Apple issues warning to iPhone users over ‘sophisticated attack’ hijacking devices: Act NOW

Apple has released an emergency iOS update, with millions of iPhone users urged to download it now.

The tech giant’s update fixes a security flaw that could let hackers make an iPhone or iPad run malicious code through a specially crafted file.

The update, iOS 26.7.1, is available for the iPhone 11 and newer models still running Apple’s older software.

The flaw affects CoreGraphics, the software that helps iPhones and iPads display images and graphics.

Apple said the weakness ‘may have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals’ using versions of iOS older than iOS 27.

Before updating, users should back up their iPhone to iCloud or a computer to protect their data, then plug it into a power source and connect to a reliable Wi-Fi network.

To install the update, open Settings, tap General and select Software Update. 

If an update is available, tap Download and Install or Update Now, then enter the phone’s passcode and accept the terms and conditions if prompted.

Users can also enable automatic updates by opening Settings, selecting General, then tapping Software Update and Automatic Updates.

Turning on Automatically Install allows the iPhone to download and install updates overnight while charging and connected to Wi-Fi. Users receive a notification before an update is installed.

Those who prefer to install updates later can turn off Automatically Install to reveal the Automatically Download option. 

Once enabled, it downloads updates while the phone is locked, charging and connected to Wi-Fi, ready for users to install themselves.

Apple’s decision to release a separate security fix just weeks after iOS 26.7 highlights the urgency of patching the flaw.

The company has not disclosed details of the reported attack, but its description of a sophisticated operation targeting specific people could point to spyware, software that secretly monitors a device and collects private information.

Apple also released iPadOS 26.7.1, supporting a range of iPads.

The list includes all 11-inch iPad Pro models, the third-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro and later, the third-generation iPad Air and later, the eighth-generation iPad and later, and the fifth-generation iPad mini and later.

Apple also released iOS 27.0.1, which focuses on bugs affecting its new iPhone 18 Pro models.

Shortly after the phones’ release in September, users reported the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max would randomly restart after Face ID failed to authenticate. 

Alongside the Face ID fix, Apple’s separate iOS 27.0.1 update addresses a camera glitch that caused strange colors to appear in photos taken at 2x zoom on some iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max devices under certain lighting conditions.

It also fixes a bug that could freeze the touchscreen when users opened Notification Center and Control Center at the same time.

Affected phones could be brought back into operation with a forced restart.