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   Apple Offers iOS 18.7.7 Security Update as Alternative to iOS 26.4 Upgrade

   Adam Engst

   Thankfully, this isn't an April Fool's prank. After I wrote
   '[1]DarkSword Exploit Threatens iPhones Still Running iOS 18' (23 March
   2026), Apple published the tech note page '[2]Update iOS to protect
   your iPhone from web attacks,' emphasizing the importance of staying
   current. It also addresses what those with older versions of iOS should
   do, noting that Apple released an update for iOS 15 and iOS 16 (to
   protect against Coruna'see '[3]Older iPhones and iPads Receive Critical
   Security Updates for Coruna Exploits,' 13 March 2026). Initially, the
   page promised an update for devices running iOS 18 as well, but on 1
   April 2026, the page changed to read:

     We enabled the availability of iOS 18.7.7 for more devices on April
     1, 2026, so that users with Automatic Updates turned on can
     automatically receive important security protections.

   On the [4]security notes page for iOS 18.7.7 and iPadOS 18.7.7, Apple
   added this text:

     Note: We enabled the availability of iOS 18.7.7 for more devices on
     April 1, 2026, so users with Automatic Updates turned on can
     automatically receive important security protections from web
     attacks called DarkSword. The fixes associated with the DarkSword
     exploit first shipped in 2025.

   For those who have stayed with iOS 18 instead of upgrading to iOS 26.4,
   you can now go to Settings > General > Software Update, scroll down to
   the Also Available section, and tap iOS 18.7.7. My iPhone SE is now
   happily updating.

   Given the severity of DarkSword, its proliferation in exploit markets,
   and Apple's unprecedented move to allow users to update without
   upgrading this late in the cycle, I strongly encourage all iOS 18
   holdouts to install iOS 18.7.7 immediately.

References

   Visible links
   1. https://tidbits.com/2026/03/23/darksword-exploit-threatens-iphones-still-running-ios-18/
   2. https://support.apple.com/126776
   3. https://tidbits.com/2026/03/13/older-iphones-and-ipads-receive-critical-security-updates-for-coruna-exploits/
   4. https://support.apple.com/126793

   Hidden links:
   5. https://tidbits.com/uploads/2026/04/iOS-18.7.7.jpg

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