Khaberni - Apple has issued a crucial warning to millions of iPhone users, stressing the necessity of updating the operating system to iOS 26 within the next six weeks; to ensure device security and protect them from serious vulnerabilities that previously threatened phones running older systems.
The warning comes after a series of security patches issued by the company in mid-December, closing gaps that allow complex cyber attacks targeting the phones' primary browser.
According to analysts, such a strong warning has not been activated before, making the current time period critical for iPhone users still on older versions of the system.
Essential Update
In December, Apple released updates to address advanced security vulnerabilities in WebKit, a platform within the Safari browser used in many applications to handle online content. Despite the availability of the updates, many devices have not received them yet; because users have not updated yet, leaving millions of devices at risk of threats.
The existence of these vulnerabilities in a primary browser means any attempt to browse malicious content can be exploited to access user data or control parts of the device, if updates are not installed.
It should be noted that Apple included in the iOS 26.2 update over 25 important security fixes, some of which were already available, but many users ignored the update, prompting the company to emphasize the need for an urgent upgrade.
According to reports, a period of six weeks is sufficient to update the majority of eligible iPhone devices to iOS 26. Even before the expected release of iOS 26.3 update soon, reports advise users not to delay updating their devices, but to install iOS 26 as soon as it is available to obtain the necessary security patches, in addition to enhanced privacy features.
Upcoming Improvements
Among the features included in future iOS updates is a new privacy setting that allows users to determine the location accuracy that can be used by telecommunication networks, reducing the possibility of tracking the device via network towers and enhancing the protection of sensitive location data.
This feature is similar to what some other platforms have introduced on competing phones and aims to give users more control over their privacy and personal data.
Essential Recommendation for Users
Based on current information, the safest step for iPhone users is to update their devices to iOS 26 now, without waiting for future updates.
This includes restarting the phone after the update to fully activate the security patches.
It is also advised to activate automatic updates within the system settings to receive security updates as soon as they are released, thus avoiding the potential risks associated with older versions.
