Hold off on iOS 26 in 2025 - when will security updates stop?

[ibookemo]

I'm thinking of staying on iOS 18 instead of updating to iOS 26 later this year. I really like the iOS design and the functionality is super solid for me.

Is this an easy thing to do on my iPhone 16 Pro and how long do you think I'd still get security updates for the older OS?

I know that the XS iPhone will continue to get security updates for a while as it cannot run iOS 26 but I wonder what the case will be for a modern phone like the 16 Pro.

 

[krvld]

It’s not the same.

Latest security patches are always going to be on latest supported iOS version for your device.

 

[HouseLannister]

Update or perish. It’s Apple’s way or the highway.

iOS 17 got its last update in 11/24, just two months after iOS 18 came out. iOS 18 has had multiple patches since then addressing dozens of known security issues and active exploits that never made their way to iOS 17. Maybe some of those issues don’t exist on iOS 17, but likely many do.

iOS 26 will follow the same pattern most likely. iOS 18 is EOL and Apple will only support iOS 26 after Nov/Dec. Any and all issues you have with your phone are going to start with the #1 troubleshooting step: update your device.

If you stay on an old OS, assume it is insecure and can be subjected to a targeted attack at any time. Is an untargeted attack likely? Probably not. But your system is compromised. Make no assumption that it is safe.

The XS is not getting any updates. It is considered a vintage device.

If you don’t like their new OS and never want it, time to trade in for a Pixel or Galaxy phone. Vote with your wallet.

 

[ibookemo]

Update or perish. It’s Apple’s way or the highway.

iOS 17 got its last update in 11/24, just two months after iOS 18 came out. iOS 18 has had multiple patches since then addressing dozens of known security issues and active exploits that never made their way to iOS 17. Maybe some of those issues don’t exist on iOS 17, but likely many do.

iOS 26 will follow the same pattern most likely. iOS 18 is EOL and Apple will only support iOS 26 after Nov/Dec. Any and all issues you have with your phone are going to start with the #1 troubleshooting step: update your device.

If you stay on an old OS, assume it is insecure and can be subjected to a targeted attack at any time. Is an untargeted attack likely? Probably not. But your system is compromised. Make no assumption that it is safe.

The XS is not getting any updates. It is considered a vintage device.

If you don’t like their new OS and never want it, time to trade in for a Pixel or Galaxy phone. Vote with your wallet.

I think it might have been a different case maybe with iOS 17 though as every iPhone that could run iOS 17 could also be updated to iOS 18. I see iOS 16, for example, had an update at the end of March 2025 (iOS 15 too funnily enough), but not iOS 17.

 

[FeliApple]

Such scaremongering. OP, if you don’t like it, stay behind. It’s fine.

 

[ibookemo]

Such scaremongering. OP, if you don’t like it, stay behind. It’s fine.

I'm just trying to work out how long I might get security updates, it's honestly a genuine thought. I don't mean to scaremonger or anything like that. Apologies if that's how it sounded.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I'm just trying to work out how long I might get security updates, it's honestly a genuine thought. I don't mean to scaremonger or anything like that. Apologies if that's how it sounded.

Apple usually offers security updates for the older iOS versions for a little while, even on devices that support the newest iOS, but it's no guarantee. I'm guessing they do because corporate devices often stay a version or two behind for testing. It was almost 100 days after iOS 18 came out before it was an approved update on my work-provided SE 2022.

I'll probably be staying on iOS 18 until 26.1 or so.

Update or perish. It’s Apple’s way or the highway.

Oh be quiet. Do you as you wish on your device, be it Apple or otherwise.

 

[HouseLannister]

Oh be quiet.

No.

Such scaremongering. OP, if you don’t like it, stay behind. It’s fine.

I don't think it is scaremongering to tell people to update their devices.

There is no reason to encourage people not to keep their device up-to-date.

If you contact Apple with any problem with an iOS 17 device, their first step will be to have you update it to 18.5 before they begin any other troubleshooting. The same will be true for iOS 18 come September.

That said, we have already established that he is probably good for a couple months at least. It's not a Day One panic to update. Feel free to wait for the major 26.0.0 bugs to get addressed.

But as I said, if you don't like Apple's direction and have a strong negative reaction to this visual change and plan on never updating, shop for something else.

 

[ibookemo]

Apple usually offers security updates for the older iOS versions for a little while, even on devices that support the newest iOS, but it's no guarantee. I'm guessing they do because corporate devices often stay a version or two behind for testing. It was almost 100 days after iOS 18 came out before it was an approved update on my work-provided SE 2022.

I'll probably be staying on iOS 18 until 26.1 or so.



Oh be quiet. Do you as you wish on your device, be it Apple or otherwise.

It's reassuring to know that iOS 18 will get security updates for a while. I've been really enjoying its stability - I use it mainly for batch photo editing in the Photos app - it's very powerful. Thanks a million for your feedback.

 

[ibookemo]

No.


I don't think it is scaremongering to tell people to update their devices.

There is no reason to encourage people not to keep their device up-to-date.

If you contact Apple with any problem with an iOS 17 device, their first step will be to have you update it to 18.5 before they begin any other troubleshooting. The same will be true for iOS 18 come September.

That said, we have already established that he is probably good for a couple months at least. It's not a Day One panic to update. Feel free to wait for the major 26.0.0 bugs to get addressed.

But as I said, if you don't like Apple's direction and have a strong negative reaction to this visual change and plan on never updating, shop for something else.

I don't mind anything particularly about iOS 26. I just like a very stable system which iOS 18 is after almost a year of updates. Apologies if it sounded like I didn't like the visual redesign. The key feature for me of any OS is lack of bugs. Boring I know. I can enjoy iOS 26 later by reading about it - I'm very excited to see how it looks when it's finished.

Thanks for your feedback man.

 

[FeliApple]

I'm just trying to work out how long I might get security updates, it's honestly a genuine thought. I don't mean to scaremonger or anything like that. Apologies if that's how it sounded.

You weren’t the one scaremongering, you’re fine.

 

[FeliApple]

I don't think it is scaremongering to tell people to update their devices.

There is no reason to encourage people not to keep their device up-to-date.

If you contact Apple with any problem with an iOS 17 device, their first step will be to have you update it to 18.5 before they begin any other troubleshooting. The same will be true for iOS 18 come September.

That said, we have already established that he is probably good for a couple months at least. It's not a Day One panic to update. Feel free to wait for the major 26.0.0 bugs to get addressed.

But as I said, if you don't like Apple's direction and have a strong negative reaction to this visual change and plan on never updating, shop for something else.

Yes it is, by shouting about security.

The reasons are varied. Performance, battery life, and in this case, the design changes.

It’s been a recurring criticism of mine towards Apple Support. They don’t even consider anything else. Their first response to any kind of issue is just update. I’ve solved some things for which Apple recommended updating with a simple settings change that I was unaware of and a change with which a google search didn’t initially help.

I don’t have an opinion yet about iOS 26, but I’ve been staying on original versions of iOS (when Apple allowed me) since 2011, it’ll be fine.

If OP doesn’t like iOS 26 AND is happy with iOS 18, the solution is simple: stay behind, and whenever compatibility bothers you, re-evaluate. Maybe you can consider updating if you find issues intolerable. Maybe you can upgrade, and the latest device will run correctly on its original iOS version. Or maybe you can buy something else if you don’t like iOS 26’s design and it bothers you enough to consider changing.

But this decision doesn’t have to be made in September, probably not next year, and 2027 will probably be fine as well. There’s time, no need to rush with an irreversible update. In fact, if OP is worried about those three things, they’re better off staying behind now, as compatibility will be fine for a while.

Like I said, I’ve been running original iOS versions since 2011 and my last willing iOS update has been in 2013. This is how it works.

 

[ibookemo]

Yes it is, by shouting about security.

The reasons are varied. Performance, battery life, and in this case, the design changes.

It’s been a recurring criticism of mine towards Apple Support. They don’t even consider anything else. Their first response to any kind of issue is just update. I’ve solved some things for which Apple recommended updating with a simple settings change that I was unaware of and a change with which a google search didn’t initially help.

I don’t have an opinion yet about iOS 26, but I’ve been staying on original versions of iOS (when Apple allowed me) since 2011, it’ll be fine.

If OP doesn’t like iOS 26 AND is happy with iOS 18, the solution is simple: stay behind, and whenever compatibility bothers you, re-evaluate. Maybe you can consider updating if you find issues intolerable. Maybe you can upgrade, and the latest device will run correctly on its original iOS version. Or maybe you can buy something else if you don’t like iOS 26’s design and it bothers you enough to consider changing.

But this decision doesn’t have to be made in September, probably not next year, and 2027 will probably be fine as well. There’s time, no need to rush with an irreversible update. In fact, if OP is worried about those three things, they’re better off staying behind now, as compatibility will be fine for a while.

Like I said, I’ve been running original iOS versions since 2011 and my last willing iOS update has been in 2013. This is how it works.

Superb points well made! I want to take a leaf out of your book and not update too early from here on in. It's really good to know that this is a valid path and that it works out ok. Thanks man.

 

[HouseLannister]

Yes it is, by shouting about security.

You're in a thread specifically asking a question about security updates, dude.

 

[FeliApple]

You're in a thread specifically asking a question about security updates, dude.

“If you stay on an old OS, assume it is insecure and can be subjected to a targeted attack at any time. Is an untargeted attack likely? Probably not. But your system is compromised. Make no assumption that it is safe.“

 

[GioGiusi]

“If you stay on an old OS, assume it is insecure and can be subjected to a targeted attack at any time. Is an untargeted attack likely? Probably not. But your system is compromised. Make no assumption that it is safe.“

What are you trying to say? That's literal truth. And the more time goes by, the more true it becomes. The older your OS the more at risk you are. Never mind all of the things you're missing out on from free software updates. Never mind the fact that you'll eventually run into compatibility issues with apps and the web because your OS is too old.

If you're going to tell me, "well we're not talking about someone who is THAT far behind"...well, why not? The moment someone decides that they know better than Apple what operating system should be on their device, they're now on that path. You're either going to update, or you're not. If you're never going to update, you've made a terrible choice. But if you are, then there is no reason to not update now as opposed to a year or two from now.

 

[ibookemo]

Why does every forum on the internet have to turn into an argument. Must just be human nature.

 

[GioGiusi]

Why does every forum on the internet have to turn into an argument. Must just be human nature.

Well when people are very confidently wrong (as you are in this case) and only listen to the responses that validate that wrongness, that doesn't foster the most amenable discussion.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

iOS 18 will likely be the default upgrade path until December.
Your iPhone 16 will likely get iOS 18.7 in September, followed by 18.7.1, 18.7.2 and maybe even 18.7.3.
iOS 26 will then likely become the default upgrade around December, when they release 26.2.

for unsupported devices like the iPhone XS, XR and iPad 7th gen, iOS 18 should receive security updates until 2028 if past history is anything to go by.
It’s likely these devices will get iOS 18.8 in September 2026, and then 18.8 will continue getting frequent updates for about the next 18 months or so.

 

[ibookemo]

Well when people are very confidently wrong (as you are in this case) and only listen to the responses that validate that wrongness, that doesn't foster the most amenable discussion.

This actually made me laugh. Fair enough I guess.

 

[ibookemo]

iOS 18 will likely be the default upgrade path until December.
Your iPhone 16 will likely get iOS 18.7 in September, followed by 18.7.1, 18.7.2 and maybe even 18.7.3.
iOS 26 will then likely become the default upgrade around December, when they release 26.2.

for unsupported devices like the iPhone XS, XR and iPad 7th gen, iOS 18 should receive security updates until 2028 if past history is anything to go by.
It’s likely these devices will get iOS 18.8 in September 2026, and then 18.8 will continue getting frequent updates for about the next 18 months or so.

That actually sounds like a good upgrade plan then. Maybe update to iOS 26 in January when security updates for the iPhone 16/iOS 18 run out. Should keep everything secure anyway.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

That actually sounds like a good upgrade plan then. Maybe update to iOS 26 in January when security updates for the iPhone 16/iOS 18 run out. Should keep everything secure anyway.

Not only is that a good upgrade path, it’s also the upgrade path that 99% of regular customers will experience.
Customers who don’t check for updates, don’t manually update their phone, never visit that section of the settings, never mess around with it, so basically most people, won’t get iOS 26 until December/January.
Another reason I think it makes perfect sense They called it 26 and not 25.

 

[ibookemo]

Not only is that a good upgrade path, it’s also the upgrade path that 99% of regular customers will experience.
Customers who don’t check for updates, don’t manually update their phone, never visit that section of the settings, never mess around with it, so basically most people, won’t get iOS 26 until December/January.
Another reason I think it makes perfect sense They called it 26 and not 25.

That's very interesting indeed - makes perfect sense. Cool.

 

[now i see it]

how long do you think I'd still get security updates for the older OS?

iOS 15 recently got a security update June 2025

 

[Allen_Wentz]

I'm thinking of staying on iOS 18 instead of updating to iOS 26 later this year. I really like the iOS design and the functionality is super solid for me.

Is this an easy thing to do on my iPhone 16 Pro and how long do you think I'd still get security updates for the older OS?

I know that the XS iPhone will continue to get security updates for a while as it cannot run iOS 26 but I wonder what the case will be for a modern phone like the 16 Pro.

You have received quite a range of responses. Part of the reason for that is because in the earlier days of Apple OS versions problems with new OS releases were very common. So each of us developed his or her own different protocol for coping with OS version evolution. It is 2025 now and Mac OS, iOS, etc. OS versions have become relatively much less problematic immediately upon release.

As to your specific query, seven years is the most common time frame referenced for complete OS support; however security updates often go for years beyond that [e.g. now i see it's comment about iOS 15 above], but there is no guarantee that will happen.