iOS 26.2.1
Juli Clover (release notes, no security, no enterprise, no developer):
iOS 26.2.1 adds support for the next-generation AirTag that Apple introduced today.
[…]
The update also includes unspecified bug fixes, according to Apple’s release notes.
The iOS 26.2.1 update that Apple released today further addresses an issue preventing some older mobile phones from being able to make emergency calls.
Apple claims there are also bug fixes, but doesn’t deign to clarify what they might be.
More intriguingly, the company also released updates to four older versions of iOS and iPadOS, dating back to iOS 12. The updates include:
- iOS 18.7.4 and iPadOS 18.7.4
- iOS 16.7.13 and iPadOS 16.7.13
- iOS 15.8.6 and iPadOS 15.8.6
- iOS 12.5.8
Usually, when Apple updates much older operating systems, it’s because of a particularly problematic security vulnerability, though even then, the company seldom goes back more than two releases. However, something else is going on this time, as indicated by the security notes, which state that none of the releases have any published CVE entries.
Apple seems to be doubling down on encouraging users to update to iOS 26. These bug fix updates for iOS 18 and earlier are only available for users with older iPhones. If your phone can run iOS 26, you have to update to it or be stuck with known security vulnerabilities.
Previously:
Update (2026-01-28): Mark Gardner:
iOS 26.2.1 update to my iPhone 15 Pro froze before completing, necessitating a factory restore. Currently restoring my settings and content from an iCloud backup. I do not recommend this update to Apple users.
This is the only such report I’ve seen so far.
These updates don’t patch security flaws or add new features. According to Apple’s release notes for the iOS 12 and iOS 15 updates, all they do is update a security certificate to ensure that iMessage, FaceTime, and Apple account sign-in will continue working past January 2027, when the operating systems’ original certificate would have expired.
Does Apple withholding this update to devices that are supported by iOS 26 mean that iMessage and Facetime will break in January 2027 on those iPhones unless you upgrade to iOS 26?
Update (2026-02-04): David Price:
iPhone owners on multiple forums are reporting crashes, freezes and other problems with the latest point update, iOS 26.2.1.
One thread on the Apple Community forum is called “iOS 26.2.1 has rendered my phone unusable” and complains that nearly every app on the user’s iPhone has started to crash or freeze since installing the update.
[…]
Elsewhere, you can read more complaints on a Reddit thread called “iOS 26.2.1 feels like an user experiment” which has plenty of comments.
[…]
But neither are we talking about just one or two cases. There’s yet another thread on Apple Community called “Connectivity failure after iOS 26.2.1 update” that complains that the user’s iPhone can no longer connect to the phone provider’s network. And even the thread discussing MacObserver’s original news story features a lot more commenters reporting the same issues.
8 Comments RSS · Twitter · Mastodon
The updates for older OSes are to replace certificates for services like FaceTime. See e.g. Ars Technica's article.
A certificate file should be around 1 kilobytes. Even allowing more space for installation scripts I am surprised installer for iOS 15 is around 170 megabytes.
A minor thing that I noticed in iOS 26.2 is that the weather icon on the lock screen now still shows the temperature even when there is a severe weather advisory. This had been irritating me as it would show severe weather advisory all through the summer and winter as if I didn't know it was hot or cold without the ⚠️ replacing the temperature
Now the lock screen shows both the icon, as well as the temperature.
Yes, good of Apple to keep my iPod Touch from being unable to activate itself.
Less good is the *requirement* for the device to be activated. I know the APNS client needs a certificate, but surely "Thanks, no thanks" should be an option?
Still, if it should happen that someone doesn't apply the update until after this year, when the certificates in the old version will expire, it will at least be possible to use DFU mode to "Flash" the new software from a computer.
It’s irresponsible and frankly dangerous for Apple to withhold security updates from users who don’t want to downgrade to iOS 26. That’s not OK
Damn, for a second I thought they were signing an iOS 18 installer that would allow me to upgrade my phone from iOS 26 to iOS 18.
>Apple seems to be doubling down on encouraging users to update to iOS 26. These bug fix updates for iOS 18 and earlier are only available for users with older iPhones.
I have pretty low expectations of Apple these days, but what a colossal dick move.
Late to this one but glad to finally see some rage for a practice Apple has had for many years. Nobody cared until Liquid Glass apparently. The capitalization was the iPhone keyboard, glad to see they keep up with Apple’s proper nouns and almost nothing else…
Also can we talk about Microsoft withholding security patches for Windows 10 that they have already made just to force people into a Microsoft account?
The amount of purposeful negligence by these companies is absolutely staggering and they only get away with it because absolutely no one in power in government understands or cares to stop them until it’s too late.
