Apple releases iOS 18.6 with 24 security fixes and photos app bug repair

Highlights

• iOS 18.6 brings 25 fixes including 24 security updates and one Photos app bug fix
  
• Update available for all iPhones from 2018 onwards, including iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd gen)
  
• WebKit, VoiceOver, and privacy indicator bugs among security vulnerabilities addressed
  
• iOS 18.6 is expected to be the final major release before iOS 26 rolls out in September
  
• Update size: approximately 1.07GB on iPhone 16 Pro Max
  

Apple pushes significant iPhone update with focus on security

Apple has released iOS 18.6, a major software update for iPhone users, featuring 25 individual fixes. The release includes 24 security patches and one repair for a Photos app bug that prevented memory movies from being shared.

This is the first update since iOS 18.5 was launched on 12 May — making it an unusually long gap between releases. Apple appears to have consolidated issues into a single, larger update late in the iOS 18 cycle.

Which devices support iOS 18.6?

iOS 18.6 is compatible with all iPhones released from 2018 onwards, including:

• iPhone Xs, Xs Max, XR
  
• iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation)
  
• All iPhone 16 models, including iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16e
  

However, this may be the final iOS version for some older models. Apple has confirmed that iOS 26, currently in public beta and due in September, will only support iPhone 11 and newer.

  The next major iOS release will be iOS 26, expected in September 2025Apple

How to install the update

To download iOS 18.6:

1. Go to Settings
   
2. Tap General
   
3. Select Software Update
   
4. Tap Download and Install
   

The update file is approximately 1.07GB in size, depending on device model.

What’s included in iOS 18.6?

Although new features are limited, the update contains important fixes:

• Photos app: Resolves an issue where “memory movies” could not be shared.
  
• WebKit (Safari): Several vulnerabilities patched, including risks of data leakage and spoofed web addresses.
  
• VoiceOver: Fixes a flaw that could allow passcodes to be read aloud.
  
• Privacy indicators: Corrects bugs with the display of microphone and camera activity indicators (orange and green dots).
  

These security flaws, some potentially serious, are being addressed in one consolidated release due to the long interval since the last update.

What’s next for iOS users?

Unless further urgent issues arise, the next major iOS release will be iOS 26, expected in September 2025. Apple has recently revised its naming convention so that future versions are labelled with the year in which they are primarily used — in this case, 2026.