Apple to Issue Rare iOS 18 Software Update for DarkSword Exploit

Apple on Wednesday will issue software updates to devices still running iOS 18 to protect them from an exploit called DarkSword, which can silently take over an iPhone if it visits a website infected with the malicious code. Devices on iOS 26 are already protected against DarkSword, but in a surprising move for Apple, its latest critical update is designed to specifically protect vulnerable iOS 18 users who have consciously decided not to update to iOS 26, even though their iPhone model supports it. Some users may be hesitant to upgrade to ‌iOS 26‌ because of the Liquid Glass design overhaul that makes major changes to the iPhone interface. "Tomorrow we are enabling the availability of an iOS 18 update for more devices so users with auto-update enabled can automatically receive important security protections," an Apple spokesperson told Wired. "We encourage all users with supported devices to update to iOS 26 to receive our most advanced protections."iPhone users can install the update