Apple has released iOS 26.5, along with a warning to update now. That’s because iOS 26.5 fixes a hefty list of over 60 security flaws, many of which are serious.

Apple doesn’t provide much detail about what’s fixed in iOS 26.5, to give iPhone users time to update before attackers can get hold of the details.

The list of iOS 26 patches include six in the Kernel at the heart of the iOS operating system including CVE-2026-28951, which could allow an app to gain root privileges. The iOS 26.5 update also fixes around a dozen bugs in WebKit, which underpins the Safari browser, according to Apple’s support page .

Apple’s iOS 26.5 comes just a couple weeks after the iOS 26.4.2 emergency iPhone upgrade, which fixed a serious notifications bug that could enable someone to read your deleted notifications.

Alongside iOS 26.5, Apple has released iPadOS 17.7.11, iOS 16.7.16 and iOS 15.8.8, patching the same notifications flaw.

Apple has also released iOS 18.7.9, including similar fixes to iOS 26.5 for older devices. Sadly for those looking to stay on iOS 18, this confirms that iOS 18.7.7 and iOS 18.7.8 — which could be applied to newer iPhones — were a rare occurrence due to the seriousness of the patches.

Apple’s iOS 26.5 comes six weeks after the last major point update iOS 26.4 , which included 37 security fixes .

Apple’s iOS 26.5 Adds RCS to iPhones

Along with security and bug fixes in iOS 26.5, Apple has also added a number of new features, the most significant of which is RCS. While Apple’s iMessage is encrypted for messaging between users, messages between Android devices and iPhones is not — until now.

From iOS 26.5, Android and Apple users will be able to enjoy more privacy via RCS messaging, in beta to start, as long as your carrier supports this and your iPhone can run iOS 26.

Why You Should Update To iOS 26.5 Now

The iOS 26.5 upgrade includes one of the longest list of security flaws I have ever seen in an Apple release. This alone makes it worth updating as soon as possible.

Jake Moore, global cybersecurity advisor at ESET, warns that spyware remains a big problem for Apple’s iPhones. “Issues such as WebKit zero days are especially concerning because simply visiting a malicious webpage could be enough to trigger them, with no download or even any user interaction required to cause damage,” he explains.

This, in addition to “the sheer volume of updates in this latest version” makes it worth upgrading to iOS 26.5 now, he says.

So, what are you waiting for? Go to your iPhone’s Settings > General > Software Update and download and install iOS 26.5 now.