Apple issues emergency iOS update over “sophisticated attack” on iPhones

Apple has released an emergency iOS update, urging millions of iPhone users to install it immediately.

The Daily Mail reports that the update, iOS 26.7.1, fixes a security flaw that could let hackers make an iPhone or iPad run malicious code through a specially crafted file. It is available for the iPhone 11 and newer models still running Apple’s older software.

The flaw affects CoreGraphics, the software that helps iPhones and iPads display images and graphics. Apple said the weakness “may have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals” using versions of iOS older than iOS 27.

The company has not disclosed details of the reported attack, but its description could point to spyware, software that secretly monitors a device and collects private information.

To install the update, users should open Settings, tap General, select Software Update, then tap Download and Install or Update Now. They are advised to back up their device first.

Apple also released iPadOS 26.7.1 for supported iPads, as well as iOS 27.0.1, which fixes bugs affecting the new iPhone 18 Pro models, including random restarts after Face ID failures.