In rare warning, Apple tells us to update the things
Apple rarely does this, so it matters that the company has published a stern warning to iOS users asking them to update their devices to iOS 15 or above in order to protect their data.
Update all your things
The company warns: “Security researchers recently identified web-based attacks that target out-of-date versions of iOS through malicious web content. For example, if you’re using an older version of iOS and were to click a malicious link or visit a compromised website, the data on your iPhone might be at risk of being stolen.
“We thoroughly investigated these issues as they were found and released software updates as quickly as possible for the most recent operating system versions to address vulnerabilities and disrupt such attacks.”
Apple warns that users who cannot update their device for some reason should enable Lockdown Mode until they can.
It also states the following:
- Devices running the latest, updated versions of iOS 15 through iOS 26 are already protected. If you have an available update you should install it.
- The company shipped a software update for iOS 15 and iOS 16 on March 11, 2026, to extend protection to older devices that cannot update to the latest version of iOS.
- Devices with iOS 13 or iOS 14 must update to iOS 15 to receive these protections and will receive an additional alert to install a Critical Security Update in the next few days.
- Apple Safe Browsing in Safari is on by default and blocks the malicious URL domains identified in these attacks.
The fact Apple has made this rare warning means you should take it seriously, particularly as the company also released its first Background Security Improvement this week.
Stay safe out there.
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