You Need to Download This iOS 18 Update ASAP if You Aren’t on iOS 26
Apple took an unusual step on Wednesday, April 1, and released a new version of iOS 18.7.7 to combat a new hacking toolkit called Dark Sword. Now, more devices, like the iPhone 16ecan download the update to protect themselves from the toolkit without having to update to iOS26. This update was only available on iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max And iPhone XR models upon its initial release on March 24.
To download iOS 18.7.7, go to Settings > General > Software Update. If the update is available on your device, you should see a prompt to download and install it.
“We’ve made iOS 18.7.7 available to more devices on April 1, 2026, so users with automatic updates enabled can automatically benefit from important security protections against web attacks called DarkSword,” Apple wrote in the update’s vulnerability notes.
Apple’s decision to release this update is strange because the company generally recommends updating your device to the most recent iOS version for the best protection, rather than releasing an update to an older version. But the company still recommends users to download iOS 26 to protect their device against DarkSword.
“If possible, update to the latest version of iOS 26, which contains the strongest security protections,” Apple wrote.
About a fifth of iPhones from the last four years still run some version of iOS 18, according to Apple’s own data. This means these devices are vulnerable to DarkSword, which could access data on your device, like your messages and crypto wallets.
DarkSword attacks appear to be limited to people outside the United States, particularly in Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Ukraine, according to Google’s Threat Intelligence Group. But TechCrunch found the toolkit publicly available on GitHub. This could make it easier for more bad actors to deploy DarkSword.
“The public availability of this kit is extremely concerning given the high number of active vulnerable devices remaining,” said Christoph Hebeisen, director of security intelligence research for Lookout. said CNET’s Katelyn Chedraoui. “Opportunistic attacks using this exploit kit appear very likely.”
So if you can’t update to iOS 26 because your device doesn’t support it – or you just don’t want to update to the latest version – you need to download iOS 18.7.7 now. Seriously, please do it. And if your phone doesn’t support iOS 18, Apple suggests Lock mode to keep your device safe.
For more iOS news, here’s what you need to know iOS 26.4 and all the tips and tricks in iOS 26 NOW.
