The latest iPhone updates bring important security fixes and exciting new features that change how you’ll use your device. Here’s what matters for everyday users.
iOS 18.6: Critical Security Update Worth Installing Now
Apple released iOS 18.6 on July 29, 2025, focusing primarily on security and bug fixes rather than new features. The update includes over two dozen security patches that protect your iPhone from various vulnerabilities, making it an essential update even if you’re waiting for iOS 26.
The most notable fix addresses a problem in the Photos app that prevented users from sharing memory movies. For European Union users, iOS 18.6 also updates the experience for installing alternative app marketplaces and apps directly from developer websites.
Security experts recommend installing this update immediately, as it fixes critical vulnerabilities in the Safari WebKit engine that could lead to crashes and data leaks. One security flaw, tracked as CVE-2025-6558, was already being exploited “in the wild” before the fix.
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iOS 26: Major Redesign Coming This Fall
While iOS 18.6 focuses on behind-the-scenes improvements, iOS 26 (currently in public beta) represents the biggest visual overhaul to iPhone software since 2013. The centerpiece is “Liquid Glass,” a new design that gives menus, buttons, and interface elements a transparent, glass-like appearance that reflects and refracts light.
The Phone app gets a major upgrade with features to reduce unwanted interruptions. A new Call Screening function makes unknown callers state their purpose before your phone rings, while Hold Assist notifies you when a live agent returns to the call so you don’t waste time listening to hold music.
Other notable iOS 26 changes include:
- Message screening for unknown senders, giving you more control over who appears in your conversation list
- A redesigned Camera app with easier-to-use controls and labeled settings
- Extensive visual customization with tinted and clear app icons
- A new Apple Games app that serves as a central hub for all your games
- Improved accessibility features, including options for Braille users and motion sickness reduction
Apple Intelligence enhancements throughout the system can suggest tasks in Reminders, help create custom emoji combinations, and offer translation features in messaging apps.
The iOS 26 public beta is available now for iPhone 11 and newer models, with the final version expected in September alongside the new iPhone 17 lineup. As with any beta software, users may experience bugs and battery drain, so proceed with caution if installing before the official release.
For most users, installing iOS 18.6 immediately for its security benefits while waiting for the polished version of iOS 26 this fall represents the safest approach.
