Apple pushed out a batch of iPhone and iPad updates on January 26, 2026. Along with iOS 26.2.1 and iPadOS 26.2.1, Apple also released iOS 18.7.4, iOS 16.7.13, iOS 15.8.6, and iOS 12.5.8 for older devices that cannot upgrade to iOS 26.
These updates matter if you keep an older iPhone or iPad in use. They also matter if you hand down devices in your family, because Apple continues to ship maintenance patches across multiple generations.
What Apple released today
Apple lists these releases on its official security updates page, and it says each one has “no published CVE entries.” In simple terms, Apple has not posted a public list of specific security fixes for these builds.
| Update | Devices Apple lists as eligible | Release date |
|---|---|---|
| iOS 26.2.1 / iPadOS 26.2.1 | iPhone 11 and later; iPads from iPad mini 5 and iPad Air 3 and newer | Jan 26, 2026 |
| iOS 18.7.4 / iPadOS 18.7.4 | iPhone XS/XR era and newer models that support iOS 18.7.x; multiple iPad models listed by Apple | Jan 26, 2026 |
| iOS 16.7.13 / iPadOS 16.7.13 | iPhone 8/8 Plus/X; older iPads such as iPad (5th gen) and iPad Pro (1st gen models listed) | Jan 26, 2026 |
| iOS 15.8.6 / iPadOS 15.8.6 | iPhone 6s, iPhone 7, iPhone SE (1st gen), iPad Air 2, iPad mini 4, iPod touch (7th gen) | Jan 26, 2026 |
| iOS 12.5.8 / iPadOS 12.5.8 | iPhone 5s, iPhone 6/6 Plus, iPad Air, iPad mini 2/3, iPod touch (6th gen) | Jan 26, 2026 |
How to install the update on your iPhone or iPad
You can update over the air:
- Open Settings
- Tap General
- Tap Software Update
- Tap Download and Install (or Install Now)
If you want fewer manual checks going forward, turn on automatic updates:
- Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates
Which update should you choose?
Install the newest version your device supports. Apple released these older builds for a reason: many devices cannot move to iOS 26, but you still need current maintenance updates on whatever version you run. Apple also groups these releases on the same official update list, which signals a coordinated rollout across its supported range.
Unfortunately in Australia the 16.7.13 update has caused iPhone 8 and iPhone X models to not be able to make or receive any phone calls. A page on the Telstra website states that “We’re working on this as a priority with Apple and will share updates as we have them.”