Apple Urges iPhone Users to Install Critical Security Update After Sophisticated Attack
An emergency update is available for older iPhone and iPad models to patch a vulnerability that may have been exploited.
Apple has released an emergency software update for millions of iPhone and iPad users, urging them to download it immediately to address a security flaw. The vulnerability, identified in CoreGraphics, the software responsible for displaying images and graphics, could allow hackers to execute malicious code on a device through a specially crafted file.
The update, version iOS 26.7.1 and iPadOS 26.7.1, is specifically for devices still running older versions of Apple's operating system, prior to iOS 27. Apple stated that this weakness 'may have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals.' The company has not provided further details on the reported attack but indicated its targeted nature could suggest the use of sophisticated spyware.
To install the update, users should navigate to Settings, tap General, and then select Software Update. Before proceeding, Apple recommends backing up the device to iCloud or a computer, ensuring the iPhone is connected to a power source and a stable Wi-Fi network.
Users can also enable automatic updates by going to Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates. This feature allows devices to download and install updates overnight while charging and connected to Wi-Fi, with users receiving a notification before installation. An alternative setting, 'Automatically Download,' downloads updates when the device is locked, charging, and on Wi-Fi, enabling users to install them manually.
The release of this separate security fix so soon after the general iOS 26.7 release underscores the urgency with which Apple is addressing the flaw. The patch is available for iPhone 11 and newer models that have not yet upgraded to the latest iOS version.
Separately, Apple also released iOS 27.0.1, which addresses several bugs affecting the new iPhone 18 Pro models. These issues included random restarts after Face ID authentication failures and a camera glitch causing unnatural colors in photos taken at 2x zoom under specific lighting conditions. Additionally, this update fixes a bug that could cause the touchscreen to freeze when users simultaneously accessed Notification Center and Control Center.
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models, which were released in September, were affected by these software issues, with some users reporting that a forced restart could restore functionality to the affected phones.