Yeah, just having “potentially” in the headline means they wrote it as legally safe clickbait that Apple’s not going to attack them over, not because they think it’s true.
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Forbes reporting Apple potentially forcing people to upgrade to iOS 26.2
- Thread starter simers
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Yes but that is not new.
That has been the case since mid September.
For anyone still on 18 they can update to 18.7.2, 18.7.3 RC, 26.1 or 26.2 RC.
Nothing has changed.
Scroll all the way to the bottom…18 updates are there. As usual process, the new OS is offered as an upgrade at the bottom of the screen for the first couple of months, then switches to the primary with the previous OS updates still available at the bottom.
Also, update is staying in the same version, upgrade is moving to the next version. The badge is notifying of the upgrade available. If you stay on 18, the update will light up when 18.7.3 or 18.3 drops.
well as someone who doesn't use CarPlay (no car recent enough) ios26.1 seems ok, ie fitness/health seems to work, books seems to work, the calculator works, the telephone and text messages work , the time screen is a bit odd at first but no issues from my usage (individual experiences will vary), unless the wheels fall off I don't expect any real issues with ios26.2 (maybe I don't have high enough expectations)
All my devices I keep up to date except my production app server. I always keep it 1 version OS behind (but always security updates). This allows me to test everything thoroughly to make sure there is no breaking changes and by the time I upgrade I get all of the bug fixes and improvements. That might change is next year is a snow leopard type update.
There is no force greater than the tide of suggestion.
I worked-through (bleary-eyed) the "auto-update' conundrum this morning when faced with the prospect of the selection of (the dual) updates on my iPhone.
Ultimately, I chose to scroll-through the modal, and eventually select the 18.x.y
I am not inclined to assert that Apple is 'forcing' anyone. I am inclined to say that (from my perspective) Apple front-loaded the update process 🤷♂️
I’d argue there’s a similar amount of fearmongering going on in these forums about upgrading to iOS 26. It’s not a perfect OS, but neither was iOS 18. iOS 26 runs fine, and in some ways much better than 18 did on my devices.
iPadOS 26.2 RC on my test mule runs fine—I used it all day yesterday without feeling the need to rush back to 18. Very good performance on an old unit BUT I’m unimpressed with the glitz of LG. Color me jaded.
The amount of pop-ups i get daily to upgrade to ios26 and macos26 is just so annoying, this wasn't the case with major os updates a year ago. Apple screwed up and they know it, the amount of people lagging behind on major os updates must be bigger than before.
...and I'd argue, I still run iOS 17.7.2 just because iOS 18 already pissed me off!
Their tech reporters are abysmal.
Whichever OS you use, keep it up-to-date:
26.2 fixes a lot of security issues that were being actively exploited:
support.apple.com
But 18.7.3 had plenty of security fixes too:
support.apple.com
26.2 fixes a lot of security issues that were being actively exploited:
About the security content of iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 - Apple Support
This document describes the security content of iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2.
But 18.7.3 had plenty of security fixes too:
About the security content of iOS 18.7.3 and iPadOS 18.7.3 - Apple Support
This document describes the security content of iOS 18.7.3 and iPadOS 18.7.3.
And yet I thought Steve Forbes did a pretty good job on SNL back in the day. Oh well.
iOS 18.7.3 fixes two remote vulnerabilities in .2.Whichever OS you use, keep it up-to-date:
26.2 fixes a lot of security issues that were being actively exploited:
About the security content of iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 - Apple Support
This document describes the security content of iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2.
But 18.7.3 had plenty of security fixes too:
About the security content of iOS 18.7.3 and iPadOS 18.7.3 - Apple Support
This document describes the security content of iOS 18.7.3 and iPadOS 18.7.3.
I removed OTA blocker to see if it was being offered to my 16Pro, and at least so far, it is not.
Only iOS 26, which I have zero interest in.
I'll wait a couple days and see if it appears, then I'll have to make a decision about installing 26.2 garbage.