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‘Update Now’: Apple Issues Urgent Warning to iPhone Users

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‘Update Now’: Apple Issues Urgent Warning to iPhone Users

New iOS 26.4 software is needed ASAP to repair 37 critical security issues on iPhones and iPads. Fun bonus: 8 new emojis.

BY KEVIN HAYNES, NEWS WRITER

Apple’s newest iPhone update comes with eight new emojis, a couple of Apple Music enhancements, and an urgent warning: Install it immediately to unleash “a whopping 37 fixes for security holes in the iOS software,” the company says.The critical patches in the iOS 26.4 update, released Wednesday, prompted security experts to issue an “Update Now” advisory for iPhone 11 and all newer models; iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later; iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later; iPad Air 3rd generation and later; iPad 8th generation and later; and iPad mini 5th generation and later.

Apple’s latest software tweaks include the repair of six flaws in WebKit, the engine that powers Apple’s Safari internet browser, which made the software susceptible to cross-site scripting (XXS) attacks if you click on a maliciously designed website.

Another fix in the massive security overhaul protects against DarkSword, a “new iOS full-chain exploit that leverages multiple zero-day vulnerabilities to fully compromise devices,” according to the Google Threat Intelligence Group and security researchers from iVerify and Lookout. Apple initially addressed the bug in last week’s iOS 26.3.1 (a) update, its first test of the new feature that now offers real-time security patches.

The update also tackles four critical issues in the heart of iPhone’s operating system that could allow an app to corrupt kernel memory or cause an unexpected system shutdown. “This means an attacker could escalate privileges and gain full control of the system,” warns Adam Boynton, senior enterprise strategy manager at Jamf, a software company that specializes in Apple device management and security.

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Other highlights of the iOS 24.6 upgrade:

Stolen device protection is now enabled by default for all users, requiring biometric identification via Face ID or Touch ID to perform security-sensitive actions like changing passwords.

Keyboard accuracy has been tweaked to eliminate a persistent bug that caused characters to be dropped when typing fast, which shut down autocorrect for many users.

Liquid Glass now offers a Reduce Bright Effects option, which can minimize the eye-popping brightness and flashes associated with user interface (UI) animations.

Apple’s latest update also introduces some features that are a lot more upbeat than security threats.

Apple Music has launched “Playlist Playground,” a new AI tool that creates 25-song playlists based on prompts like “Music for a rainy day.”


© Inc.com