Should you update to iOS 26.5.2?
No: install iOS 26.7.2 instead. iOS 26.5.2 is a security update Apple released on 29 Jun 2026 for iPhone and iPad. It fixes 38 security flaws.[1] None of them is known to be used in attacks.
It has since been replaced by iOS 26.6, released 27 Jul 2026, which includes all of its fixes. If you’re on an older version, install that instead.
Should you update?
No: install iOS 26.7.2 instead. iOS 26.7.2 came out on 26 Oct 2026 and includes every fix in iOS 26.5.2, so there’s no reason to stop at this one. Software Update offers the newest version your device can run.
Is iOS 26.5.2 still safe?
Not any more. The 5 updates since, up to iOS 26.7.2, fix 356 security flaws that iOS 26.5.2 doesn’t, and each became public the day its fix shipped. Installing it is safe: get it only from Settings → General → Software Update, never from a link in an email, text or pop-up.
What it fixes
Apple lists 38 security flaws across 9 parts of iOS. For each, Apple says what an attacker could have done before the fix.[1]
| Part | Flaws | What an attacker could do |
|---|---|---|
| WebKit | 24 | Processing maliciously crafted web content may disclose sensitive user information |
| WebRTC | 4 | Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to an unexpected process crash |
| Kernel | 3 | An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination or write kernel memory |
| libxslt | 2 | Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to an unexpected process crash |
| IOGPUFamily | 1 | An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination |
| MobileAccessoryUpdater | 1 | A malicious accessory may be able to cause unexpected app termination |
| Web Extensions | 1 | A malicious web extension may be able to cause an unexpected process crash |
| WebKit Canvas | 1 | Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to an unexpected Safari crash |
| WebKit Storage | 1 | A malicious website may be able to silently hijack clipboard data |
How to update, and how long it takes
It takes 15 to 45 minutes in all: a few minutes to download, then it prepares, installs and restarts, and you can’t use the iPhone or iPad while it installs.
- Back up first if you can.iCloud backup or your computer. Updates rarely go wrong, but a backup makes it painless if one does.
- Open Settings → General → Software Update.Your iPhone or iPad shows the newest version it can run. Tap or click Update Now, or Upgrade Now for a new major version.
- Leave it plugged in.It downloads, prepares and restarts. Expect 15 to 45 minutes.
- Turn on automatic updates.In the same place, under Automatic Updates, turn on both downloading and installing security responses and updates.
To check it worked: Settings → General → About shows the iOS version. It should say 26.6 or later.
Before and after
- After: iOS 26.6, 27 Jul 2026, 97 security flaws
- iOS updates, every release and the latest version
- Updates, the latest version of everything HARD tracks
References
- ^ Apple. “About the security content of iOS 26.5.2”, 29 Jun 2026.