Update now! iOS 26.3 contains dozens of critical security fixes
Summary created by Smart Answers AI
In summary:
- Macworld reports that iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 contain more than 35 critical security fixes addressing serious vulnerabilities in Apple devices.
- The update fixes a zero-day vulnerability in Dynamic Link Editor already exploited in targeted attacks, as well as kernel flaws that could grant root privileges to malicious applications.
- Users should immediately update their iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices to protect against unauthorized access and exposure of sensitive data on locked devices.
While most iPhone users rush to download the latest iOS update to experience all the new features, the latest one released this week doesn’t really have any. So it might be tempting to wait a few weeks. But there are dozens of reasons not to do so.
It’s common for almost every version of iOS and iPadOS to contain at least some security updates. Apple is working diligently to close every loophole and fix every flaw that could allow a bad actor to access your device and data. iOS and iPadOS 26.3 have over 35 security fixes, according to Apple’s security updates page.
Some seem relatively benign, but others are more serious. The most significant is a zero-day vulnerability in Dynamic Link Editor (dyld), which loads libraries required by an application, which could allow an application with memory write capability to execute arbitrary code. Apple says it is aware of a report that the flaw was used in “a highly sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals” who were using versions of iOS prior to iOS 26.
Three kernel vulnerabilities have been fixed, one of which allows a malicious application to gain root privileges. A bug in Photos could allow someone with physical access to a device to view a user’s photos from the lock screen. A pair of accessibility bugs could allow someone to view sensitive user information on a locked device.
In other words, you should update your iPhone or iPad immediately. Oh, and your Mac too; You’ll find that most of these same security fixes also apply to macOS.
To update your iPhone, open Settings, tap General, then Software Update and follow the prompts.
