for the “minority within a minority” of iPhone users who hit the wrong huttton. The way to ensure updates never happen is to never hit the update button.
Those who inadvertently updated have some options if this update REALLY irks them.
FeliApple
macrumors 603
Apple is to blame for mischaracterising the update, but finally something we can agree on.
Why do you think I advocate for never updating, not even point versions? Because you are completely right: something can always go wrong.
Why do I refrain from installing point versions, especially after the next major version has been released? Because there is no IPSW! If the OTA update fails, I’m screwed, and you’re right: I’d only have myself to blame. Let’s say I update via OTA, the update fails, and I have to restore. I’m done, boom, no solution whatsoever.
Those who install point versions after their current major version is unsigned must contend with the possibility of it going wrong, and accept the consequences.
Like I said, what happened to me with the A9 activation issue is pathetic: I am not to blame because I did nothing wrong. Here, users take a risk updating via OTA to an unsigned major version they want to stay on.
The risk is there, latent, and must be accepted.
Even minor point versions! People overwhelmingly reported iOS 26.5.2 was awful for battery life and 26.6 improved it. If you were on 26.3 (IIRC) battery life was far better. You have yourself to blame for going to iOS 26.5.2, nobody else, especially considering that iOS 26.3 was then unsigned.
You know the risks. Accept them or never hit the update button, which is exactly what I do.
I7guy
macrumors Westmere
In my case I am completely happy with iOS 26. And you can blame Apple for mischaracterizing the update, while I don’t believe they did.
I have never had an issue with updating. To me the operating system and iPhone gets better with updates. YMMV.
Sure there is a risk, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take. Judging by some past MR articles in adoption stats it seems many people are willing to take the risk.
The minority of the minority of people as I can gather have a stay on the original version of iOS. I think that’s extreme but to each their own.
sdfox7
macrumors demi-god
Maybe I'm missing something, but on every device I've owned I've always been prompted to enter my pin before installing an update.
I have never accidentally updated any of my devices. Even on my Macs I believe it prompts for password before installing.
Does not everyone get prompted to enter their pin to confirm? This should prevent "accidentally" updating.
I have never accidentally updated any of my devices. Even on my Macs I believe it prompts for password before installing.
Does not everyone get prompted to enter their pin to confirm? This should prevent "accidentally" updating.
FeliApple
macrumors 603
You are missing the whole point.
The problem is that the prompt says that it will install iOS 18.7.8 and then goes ahead and installs 26.5.2 without warning or any possibility to go back.
The bottom section of this screen, the one that says “iOS 18.7.8” would install iOS 26 if I were already running iOS 18.7.8. (The issue is that people think it is either another iOS 18 point update or a reissue of iOS 18.7.8 if they know they’re already running it. It isn’t. It is iOS 26.5.2 masquerading as iOS 18).
Utterly pathetic, appalling and abhorrent. This should never happen.
GregoryPeckEPA
macrumors regular
My suggestion is to either install the last RC thru a dev account and that will remove the nag or use a profile blocker to stop OS updates entirely. Apple will chase you forever to get you to update and has historically automatically updates devices despite user settings that run contrary to that effect.
And once you update, you can never go back.