Apple has announced it will release an update for specific iPhones today — and announcing this in advance is pretty much unprecedented.

Apple has released a rare iOS 18 update to patch a spreading exploit for all iPhone users still running iOS 18.

Apple on Wednesday will issue software updates to devices still running iOS 18 to protect them from an exploit called DarkSword, which can silently take over an iPhone if it visits a website infected with the malicious code.

Apple has now made it possible for more iPhones still running iOS 18 to receive security updates that protect against the actively exploited DarkSword exploit kit.

Typically, after Apple introduces a new major version of its operating system, it stops pushing out the old version to compatible phones. Older phones that are incompatible with the new version continue to get security updates, but newer phones have to jump to the newer operating system to get them.

The move highlights just how serious the DarkSword threat is and that there are enough users sticking with iOS 18 for Apple to address it.

To address the DarkSword exploit, Apple now lets iOS 18 users install the iOS 18.7.7 security update instead of upgrading to iOS 26.4. If you’re still using iOS 18, update immediately.

Today Apple will issue software updates to devices still running iOS 18 to protect them from an exploit called DarkSword, reports Wired. The tech giant says it will enable iOS 18-specific fixes for mi

Apple is currently testing iOS 26.5. While the update is small, it introduces some notable changes—including ads in Apple Maps.