Apple is reportedly pushing some iPhone users to the iOS 26 update whether they want to leave iOS 18 behind or not. Previously, Apple has always allowed users to remain on the previous year’s operating system if they don’t like what the new update has in store – which this year might include those unenthused by the Liquid Glass design shift.
Some users with older phones might be concerned about the impact on their device’s speed of operation and battery life. Others may simply be waiting for the early bugs to work themselves out. With this in mind, Apple has continued to give holdouts the security updates they need to keep the bugs and exploits away. That may be about to change, at least when it comes to the transition from iOS 18 to iOS 26.
Six Colors reports that the iOS 18.7.3 update released this week isn’t being offered to all users still on the 2024 update. Some users report being pushed directly to iOS 26.2 instead. The only people being offered iOS 18.7.3, Apple says, are those ineligible for iOS iOS 26, including the iPhone XS series.
As iOS 26.2 and iOS 18.7.3 landed last week they were both designed to fix the same pair of WebKit exploits, it’s unclear why Apple is directing these users towards an operating system they may not wish to install. There is a workaround, albeit a little bit of a nuisance. Some users have been able to sign up for the beta program and get iOS 18.7.3 this way.
