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iPhone users are once again being warned and this one is hard to ignore. If your device is not running the latest version of iOS, you could now be vulnerable to new spyware attacks targeting its devices.
If you haven’t already upgraded to iOS 26, you should do so immediately.
Apple has suggested that recent attacks are exploiting vulnerabilities in older software, and simply sticking with iOS 18, even if it is fully updated, is no longer enough for newer devices. In fact, iPhones capable of running iOS 26 cannot remain protected by updating iOS 18 alone.
For many users, upgrading will automatically involve powering down and restarting the phone as part of the installation process. That reboot isn’t just routine housekeeping — it’s a key part of Apple’s security response.
If you’re already on iOS 26.2 or iOS 18.7.3 (for devices that cannot upgrade further), you’re in a much safer position.
There’s some debate about how many people are affected. Some analysts suggest more than half of all iPhones capable of upgrading to iOS 26 still haven’t done so, with estimates pointing to hundreds of millions of devices worldwide. What isn’t disputed is that delaying the update leaves users exposed.
For those who are reluctant to upgrade, experts are repeating a surprisingly low-tech piece of advice: turn your phone off and on again.
Cybersecurity agencies, including France’s ANSSI — the equivalent of the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre — and the US National Security Agency, recommend fully powering down smartphones at least once a week. The reason? Switching off your phone stops all processes running in memory, including certain forms of non-persistent spyware.
Best practice is to manually power down using the phone’s physical buttons, not just an on-screen switch off option.
How to switch your phone off and on again
On an iPhone, that means pressing and holding either volume button and the side button until the power-off slider appears, then switching the device off and waiting around 30 seconds before restarting. If the phone is unresponsive, Apple recommends a forced restart using a specific button sequence.
Many of the latest threats rely on so-called “zero-click” exploits, which require no action from the user and can be delivered via everyday apps like iMessage. There’s no guaranteed behavioural defence against these attacks, which is why keeping iOS fully up to date remains the single most important step.
Restarting your phone won’t replace a software update, but if you’re running outdated firmware, it’s an essential habit.
Weekly restarts are now being recommended as a basic layer of defence, a reminder that even in an age of advanced digital threats, sometimes the simplest actions still matter.
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