Should you update to iOS 27?
No: install iOS 27.2 instead. iOS 27 is a security update Apple released on 14 Sep 2026 for iPhone and iPad. It fixes 163 security flaws.[1] None of them is known to be used in attacks.
It has since been replaced by iOS 27.2, released 26 Oct 2026, which includes all of its fixes. If you’re on an older version, install that instead.
Should you update?
No: install iOS 27.2 instead. iOS 27.2 came out on 26 Oct 2026 and includes every fix in iOS 27, so there’s no reason to stop at this one. Software Update offers the newest version your device can run.
Is iOS 27 still safe?
Not any more. iOS 27.2 fixes 163 security flaws that iOS 27 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 163 security flaws across 85 parts of iOS. For each, Apple says what an attacker could have done before the fix.[1]
| Part | Flaws | What an attacker could do |
|---|---|---|
| Kernel | 25 | An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination or corrupt kernel memory |
| ImageIO | 6 | Processing a maliciously crafted image may result in disclosure of process memory |
| SceneKit | 6 | Processing a maliciously crafted file may result in disclosure of process memory |
| CoreUI | 5 | Processing a maliciously crafted file may lead to unexpected app termination |
| CoreMedia | 4 | Processing a maliciously crafted image may lead to arbitrary code execution |
| Security | 4 | An attacker with a compromised intermediate certificate authority may be able to issue certificates with arbitrary extended key usages |
| WebKit | 4 | Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to an unexpected process termination |
| Apple Neural Engine | 3 | An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination |
| AVEVideoEncoder | 3 | An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination |
| Baseband | 3 | An attacker in radio range may be able to cause unexpected system termination |
| Bluetooth | 3 | A remote attacker may be able to cause unexpected app termination or arbitrary code execution |
| Siri | 3 | An app may be able to access sensitive user data |
| Wi-Fi | 3 | An attacker with physical access to an unlocked device may be able to view Wi-Fi passwords without authentication |
| Accelerate Framework | 2 | Processing a maliciously crafted image may lead to unexpected process termination |
| Accessibility | 2 | An app may be able to access sensitive user data |
| 70 other parts | 87 |
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 27.2 or later.
Older devices
The same day, Apple released iOS 26.7 (95 security flaws) for devices that stay on an older version. Each fixes the same holes where they apply.
Before and after
- After: iOS 27.2, 26 Oct 2026, 163 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 27”, 14 Sep 2026.