Apple Issues Rare iOS 18 Security Update to Protect Against DarkSword Exploit

[svish]

Good to see Apple providing update for those still on older iOS versions. Better to keep devices updated to be safe.

 

[BillyJoeJimBob]

See? It is possible to continue supporting iOS 18.

 

[Reason077]

I got 14 Pro on 18.7.3, what is problem with certificates? As I know that won't be implemented for IOS 17 and IOS 18.

iMessage, FaceTime, and some other Apple services will stop working in January 2027 on older iOS versions due to certificate expiration. Apple fixed this in 18.7.4.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I've had to delete nearly everything on my iPad 9 so I can do the 18.7.7 update .... it needs 12GB just for the OS point release update (not even a full blown move to 26). Apple really really really kept selling low storage devices for way too long.

 

[mcalict]

Wish they would allow those with phones, capable of, but on an iOS prior to 14.8 (and the iOS upgrade 'fork') to see/get this update. I have an 11 still on 13.5.1 and the only option presented is iOS 26. And before I get flamed by the tech judgment scolds...it's currently a spare/backup phone, and I didn't own it originally so I didn't have a say in leaving it on 13.5. Since it's just drawer sitting I've held off putting it on iOS 26).

 

[Flappy Dunk]

Wish they would allow those with phones, capable of, but on an iOS prior to 14.8 (and the iOS upgrade 'fork') to see/get this update. I have an 11 still on 13.5.1 and the only option presented is iOS 26. And before I get flamed by the tech judgment scolds...it's currently a spare/backup phone, and I didn't own it originally so I didn't have a say in leaving it on 13.5. Since it's just drawer sitting I've held off putting it on iOS 26).

Just leave it on 13.5.1

Older iPhones on their original iOS version are rare

 

[Jumpthesnark]

iPhone SE2, updated from 18.7.3 to 18.7.7. Took a few minutes longer than I expected it would, but worked like a charm. Looks like it's available for my iPad as well, I'll do that next.

Easy to see where the update was in Settings, not hidden from me lol.

UPDATE: iPad update went well too. Glad Apple did this.

 

[FatLouie]

Hmmmm....my no longer used 15+ is on 17.6.1, set on beta 18 channel. Apple is still playing its games and not letting me update that 15+ to 18.

This is one of the reasons it sits idly by, to be used only if someone just needs to borrow a phone. I replaced the 15+ with an OPPO Find X9 Pro.

edit:: Going to have to eat my words on this one. Turning off beta 18 did not work until I restarted the 15+. After doing the restart, I can see the offer for 18.7.7 ... which I am now installing.

edit: Apple very kindly enabled Automatic Updates on the 15+ after the update to 18.7.7, so do take a look at your update settings to confirm this once the update is complete.

 

[PatrixUSA]

I wish they also put out an update for iOS 17 too

agree... as some of us don't want to bite into apple's intelligence

It's showing up on my phone on 17.7.2

🫣 see above

I would prefer 17.7.10 or .11 to be released for my 12 Pro - I already didn't like 18.

agree... has anyone fully read the full tos for iOS 18 or above, and the many legal disclosures linked therein, for what is actually being shared and where it goes with this relatively new apple intelligence "feature"?

wondering out loud if this darksword is really that scary and apple is releasing this security update to genuinely help people out of the goodness of their hearts, or simply a way to fear people into apple intelligence

edit = added link to full tos for iOS 18 and legal disclosures contained therein

 

[FatLouie]

See? It is possible to continue supporting iOS 18.

Indeed. Apple was between a rock and a hard place. The possibility for bad press from future security issues due to users not going to 26 because of LG and bugs....was too high for them to stomach.

I would love to know the true number of 26 capable devices that are still on 18 and lower.

 

[31 Flavas]

Looks like bad PR got them to change their mind about the update availability. They should just keep doing that for the foreseeable future.

I wish they also put out an update for iOS 17 too

Nah -- they just want an easy opportunity push a "planned obsolescence" patch to slowdown locked hardware or iOS 18 holdouts, right? Tim is probably rubbing his hands in glee, "got'em," right?

 

[zeus423]

I'll wait until tomorrow to update to make sure this isn't an April Fool's Day joke /s

 

[HuskerNKS]

I'll wait until tomorrow to update to make sure this isn't an April Fool's Day joke /s

I just spit out my wine...

 

[menist]

It's available for previous models too 😅, not just the one stuck on iOS 18. Just updated my 16e and 14 to it.

 

[Reason077]

some of us don't want to bite into apple's intelligence

It might depend on what iPhone model you have, but on my iPhone 13 there is pretty much zero Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.7.7. I don't think you have much to worry about.

Edit: Anything below a 15 Pro does not have Apple Intelligence.

 

[SebCohen]

What people here seems to "forget" in the euphoria about a a new update to 18 is this….

…..that even with Apple’s stellar security reputation, it can be obliterated from one day to the next in an instant.

 

[simonsea]

I’ve complained about having to upgrade to 26 to get security updates, forcing me off of 18. So now I feel I have to say thanks to apple for releasing this to everyone.
Being visually impaired moving to 26 has always concerned me, so happy to stay on 18 & now be protected against exploits.

 

[addamas]

I’ve complained about having to upgrade to 26 to get security updates, forcing me off of 18. So now I feel I have to say thanks to apple for releasing this to everyone.
Being visually impaired moving to 26 has always concerned me, so happy to stay on 18 & now be protected against exploits.

Don’t say thank you to Apple. They purposely not allowed updates past 18.7.2 for many devices where 18.7.3 up to .7.6 was released each time.

Just Press, hackers releasing source code of exploit and maybe really annoyed people forced them to do that.

 

[nt5672]

Holding back security updates to force users to update to newer unwanted versions is a signpost to the rot that has crept in at Apple.

 

[matrix6028]

I downloaded the update, but when trying to install I keep getting an error message. "Unable to Verify Update" did Apple pull the update?

 

[FatLouie]

It might depend on what iPhone model you have, but on my iPhone 13 there is pretty much zero Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.7.7. I don't think you have much to worry about.

Edit: Anything below a 15 Pro does not have Apple Intelligence.

Yep, I was so glad my 15+ was at that cusp. It does not have any of the AI stuff on it. I did check again after the 18.7.7 update just to make sure. However, my iPad Pro M4 does have the AI load, but I keep it disabled.

 

[LizKat]

I downloaded the update, but when trying to install I keep getting an error message. "Unable to Verify Update" did Apple pull the update?

Same. I deleted the update from storage and re-downloaded, but same error. Running 18.7.6 on XR with plenty storage left.

EDIT: Well here is a weirdness: XR now says it is running 18.7.7 in the "About" info. Yet it thinks it has not installed the 18.7.7 update even though successfully re-dowloaded it and went through the preparation phase before stalling on verification and adding that "iOS 18.7.7 update is not available now, please try later." ?!

 

[vicmarto]

Same here (iPhone XR too).

 

[LizKat]

Same here (iPhone XR too).

Hmmm... after reading the below, I'm going to delete the re-download from storage, and turn off automatic downloads for awhile. I trust the XR knows it's running 18.7.7.

iPhone XR: iOS 18.7.7 re-prompt, "Verific… - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com

 

[LizKat]

The question per cited discussion above seems to be whether 18.7.7 build 22H333 (which is what my XR had successfully updated to) is correct, and protective, or if the unsigned build 22H340 of yesterday is needed but has been pulled back for some reason. What a mess.