Apple Urges iPhone Users Running Outdated iOS Versions to Update Immediately

[bluecoast]

Nah. I’m terrified to be constantly spied by Chinese but I’m also terrified to use a much slower iPhone just for the security updates. Why I can’t have my cake and eat it too?

Apple is getting desperate to push more people using iOS 26 with all the brand new disasters built in.

Just flip a remote switch to brick the managed devices unless they get updated to latest version of iOS, bars people having a phone call or running certain application. That’ll do the trick.

I rolled my eyes at people who didn’t update.

But now I’m thinking that this is a good rule of thumb:

Stay on the version of iOS that your iPhone was originally meant to ship with & only get a new iPhone when Apple won’t support that version with security updates.

I like new features sure.

But not at the expense of my phone massively slowing down, its battery life being degraded and getting regressions etc. from Apple’s ‘improvements’.

My 16e didn’t ship with 26. But I’ll get on the 27 boat asap to get off this titanic of a release.

27 is surely going to be better.

Right? Right?

Curiously my m3 MBA is as fast as ever with Tahoe on it, even though it shipped with Sonoma.

 

[Scottsoapbox]

Users who are unable to update their devices can alternatively turn on Lockdown Mode, which will offer protection from the attacks on out-of-date software. Lockdown Mode is available in iOS 16 or later, and it works by blocking hacking vectors like images in Messages and malicious websites.

If you can’t update to 15 use this feature in 16+. 🤦‍♂️

 

[platinumaqua]

Exactly this. There are still macOS updates for 14.x and 15.x even though those Macs can run 26.x [sadly, as you and I know, some of those updates also break things, but I digress]. I still have 17.7.2 on my 13 mini - if there was a zero day issue, I would expect a 17.7.3, and not forcing me to move to 26.x.

17 series goes up to 17.7.10 now, but only for certain iPads. They're already doing the work to create those updates; how hard is it to click some buttons to compile it for all initially supported devices?

 

[platinumaqua]

No way, keep your Fisher Price OS for yourself or stick it, where the sun doesn't shine! I already canned the 18 abomination... 🤮 I keep running 17.7.2, which no hacker is interested in! Love it! 👍

[edit] When my iPhone finally goes belly up, I'm certainly gone for good...

I'm still on 17.7.2 for my primary devices too, but its days are numbered: looking at that update last month updating the certificates so iMessages and FaceTime keep working past 2027.

 

[leifp]

Yeah, dick move Apple. Particularly since I’m a holdout. I have iPadOS 26.3 (“upgraded” on 26.2) and although they made some notable improvements there are not nearly enough of them nor are they good enough. I continue to hold out with all other Apple devices that I own because the UX remains offensive to my eyes and hands.

If you force this on me, which this particular issue is likely to do, I will be even less likely to update (purchase new) my iOS based devices. And that will impact odd devices because Apple is tarnished (no, not that kind) and thus I won’t be upgrading my Watch Ultra this autumn nor my AppleTV until the present device no longer receives any updates. I was kinda tempted by the iPhone Air (I’d rather have a new mini) but not with this behaviour. I’m also in the market for the next generation iPad mini… but not with this behaviour.

And that doesn’t even include Apple’s have-it-both-ways behaviour on high prices for privacy and security but then double dipping on advertising to its own captive market.

Still stuck on the Mac Studio because there are no alternatives. Unless there’s an awesome Mac Pro update!

 

[I7guy]

Yeah, dick move Apple. Particularly since I’m a holdout. I have iPadOS 26.3 (“upgraded” on 26.2) and although they made some notable improvements there are not nearly enough of them nor are they good enough. I continue to hold out with all other Apple devices that I own because the UX remains offensive to my eyes and hands.

YMMV. We have iOS 26 on 2 iPhones, 2 iPads and our new Neo. I really like the iOS 26.

If you force this on me, which this particular issue is likely to do, I will be even less likely to update (purchase new) my iOS based devices.

Of course that’s your decision to make. Apple imo has done the math and they don’t care.

And that will impact odd devices because Apple is tarnished (no, not that kind) and thus I won’t be upgrading my Watch Ultra this autumn nor my AppleTV until the present device no longer receives any updates. I was kinda tempted by the iPhone Air (I’d rather have a new mini) but not with this behaviour. I’m also in the market for the next generation iPad mini… but not with this behaviour.

This years Apple loot includes an Apple TV, iPad Pro m5 and the MacBook neo.

And that doesn’t even include Apple’s have-it-both-ways behaviour on high prices for privacy and security but then double dipping on advertising to its own captive market.

I don’t even care about that at this point.

Still stuck on the Mac Studio because there are no alternatives. Unless there’s an awesome Mac Pro update!

The m5 isn’t awesome enough. But hey ymmv, we’re are all in here to iOS 26.

 

[falkon-engine]

From bleeping computer:

“DarkSword targets iPhones running iOS 18.4 through 18.7”. Yet this macrumors article makes it seem like no one on iOS 18 was vulnerable.

What is the disconnect ?

 

[darngooddesign]

So much for those who like to keep their devices 10 or 15 years.

Anyone using a 15 year-old iPhone probably isn’t doing a lot of web browsing on it so I doubt they’re going to encounter the malicious content they’re talking about.

 

[txmike418]

From bleeping computer:

“DarkSword targets iPhones running iOS 18.4 through 18.7”. Yet this macrumors article makes it seem like no one on iOS 18 was vulnerable.

What is the disconnect ?

That was my question too!! I only heard about 18.4 - 18.7.
I think they are trying to force updates to get their numbers up, just like Microsoft did with Windows 10. IMO

 

[Howard2k]

That was my question too!! I only heard about 18.4 - 18.7.
I think they are trying to force updates to get their numbers up, just like Microsoft did with Windows 10. IMO

The current version of iOS 18 is 18.7.5.

Surely you're not suggesting that Apple should re-issue 18.4 - 18.7 with security patches rather than users use the iOS 18 security patches in 18.7.5?

I don't think that's Apple forcing updates to "get their numbers up". I think it's you not understanding how version numbers work.

I could be misunderstanding you point.

To be clear - iOS 18 is not at risk of this today, as long as you're running the latest version of iOS 18. Apple won't make a bespoke version of iOS 18 just for you if you want to stay on iOS 18.4 or whatever. They have never had that mode of operation.

 

[Radin.Y]

Read again. "Apple today urged iPhone users who are running iOS 13 or iOS 14 to upgrade to iOS 15"

But iOS 15 is not available if you're running 16 or 17.
They should release these important security patches for all the operating systems separately, instead of forcing someone to upgrade to a different iOS. I'd wager for a company like Apple, they have the manpower to handle that task.

 

[Radin.Y]

The current version of iOS 18 is 18.7.5.

Surely you're not suggesting that Apple should re-issue 18.4 - 18.7 with security patches rather than users use the iOS 18 security patches in 18.7.5?

I don't think that's Apple forcing updates to "get their numbers up". I think it's you not understanding how version numbers work.

I could be misunderstanding you point.

To be clear - iOS 18 is not at risk of this today, as long as you're running the latest version of iOS 18. Apple won't make a bespoke version of iOS 18 just for you if you want to stay on iOS 18.4 or whatever. They have never had that mode of operation.

They should just release security patch for iOS 16 and 17 separately, instead of telling people with devices running those that they must upgrade to 18.

 

[leifp]

YMMV. We have iOS 26 on 2 iPhones, 2 iPads and our new Neo. I really like the iOS 26.

Of course that’s your decision to make. Apple imo has done the math and they don’t care.

This years Apple loot includes an Apple TV, iPad Pro m5 and the MacBook neo.

I don’t even care about that at this point.

The m5 isn’t awesome enough. But hey ymmv, we’re are all in here to iOS 26.

“I don’t care” is fine. But why state it? Cause then you do care.

I have no issues with Apple hardware. I have issues with their software and their advertising. By all means, read my posts and shrug! But your statements don’t invalidate nor illuminate much.

I use my Apple devices for work. And I use them in design and UX work. And for that OS26 is a massive downgrade. And I’m not remotely referring to Liquid Glass which is merely an annoyance and something that will, indeed, get better/more controlled/backgrounded. And can be wonderful if you like it! There are still those who miss skeuomorphism. I’m referring to how the OSes actually interact with users and there is a high consensus in the design fields that Apple must have been hit by frost…

 

[I7guy]

“I don’t care” is fine. But why state it? Cause then you do care.

I have no issues with Apple hardware. I have issues with their software and their advertising. By all means, read my posts and shrug! But your statements don’t invalidate nor illuminate much.

I use my Apple devices for work. And I use them in design and UX work. And for that OS26 is a massive downgrade. And I’m not remotely referring to Liquid Glass which is merely an annoyance and something that will, indeed, get better/more controlled/backgrounded. And can be wonderful if you like it! There are still those who miss skeuomorphism. I’m referring to how the OSes actually interact with users and there is a high consensus in the design fields that Apple must have been hit by frost…

I’m not trying to invalidate or illuminate, I’m pointing to where I come from and my opinions.

Advertising, I don’t care , bring it on. It’s not in my sphere to even care about it at this point.

To me iOS 26 is a breath of fresh air but ymmv. I don’t see it as a downgrade and love the way it looks on Tahoe.

 

[MathersMahmood]

This is why I upgrade every year.

 

[Tim Jobs the 2nd]

To me iOS 26 is a breath of fresh air but ymmv. I don’t see it as a downgrade and love the way it looks on Tahoe.

Agreed but some people are adverse to any change.

 

[Yr Blues]

And when Apple requires biometric authentication to use the computer, people will obey.

 

[UliBaer]

Fisher Price OS lol ok.

So you'll switch to Android and use Snickerdoodle or Pumpkin Latte or whatever they call that year's version

No, I'm already actively exploring alternatives like GrapheneOS, LineageOS and similar. The security is way beyond anything Google or Apple can offer and the options are limitless.

I'm still on 17.7.2 for my primary devices too, but its days are numbered: looking at that update last month updating the certificates so iMessages and FaceTime keep working past 2027.

I have only very few incorrigible contacts, that use iMessage and literally only my niece always contacts me via Facetime. Signal is my choice for nearly all my contacts and they know that. So I am not imprisoned by Apple and never was. I could absolutely survive and live well without iMessage and Facetime.

 

[robertosh]

I miss those days when there was a new iOS release with such great features that made you considering upgrading on Day 1. It seems that now the only reason to upgrade is because security patches.

 

[I7guy]

No, I'm already actively exploring alternatives like GrapheneOS, LineageOS and similar. The security is way beyond anything Google or Apple can offer and the options are limitless.

Good for you. I think security without an active ecosystem is boring, but that’s me.

I have only very few incorrigible contacts, that use iMessage and literally only my niece always contacts me via Facetime. Signal is my choice for nearly all my contacts and they know that. So I am not imprisoned by Apple and never was. I could absolutely survive and live well without iMessage and Facetime.

Good. Pick the platform that suits you best.

 

[I7guy]

I miss those days when there was a new iOS release with such great features that made you considering upgrading on Day 1. It seems that now the only reason to upgrade is because security patches.

I don’t agree with. Maybe to you it seems like the only reason to upgrade is security patches, but to me it’s new and enhanced functionality.

It’s unfortunate that criminals are getting more savvy with zero day vulnerabilities and Apple has to fight that as hard as possible.

 

[NetMage]

And make me deal with Liquid Glass? Nice try, Apple

What, exactly, does Liquid Glass have to do with iOS 15? Were you just too lazy to read the very first sentence of the article?

 

[NetMage]

If people are still running on that old of iOS, they may not have the option to upgrade to newer versions.

Are they just supposed to toss their completely working device and buy a new one?

Too hard to read all those words in the article?

 

[I7guy]

As someone alluded to upthtead, the reason a lot of people don't update is because it includes features they don't want and won't use at the expense of diminished performance.

Having one's device not loose performance over time is important.
Having security in the device is important.

So if Apple wants everyone's devices running the latest OS, give users the one feature they really want- the ability to turn off everything introduced in the last 5 years, including LG so they can preserve device performance for the features that are important to the individual.

Pretty much everything introduced after iOS 11 is of no use to me. I can only imagine how fast my 14PM would run and how long battery would last on 11.
That would be awesome at least to try- with security updated and patched, of course.

My 14PM is doing just fine on iOS 26.

 

[Genelec8341]

My 14PM is doing just fine on iOS 26.

So is mine but I would prefer to be able to choose what services and features are in the stack instead of being forced.