Apple released iOS 26.2 last week with important security fixes . At the same time, it also released iOS 18.7.3 for users who haven't upgraded yet - at least in theory.
In practice, some iPhone owners are not receiving the security update and are instead pushed directly to iOS 26.
iOS 26.2: Security fix update
iOS 26.2 includes a number of important security fixes, including two WebKit bugs that could have been used in attacks against specific individuals (in versions of iOS prior to iOS 26). iOS 18.7.3 was also released, fixing the same two WebKit bugs and a variety of other security vulnerabilities for users who don't have iOS 26.
See also: iOS 26.3 Beta: What's new so far
The direct push to iOS 26 affects users who have chosen to stay on iOS 18, even though they have iPhones capable of running iOS 26. These users do not see iOS 18.7.3 as an update option. Instead, the only update they see in the Settings app is iOS 26.2. This situation essentially forces users to upgrade to iOS 26 to be protected from the latest security vulnerabilities, even though iOS 18.7.3 is available.
If someone is still using iOS 18 right now and an iPhone 11 or later, it's clearly a conscious decision they've made. Whether it's personal preference, app compatibility, or something else, this person has clearly decided they're not ready to update to iOS 26.
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These users shouldn't have to choose between ignoring a security update and upgrading to an operating system version they're not ready for.
“There are many reasons to avoid upgrading to iOS 26, including a dislike for Liquid Glass, software compatibility issues, or a general reluctance to install major updates. This move essentially forces users to upgrade to iOS 26 if they want security updates. iPhones that aren't capable of running iOS 26 are getting the 18.7.3 update, while iPads appear to be unaffected.“.
See also: iOS 26 bug causes red filter to appear in photos
For those who aren't ready to upgrade to iOS 26 just yet, there's a workaround: several users have reported that signing up for Apple's public beta program and choosing the iOS 18 public beta path will allow them to get 18.7.3. However, it's a more time-consuming and complicated process.
It remains unclear whether this is a bug or a policy change by Apple. Historically, Apple has released security updates for previous versions of iOS to keep users protected even if they don't upgrade to the next major version of the operating system. The solution with the public beta suggests that this may be a bug rather than a policy change.
