iOS 16.7.15 & iOS 15.8.7 Released with Security Updates for Older iPhone & iPad
Apple has released a series of new software updates with important security fixes for various older iPhone and iPad models, versioned as iOS 16.7.15, ipadOS 16.7.15, iOS 15.8.7, and iPadOS 15.8.7.
Specifically, the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPad 5th generation, iPad Pro 9.7-inch, and iPad Pro 12.9-inch 1st generation have iOS 16.7.15 and ipadOS 16.7.15 available to them, while the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, and iPad 7th generation has iOS 15.8.7 or iPadOS 15.8.7 available to those devices.
Curiously, the main Apple security update page lists iOS 15.8.7 as available for iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, and iPad 7th generation, while the specific page for iOS 15.8.7 lists iPhone 6s (all models), iPhone 7 (all models), iPhone SE (1st generation), iPad Air 2, iPad mini (4th generation), and iPod touch (7th generation) as the devices it is available for. Make of that discrepancy what you will, but either way if you have an older iPhone or iPad, you should check to see if any updates area available for it.
All eligible devices should install these iOS/iPadOS updates to patch the security issues for those devices.
For all other iPhone and iPad users, iOS 26.3.1 and iPadOS 26.3.1 remain the latest stable versions of system software available, and iOS 26.4 is expected to be finalized and arrive soon, in the coming weeks.
How to Download & Install iOS 16.7.15, ipadOS 16.7.15, iOS 15.8.7, and iPadOS 15.8.7
Backup your iPhone or iPad before updating system software. You can update through a computer with a USB cable, or you can use the Settings app on iPhone/iPad which is the easiest method:
- Open the “Settings” app on iPhone or iPad
- Go to “General” and then to “Software Update”
- Choose to install the iOS or iPadOS update that is available to your device
The device must restart to finish installation of the system software update.
Again, only older model iPhone and iPad hardware will have these updates available to them, and not every old device will have the updates either. Newer devices will show iOS 26.3.1 and iPadOS 26.3.1 as the latest available software updates.
