They are some of the world’s most popular smartphones.
But if you have an iPhone, be sure to update it as soon as possible to avoid serious security issues.
Apple has released the iOS 18.6 update, which includes 29 urgent security fixes.
Cybersecurity experts warn that users should update ‘as quickly as possible’ to avoid exposing their sensitive data to hackers.
According to Apple’s support page, some may allow your iPhone to leak sensitive information to malicious web pages or allow apps to access your data.
Josh Stein, VP of strategy, security at Jamf, says: ‘The positive news from Apple is that none of these vulnerabilities have been exploited in the wild.
‘However, this should not delay users from updating their devices to iOS 18.6.
‘Keeping devices up to date with the latest patches is one of the most effective ways to safeguard against attackers.’
Apple is currently staying tight-lipped about the specific details of the security vulnerabilities in question.
This is standard practice for security updates and is done so that people have time to update their devices before cybercriminals figure out how to exploit the issues.
However, Apple says that many of the issues relate to the iPhone’s WebKit, the set of tools that allows Safari to present web content.
Mr Stein says: ‘A significant number of fixes are in WebKit, which is not unusual for an iOS security release.
‘The vulnerabilities fixed could allow attackers to access sensitive user information or cause denial of service.’
One of the flaws, tracked as CVE-2025-4322, would allow an attacker to extract sensitive information through a fraudulent website.
Another set of bugs affects Apple’s CoreAudio and CoreMedia frameworks, which are what your iPhone uses to process audio and media data.
These play a big role in a wide range of apps and are involved in managing memory, which means they can be a tempting target for cybercriminals.
In addition to fixing these security issues, iOS 18.6 also fixes a glitch which sometimes means users are unable to share ‘memory movies’.
This is an AI-powered feature which allows users to choose a specific set of photos to be stitched together into a short film.
However, there is no update on iOS 18’s other persistent bugs, which include the Mail app freezing as well as issues with WiFi connectivity and unexpected battery drain.
Additionally, Mr Stein points out issues with how the device handles network communications pose ‘significant security risks.’
Mr Stein adds: ‘Given that this update is smaller and largely focused on security enhancements, we recommend users update as quickly as possible.’
Alongside iOS 18.6, Apple has also released the iPadOS 17.7.9 security update for older iPads, which can’t update to iPadOS 18.
Apple has also released updates for its other devices, including Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro.
With the release of iOS 26 and the iPhone 17 currently expected in Autumn, this is probably going to be the last major update before then.
That means it is especially important to update now, particularly if you don’t plan on upgrading to iOS 26 immediately after it is released.
The update is compatible with all iPhone models that can currently run iOS 18.
That means all models from the iPhone XS onwards will be able to install iOS 18.6, including the second and third-generation iPhone SE.
To install the update, open the Settings app on your iPhone.
If you have automatic downloads enabled, the update will have been installed overnight, provided your iPhone was charging and connected to Wi-Fi.
But, if that isn’t the case, you should see a notification reading ‘Software Update Available’ from the Settings homepage.
Tapping this notification will bring you to the Software Update page, where you can see any new updates as they are released.
If iOS 18.6 is available, simply select ‘Install Now’ or, if the option reads ‘Download and Install’, tap it to download the update, enter your passcode, and then tap Install Now.
THE TRILLION DOLLAR RISE OF APPLE
1976: Founders Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne created the company on April 1 1976 as they set about selling computer kits to hobbyists, each of which was built by Wozniak.
The first product was the Apple I.
1977: Apple released the Apple II in June, which was the first PC made for the mass market.
1981: Jobs became chairman.
1984: The Macintosh was introduced during an ad break for the Super Bowl and later officially unveiled during a launch event. It was discontinued a year later and Jobs left the firm.
1987: Apple released the Macintosh II, the first colour Mac.
1997: Apple announces it will acquire NeXT software in a $400 million deal that involves Jobs returning to Apple as interim CEO. He officially took the role in 2000.
2001: Apple introduced iTunes, OS X and the first-generation iPod.
The first iPod MP3 music player was released on October 23, 2001, at an event in Cupertino and was able to hold up to 1,000 songs.
2007: Apple unveils the iPhone.
2010: The first iPad was unveiled.
2011: Jobs resigned in 2011 due to illness, handing the CEO title to Tim Cook. Jobs died in October from pancreatic cancer.
2014: Apple unveiled the Apple Watch. It also unveiled its first larger iPhones – the 6 and 6 Plus.
2015: After purchasing Beats from Dr Dre, Apple launched Apple Music to compete with Spotify and other music streaming services.
2016: Apple returned to its roots and announced the 4-inch iPhone SE. Meanwhile, the firm is embroiled in a legal battle with the FBI, involving the agency demanding access to the locked phone used by Syed Farook, who died in a shootout after carrying out a deadly December attack in San Bernardino, California with his wife. The court order was dropped on March 28 after the FBI said a third party was able to unlock the device.
2017: Apple introduces the iPhone X, which removes the home button to make way for a futuristic edge-to-edge screen design and a new FaceID system that uses advanced sensors and lasers to unlock phones with just the owner’s face.
2018: In a first for the company, Apple introduces new features in its latest operating system, iOS 12, that encourage users to manage and spend less time on their devices. The move was spawned by a strongly worded letter from shareholders that urged the firm to address the growing problem of smartphone addiction among kids and teenagers.
2019: In January, Apple reports its first decline in revenues and profits in a decade. CEO Tim Cook partly blamed steep declines in revenue from China.
2020: In March, Apple closes all its bricks and mortar retail stores outside of China in response to coronavirus.
2021: In an online virtual event in April CEO Tim Cook declared Apple’s goal of becoming carbon neutral for Earth Day. Later in the year the iPhone 13 was announced.
2022: In September the iPhone 14 was announced. One of the new features included a new sensor to detect if a user had been in a car crash as well as an improved camera system.
2023: Apple brought back its ‘Home Pod’ after the first generation was discontinued. The ‘Home Pod’ can be seen as an alternative to Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home as it is powered by voice commands.
2024: Apple makes its first steps into artificial intelligence with the release of Apple Intelligence. The features are not all released at once with many delayed until the following year.
