The iOS 26.1 update comes with a bunch of new features, but it also includes a whopping 56 security fixes for iPhone users.

Apple iPhone

Update Nov. 05: This article, originally published on Nov. 04, has been updated to include expert analysis of the issues patched in iOS 26.1, other updates released alongside iOS 26.1 an explanation of why there is no iOS 18 update.

Apple has released iOS 26.1, along with a warning to update now. The iOS 26.1 update comes with a bunch of new features, but it also includes a whopping 56 security fixes for iPhone users.

Apple doesn’t provide much detail about what’s fixed in iOS 26.1, to allow as many users as possible to update before attackers can get hold of the details. But among the issues patched in iOS 26.1 are multiple flaws in WebKit, the engine that underpins the Safari browser. Tracked as CVE-2025-43495, one of the flaws could see an app able to monitor keystrokes without user permission, according to the iPhone maker’s support page.

Meanwhile, a flaw in the Kernel at the heart of the iOS operating system could see an app able to cause unexpected system termination.

Apple’s iOS 26.1 also fixes a flaw in its Stolen Device Protection tracked as CVE-2025-43422, which could see an attacker with physical access to a device able to disable Stolen Device Protection.

Experts Warn iOS 26.1 Is ‘A Substantial Update’

Apple’s iOS 26.1 is “a substantial update”, addressing more than 50 security issues affecting the Apple Neural Engine and WebKit, says Adam Boynton, senior security strategy manager EMEIA at Jamf.

Both of these are “critical to how iPhones process AI tasks and render web content,” he explains. “Left unpatched, flaws in these components could lead to data corruption or expose sensitive information through malicious web content or compromised apps,” Boynton warns.

Among the patches in iOS 26.1, there are “many WebKit fixes for data exfiltration across sites and crash-on-visit issues,” says Jake Moore, global cybersecurity advisor at ESET. Updating to iOS 26.1 “will reduce those pressing new vulnerabilities that are very likely to be exploited by threat actors,” Moore advises.

But Where Is The iOS 18 Update?

As keen Apple watchers may have noticed, the iOS 26.1 update has been issued on its own. There is no iOS 18 update for those who want to wait to upgrade to iOS 26 — the last one was iOS 18.7.1. Two days after the release of iOS 26.1, I am starting to wonder if one is coming at all.

If this is the case, Apple has stopped updating iOS 18 with security fixes alongside its latest operating system. This means you must upgrade to iOS 26.1 to stay secure. Apple will still update iOS 18 with emergency fixes, but this will only be applicable to iPhones that can’t run iOS 26 due to age.

Other Updates Issued Alongside iOS 26.1

Apple issued iOS 26.1 and iPadOS 26.1 alongside updates for its other devices.

These include macOS Tahoe 26.1, macOS Sequoia 15.7.2 and macOS Sonoma 14.8.2 for Macs and laptops , tvOS 26.1 for Apple TVs, watchOS for the Apple Watch, visionOS 26.1 for the Apple Vision Pro headset, Safari 26.1 and Xcode 26.1. The updates all include patches for numerous issues in Apple devices, so should be applied as soon as possible.

Bugs Squashed in iOS 26.1

Apple’s iOS 26.1 addresses bugs in the previous version iOS 26.0.1, including issues with the Keyboard and a problem that could see devices sleep unexpectedly while using certain apps on the Lock Screen.

However, initial reviews of iOS 16.1 are mixed, with one post on Reddit saying the software is “much faster like you can tell a difference in performance,” on their iPhone 17 Pro.

But others claim there are still issues with the keyboard and Photos in iOS 26.1. “In Messages, photos tab in the contact is still broken and doesn’t display all the photos and the tab sometimes doesn’t exist,” another Reddit user posted.

Apple Is Prepping iOS 26.2

Now iOS 26.1 is out, Apple has started work on iOS 26.2, which you can expect to see in January 2026. The iOS 26.2 update will add AirPods Live Translation to the EU, new changes to Reminders, and add a Lock Screen Liquid Glass slider. In the meantime, Apple may release another update including bug fixes and security updates in December, in the form of iOS 26.1.1.

Why You Should Update To iOS 26.1 Now

Apple’s iOS 26.1 update is one of the biggest security upgrades I’ve seen in some time, including over 50 fixes for iPhones and iPads. There is no update for iOS 18 yet, either.

Some of the issues fixed in iOS 26.1 are pretty serious, although none are known to have been exploited in attacks, yet.

This means if you update your iPhone to iOS 26.1 now, your device will remain as secure as possible.

The iOS 26.1 update also includes Apple’s new on the fly security upgrades, Background Security Improvements to ensure your iPhone remains as secure as possible going forward.

Background Security Improvements is “a particularly important step forward” because it removes the need for users to manually install every update and ensures critical patches are deployed faster across the ecosystem, says Boynton.

The takeaway is simple, says Boynton: “Do not delay installing iOS 26.1.”

Apple’s iOS 26.1 is available for the iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later.

So what are you waiting for? Go to your Settings > General > Software Update and upgrade to iOS 26.1 now.