Important Security Updates to iOS 15, iOS 16, iOS 17, and iOS 18 Available for Older iPhone & iPad Models
Apple has released an array of new system software updates for older model iPhone and iPad hardware, alongside the iOS 26.5 update for newer devices. These updates include important security fixes, and are therefore recommended to install onto your eligible devices.
The updates arrive as iOS 18.7.9, iPadOS 17.7.11, iOS 16.7.16, and iOS 15.8.8, each with their iOS/iPadOS equivalent, and are available for various model iPhone and iPad devices that are not eligible to run iOS 26.5.
Specifically, you will find the following system software updates available, and for these particular devices:
- iOS 18.7.9 and iPadOS 18.7.9 for iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPad 7th generation
- iPadOS 17.7.11 for iPad Pro 12.9-inch 2nd generation, iPad Pro 10.5-inch, and iPad 6th generation
- iOS 16.7.16 and iPadOS 16.7.16 for iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPad 5th generation, iPad Pro 9.7-inch, and iPad Pro 12.9-inch 1st generation
- iOS 15.8.8 and iPadOS 15.8.8 for iPhone 6s (all models), iPhone 7 (all models), iPhone SE (1st generation), iPad Air 2, iPad mini (4th generation), and iPod touch (7th generation)
Again, these updates are separate from the freshly released iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 updates which also include the same security patches, but for newer model iPhone and iPad hardware.
How to Download & Install iOS/iPadOS 18.7.9 ,iPadOS 17.7.11, iOS/iPadOS 16.7.16, and iOS/iPadOS 15.8.8
Backup your iPhone or iPad to iCloud or your backup method of choice prior to starting a system software update. :
- Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone or iPad
- Go to “General”, and then go to “Software Update”
- Choose to install the available iOS or iPadOS update for your given device
The device must restart to finish installation of the system software update.
Apple providing security updates for iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 is not really unexpected, but offering updates for iOS 17, iOS 16, and iOS 15, and those older model devices, is quite nice, and goes to show just how many older model iPhone and iPad devices are still in broad use around the country and world. Many users bought an iPhone or iPad years ago and find it still works great and thus have no incentive to update, or perhaps they received an older iPhone or iPad as a hand-me-down, or they were able to pickup a used model for an affordable price and that put them into the Apple ecosystem. Fortunately Apple is still providing relevant security updates for these devices, extending their already impressive lifespan even further.
Separately, Apple has also released macOS Tahoe 26.5, iOS 26.5, iPadOS 26.5, watchOS 26.5, tvOS 26.5, visionOS 26.5, macOS Sequoia 15.7.7, macOS Sonoma 15.8.7, and updates to basically every Apple device that is available. Be sure to check all of your devices for updates.
