Apple confirms hidden iOS 26 security update, and Google confirms silent iOS 18 spyware compromise. What you need to know and do.

Since November, shadowy attackers have been using the 'DarkSword' iOS exploit to hack vulnerable iPhones on certain iOS 18 versions.

OS 26.4 is almost here, packed with a lot of new features, including three that have a good chance of becoming daily go-tos for users.

Apple provided developers and public beta testers with the release candidate versions of iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4, which means we're going to see a public launch as soon as next week. The RC versions of the software include Apple's official release notes,

OS 26.3.1(a) arrives as a background security update with a WebKit navigation API input-validation fix, with no new features expected.

OS 26.4 comes packed with many new features, including brand new Ambient Music widgets that can be added to the iPhone’s Home Screen.

Apple today introduced the second-generation version of its over-ear AirPods Max headphones, and some of the software requirements in the fine print give us some insight into when Apple's iOS 26.4 update will be released to the public.

Software updates tend to come with game-changing improvements to the user experience, but iOS 26 includes fresh bugs that have really riled up some Redditors.