Updating your iPhone to the newest iOS software program takes time and space for storing, which is why so many iPhone customers delay upgrading till the final potential minute.
Nonetheless, that point for delaying is likely to be over.
That’s as a result of iOS 26, the numerous software program replace that Apple launched in September and up to date to iOS 26.2 in December, comes with the divisive Liquid Glass show look some critics hate, however iOS 26.2 is also fixing crucial security weaknesses. These embrace an App Retailer weak point permitting entry to delicate fee tokens, a FaceTime caller ID spoofing weak point, and points with Webkit, which powers your Safari browser.
However not all telephones have the software program capabilities to make this leap.
The iOS 26.2 software program replace is only compatible with the next fashions:
iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Professional, iPhone 11 Professional Max, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Professional, iPhone 12 Professional Max, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Professional, iPhone 13 Professional Max, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Professional, iPhone 14 Professional Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Professional, iPhone 15 Professional Max, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Professional, iPhone 16 Professional Max, iPhone 16e, iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Professional, iPhone 17 Professional Max, iPhone Air, iPhone SE (2nd era) and iPhone SE (third era).
In different phrases, when you’ve got a cellphone that’s older than iPhone 11, resembling an iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR, your cellphone can not assist the iOS 26 improve.
That mentioned, you continue to have one strategy to hold your cellphone secure. In case your cellphone is simply too outdated for the iOS 26, you need to hold receiving iOS 18 important safety patches upgrades you need to set up ASAP.
However if you happen to do have a cellphone that may assist iOS 26, you don’t have the choice of downloading the older iOS safety improve to keep up your older iOS with out doing the large iOS 26 replace –– you should now replace to the newest iOS or else your cellphone will likely be susceptible to malicious scammers and safety assaults. And the longer you go with out updating, the extra susceptible your cellphone turns into to those identified safety weaknesses.
“As an iPhone grows older, it would cease receiving purposeful updates, however proceed to obtain safety updates. On this timeframe, it’s fantastic to maintain utilizing your iPhone. Some apps could cease working although,” mentioned Arthur Shi, a senior technical author for iFixit, an internet site that enables folks to share tech person manuals and promote cellphone components for do-it-yourself repairs.
To determine which iPhones are nonetheless receiving safety updates, take a look at this Wikipedia chart that Shi shared as a useful visible. Shi famous that the iPhone fashions highlighted in orange stopped receiving purposeful updates however are nonetheless receiving safety updates.
For now, iPhones 6 by means of iPhone 10 are nonetheless receiving safety updates regardless that they not get purposeful updates like iOS 26 supplies. However that gained’t be ceaselessly.
“As soon as an iPhone stops receiving safety updates, you may hold utilizing it, nevertheless it’s finest to shift it out of energetic use and restrict its publicity to the web,” Shi mentioned. “Take away entry to delicate info by deleting banking apps and eradicating e mail accounts it’s possible you’ll use for account verification. You possibly can hold utilizing the iPhone as a devoted music participant, digicam, Roku distant, etcetera.”
To see for your self which iPhone mannequin you may have, go to Settings, then Common, then About to learn your listed iPhone mannequin title. This manner you may know in case your iPhone may even do the iOS 26 replace.
Then, to see in case your iPhone is updated, go to Settings, then Common, then choose Software program Replace. In case you have not but finished the iOS 26 replace or the iOS 18 safety replace for eligible telephones, your cellphone will let you already know right here.
Many iPhone customers should not glad that they’ll not delay doing the newest iOS replace, in an effort to hold their iPhone safe. Doing this type of replace is inconvenient, and it is likely to be aesthetically displeasing, nevertheless it’s sadly essential to have a secure and safe iPhone in the long term.
