**Warning for all iPhone users: Tech experts urge everyone to update their devices**

As an iPhone user, you may be one of the millions who haven't yet taken advantage of the latest software update from Apple – but if you're still on iOS 25 or below, it's time to rethink that decision.

The tech giant has issued a warning for anyone with an iPhone 11 or above, urging them to update to iOS 26 or above as soon as possible. The reason? Two crucial patches have been added to the latest version of the software, which could protect users from vicious malware attacks.

The updates were first released in September last year, but it seems many iPhone users have resisted the new features that come with iOS 26 and its subsequent versions – particularly the "Liquid Glass" style and screen customisation options. However, as we'll explore below, this is a risk not worth taking.

**The risk: Malware attacks and compromised devices**

Apple has just fixed two security holes in its WebKit browser engine that were being used by spyware to hack into people's devices. The vulnerabilities, which affect iPhone users with devices running iOS 25 or below, allow cybercriminals to run their own code on victims' devices simply by getting them to open a harmful web page.

According to Malwarebytes, these particular vulnerabilities are mostly being used in highly targeted attacks – but that's not to say their victim pool won't broaden as time goes on. The fact is, any iPhone user who hasn't updated their software since 12 December and restarted their device may be at risk of falling prey to these attacks.

WebKit powers many iOS applications, including the Safari browser, so a hack would allow malicious actors to access sensitive information and control devices remotely. As one expert puts it: "This is not just a minor update – this is essential protection for all iPhone users."

**Why hasn't everyone updated yet?**

As few as 4.6 percent of active iPhones have already been updated to iOS 26.2, with an estimated 16 percent on any version of iOS 26. Considering Apple will only be adding these new protections on iOS 26+, this is a startlingly low uptake.

So, what's holding people back? The answer seems to be the new features that come with iOS 26 – particularly the "Liquid Glass" style and screen customisation options. While some users have praised the updates as the biggest iPhone update in years, others have complained about changes to key features on their devices.

**What can you do to protect yourself?**

Apple is urging all iPhone users with an iPhone 11 or above to install the latest software update and restart their device as soon as possible. By doing so, you'll ensure that your device has all the required protections in place against malware attacks.

Don't wait – updating your iPhone now could save you from falling victim to a malicious attack in the future. Apple's advice is clear: "Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals on versions of iOS before iOS 26."

**Take action now**

Don't put off updating your iPhone any longer. Install the latest software update and restart your device as soon as possible to ensure you're protected from malware attacks.