iOS 18.7.3 & iPadOS 18.7.3 Security Updates Released
Apple has released iOS 18.7.3 and iPadOS 18.7.3 for iPhone and iPad, respectively, for users who are continuing to run the iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 operating systems. These are security updates that do not include any new features or changes, and are available as alternatives for users who either can’t install iOS 26 or do not want to install iOS 26 onto their devices for whatever reason.
These updates are concurrent with the freshly released iOS 26.2 update, iPadOS 26.2 update, macOS Tahoe 26.2 update, MacOS Sequoia 15.7.3, macOS Sonoma 14.8.3, watchOS 26.2, tvOS 26.2, and visionOS 26.2.
Specifically, iOS 18.7.3 and iPadOS 18.7.3 are available for iPhone XS and later, iPad Pro 13-inch, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 7th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later. If you have already installed iOS 26 or iPadOS 26 onto your device, you will not be able to install these updates, or downgrade to them.
How to Download & Install iOS 18.7.3 / iPadOS 18.7.3 Update
First backup your iPhone or iPad to iCloud to preserve your data, then proceed with the update:
- Open “Settings” app on iPhone or iPad
- Go to “General” and then go to “Software Update” as usual
- Ignore the large prominent banner for iOS 26 / iPadOS 26, and instead scroll down to look for iOS 18.7.3 / iPadOS 18.7.3, and tap on that to download and install that update instead
Your iPhone or iPad must restart to finish installation.
Apple is aggressively pushing iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2, so if you wish to stay on iOS 18 or ipadOS 18 you’ll want to be extra cautious as you install these updates, and you might want to disable the automatic update feature on your device too. Many users are avoiding iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 for a variety of reasons, whether for compatibility purposes, legibility issues with Liquid Glass, general dislike of Liquid Glass and the redesign of Photos and Phone app and iOS in general, performance reasons, or any number of other reasons.
iOS 18.7.3 IPSW Firmware Download Links
Apple only offering iOS 18.7.3 IPSW firmware files for a handful or devices, perhaps so that users can not downgrade to iOS 18 from iOS 26:
- iOS 18.7.3 for iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- Updating…
iOS 18.7.3 Release Notes
Release notes for iOS 18.7.3 and iPadOS 18.7.3 updates mention security updates and that’s it, again do not expect any changes or new features:
This update provides important security updates and is recommended for all users.
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website:
https://support.apple.com/100100
Don’t forget to update your other Apple hardware too, as just about everything as received a software update recently.
Regarding Apple’s decision to limit IOS 18.7.3 to only older iPhones, I just have one thing to say…APPLE SUCKS!
On the software update screen, turn ON BETA Updates. On the BETA Updates screen, select EITHER Public or Developer iOs 18. iOs 18.7.3 should then show up on your update screen.
Cheers.
Yes, this appears to be the only way to get this Security Update. From what I have found it appears that Apple is trying to force newer phone owners to update to 26 by withholding lower iOS version updates through normal methods. I think this is very low and potentially dangerous for iPhone owners as there may be many reason why a person is not updating to 26. So, we are left with security holes just because Apple wants us on iOS 26. It is my phone, I will manage it the way I want to.
Thanks Bill S. I was not offered the 18.7.3 update until following your instructions. The iOS 26 installation was all I could see and couldn’t get past it to see other options. This is really infuriating, that Apple is so aggressively pushing the disaster (for users) that is iOS 26.
I don’t see how to turn on Beta. When I go to update screen, all I see is iOS26 and can’t get past it.
I believe what you need to do is sign up for Apple’s Beta program before you can get to the Update. If you go to Settings, search for beta and you should see the Beta program sign up screen. That’s as far as I went, I didn’t want to sign up so I left it at that.
I am running iPadOS 18.7.2 and I have the option to install iPadOS 18.7.3 on my new M3 iPad Air instead of iPadOS 26.2
I really dislike Tahoe and wish I did not put it on my Mac, so hesitant to put the 26 OS on anything else because of that.
I have not been offered iOS 18.7.2, let alone 18.7.3 for my iPhone.
When I check for updates all I’m shown available is iOS 26.2. Seems to be all Apple is peddling just now.
Why is that? How can I get my iPhone updated to 18.7.3?
Apple has offered me the iPad security updates and I’m up to date.
I know I’ll have to go to iOS 26, but I’m just waiting for things to settle down.
This has been a strange update, the iPadOS update appeared last week, the update for my iMac (Sequoia) appeared yesterday, however there is still no sign of the update for my iPhone 16e. Strange…
I backed up my phone and iPad and was dismayed not to see the 18.7.3 choice for my eligible phone. I am now stuck with 26.2 because I didn’t want to have two different operating systems. Bah Humbug!