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.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Forbes reporting Apple potentially forcing people to upgrade to iOS 26.2
- Thread starter simers
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
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.
Abydos
macrumors 6502
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)
Hajj.david
macrumors 6502a
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.
splifingate
Contributor
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 🤷♂️
IceCool
macrumors 6502a
I cannot stand even seeing the “Apple Issues Major New Warning to 1 Billion iPhone Users” headline on the News Widget every ****ing day.
Last edited by a moderator:
headlessmike
macrumors 68000
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.
AlanMarron
macrumors 6502
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.
mihighil
macrumors regular
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.
UliBaer
macrumors 6502a
...and I'd argue, I still run iOS 17.7.2 just because iOS 18 already pissed me off!
Their tech reporters are abysmal.
They are not forcing you to do anything. You can stay on your current OS. They are telling you that an upgrade is available. That doesn't mean you have to upgrade to it.
HouseLannister
macrumors 68040
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.
boswald
macrumors 68030
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.
SalisburySam
macrumors 65816
For whatever reason, I cannot go to v18.7.3. I was able to update my iPadPro to v18.7.3, but my iPhone13minis do not have that option. They want v26.2 only. Both are currently on v18.7.2 with no v18.7.3 available, even scrolling all the way to the bottom of the Software Update screen.
Forbes is worse than just bad for tech info. Forbes's tech commentary is always misleading, except when it simply is flat wrong. Sorry but I will read no further because discussing anything tech that starts with a reference to Forbes is a waste of bandwidth.
You have to enable the Developer Betas -- search for Beta in Settings, then signin with a Developer account, then enable iOS 18 Developer Beta. Then the System Updates screen will offer 18.7.3 as an OTA update.
Someone on another thread highlighted this way to access 18.7.3 for iOS 26 eligible hardware. Can't find the exact message to reference back to but thankful. Didn't want to leave my phone open to these vulnerabilities but didn't want to upgrade to iOS 26.
Not sure the downsides to this yet. Will it make other updates harder? If I have to reinstall my phone will it let me install iOS 18 again or would I be forced to 26 at that point anyway? Is it sending [more] telemetry back to Apple?
Welcome further details from those with more experience having their phones enrolled in the Developer Beta.
Try switching to the iOS 18 Beta channel, it may appear.
Not sure why it’s available on iPads but not iPhones.
There is no downsides to using the Developer beta profile, it’s the same build as the regular 18.7.3.
However, no matter which version you are using, if you have to reinstall iOS or have any work done on your phone by a certified authorized Apple retailer, you will have no choice but to upgrade to 26.
This is not exclusive to having been enrolled in the beta, this is just how it is for any device still running 18.
Apple is no longer signing fresh installs of anything pre-26.1 at this point.
Already got bit last time.
See https://discussions.apple.com/thread/256114786?sortBy=newest_first&page=6
Tried to bring it up again but was blocked from site.
Apple doing some fancy dancing with word "Continue".
Have had an established Apple setup
that each update manages to break in some tiny fashion
until it becomes unusable
and not necessarily better.
See https://discussions.apple.com/thread/256114786?sortBy=newest_first&page=6
Tried to bring it up again but was blocked from site.
Apple doing some fancy dancing with word "Continue".
Have had an established Apple setup
that each update manages to break in some tiny fashion
until it becomes unusable
and not necessarily better.