If you have an iPhone, as of this week you can update its software from iOS 18 to the brand new version, iOS 26 – so called to now correspond with the year in which it’ll be used the most, 2026.
Apple has introduced a brand new design language and look to iOS 26 that the firm calls Liquid Glass, which updates the aesthetic to have a glassy sheen to app icons, app elements and more.
Depending on your iPhone model, you may also get several new Apple Intelligence features, plus everyone with an iPhone 11 or later is being treated to clever redesigns and improvements to core daily apps such as Messages, Photos and Mail.
But it’s not just the new free perks that should have you heading to your Settings app to download iOS 26. A security expert is warning that anyone with an iPhone should update to Apple’s latest big release in order to stay safe from potential cyber harm.
“It’s essential that all iOS users update to iOS 26 without delay, as the release addresses multiple vulnerabilities that could be exploited for unauthorised access or cause system instability,” said Adam Boynton, Senior Security Strategy Manager EMEIA at security firm Jamf.
Apple frequently updates iOS throughout the year with what are known as ‘point’ updates, which are often designed to fix pressing security issues that are affecting iPhones. For example, the last point update before iOS 26 was iOS 18.6.2.
But even though iOS 26 is a big new update, it also contains important security updates. So, even if you are hesitant to download the new, large file and install iOS 26, the advice is to do so.
“Apple has issued patches across several key components, including the Apple Neural Engine and AppleMobileFileIntegrity, where flaws could allow apps to crash the system or access sensitive data,” Boynton said.
“Security updates to WebKit, the underlying engine for Safari and other browsers, were also prioritised, fixing multiple vulnerabilities that could otherwise lead to unexpected process termination or compromise during web browsing.
“We strongly recommend that organisations and individuals update to iOS 26 as soon as possible to protect devices and data from potential exploitation.”
People have historically held off downloading new iOS updates partly because of the belief that new software will negatively affect iPhone battery life.
Apple is at pains to tell its users that this is not the case in the long term, although on a new support page on its website, the tech giant explained that you may well see a knock to battery life right after installing iOS 26.
“Immediately after completing an update, particularly a major release, you might notice a temporary impact on battery life and thermal performance,” Apple said. “This is normal, as your device needs time to complete the setup process in the background, including indexing data and files for search, downloading new assets, and updating apps.”