Should you skip an update?

[Steven SANH]

I have an iPhone 14 Pro Max and am still running iOS 17.7 (I'm happy with this, but I feel I'm getting left behind if I don't update?)

Currently I have the option to update to either 18.7.8 or 26.5

Should I jump straight to 26.5, or is it a better option to update to the 18.7.8 first?

Alternatively, is it better to simply stay on 17.7 for the iPhone 14 Pro Max? (and maybe 26+ for a newer iPhone)

 

[kissfan]

Update. I run 26.5 on the same phone and it runs fine.

Not updating keeps you behind on security updates.

 

[FeliApple]

OP, ignore the appalling, ridiculous advice given above and stay behind.

You give absolutely no valid reason for updating. You’re never getting the battery life and performance back if you update. Unless there’s an app that loses compatibility that it’s utterly and absolutely crucial, and there’s nothing you can do to circumvent this (many times the solution is trivial without updating), updating is always detrimental.

My iPhone 16 Plus runs and will run iOS 18. Do yourself a favour and stay on 17.

 

[kissfan]

OP, ignore people telling you not to update. I can do that too.

 

[capamac]

Apple does security maintenace updates for older iOS versions.

 

[FeliApple]

OP, ignore people telling you not to update. I can do that too.

It’s a pointless, endless run. That’s why I’m so harsh with that advice. It’s pointless fear-mongering that never ends. When iOS 28 drops and further impacts the device you will say… what? “Update for security reasons as 26 or 27 are ”””””””insecure””””””, which would further worsen the device’s performance and battery life.

All of this scaremongering has made it so people update anything and everything pointlessly until they really push too far and the device’s quality is gone forever.

I have nothing against you specifically, but I will always be extremely harsh towards this advice. People listen to people parroting this and think that everyone who stays behind is getting hacked left and right (false), and they just believe this advice.

All this manages to do is kill devices for no reason (because once the OP listens to you and updates forever, the device will be “insecure” anyway. It’s pointless).

 

[UliBaer]

Update to iOS 18.7.8. I did and it's relatively ok. I still prefer iOS 17.7.2, but some apps required an update to iOS 18, so I bit the bullet and did it. It is mainly ok and security wise you are well on course, but I won't touch iOS 26 with a ten foot pole - ymmv though... 🤔

 

[throAU]

I have an iPhone 14 Pro Max and am still running iOS 17.7 (I'm happy with this, but I feel I'm getting left behind if I don't update?)

Currently I have the option to update to either 18.7.8 or 26.5

Should I jump straight to 26.5, or is it a better option to update to the 18.7.8 first?

Alternatively, is it better to simply stay on 17.7 for the iPhone 14 Pro Max? (and maybe 26+ for a newer iPhone)

Skipping is fine.

staying on 17.x prevents a lot of improved security features from being installed.