iOS 26 has arrived

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#3444215 15-Dec-2025 14:00

Apple's going down the dark path of "dark patterns" at the moment. iOS 18.7.3 is out, with security updates, but if you just go to Software Update then it won't show up. Nope, you need to opt into getting betas (even though it isn't a beta) and only then will it give you the option to download the update. I suspect if/when 18.7.4 goes into beta, the option to download 18.7.3 will disappear.

FineWine

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Nurse (R)

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#3444227 15-Dec-2025 14:26

xpd:

I'm not a long time Apple user, but installed iOS 26 anyway.... not seeing anything different really apart from the appearance. Oh and the fact my Favorites had vanished from contacts (found how to bring back).

Love to go back to Android....

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mattwnz

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#3444231 15-Dec-2025 14:30

Behodar:

Apple's going down the dark path of "dark patterns" at the moment. iOS 18.7.3 is out, with security updates, but if you just go to Software Update then it won't show up. Nope, you need to opt into getting betas (even though it isn't a beta) and only then will it give you the option to download the update. I suspect if/when 18.7.4 goes into beta, the option to download 18.7.3 will disappear.

According to reddit yesterday it is still in RC and not public. If it has been released in the last day it can take some time to appear.

Behodar

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#3444233 15-Dec-2025 14:32

It's listed on Apple's site as a current release. It has the same build number as the RC (that is, it's been promoted from RC to production).

mattwnz

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#3444238 15-Dec-2025 14:59

Well 18.7.3 is showing up today on my ipad as an option to update.

DeepBlueSky

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#3444264 15-Dec-2025 15:58

From what I have read, if your phone / iPad can take 26 you are not offered 18.7.3 but if you have say an iPhone 10 thats no longer supported with 26 you CAN download 18.7.3 :) this will annoy a lot of people I'm sure its a bit passive agressive I guess, forcing people to upgrade to get the security patch https://www.pcmag.com/news/apple-rolls-out-patches-for-sophisticated-targeted-zero-day-attacks

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mattwnz

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#3444267 15-Dec-2025 16:07

DeepBlueSky:

From what I have read, if your phone / iPad can take 26 you are not offered 18.7.3 but if you have say an iPhone 10 thats no longer supported with 26 you CAN download 18.7.3 :) this will annoy a lot of people I'm sure its a bit passive agressive I guess, forcing people to upgrade to get the security patch https://www.pcmag.com/news/apple-rolls-out-patches-for-sophisticated-targeted-zero-day-attacks

Maybe it is because iOS 26 is more secure than 18.7.3, so they want people on the most secure version. A bit like windows 11 is more secure than windows 10 even with the latest patches.

MikeB4

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#3444298 15-Dec-2025 17:28

I wonder if my wife would notice if my iPhone miraculously morphed from an iPhone into a Galaxy S25 or Pixel 10 in the next few days.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

Aucklandjafa

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#3456549 28-Jan-2026 07:30

A little late to the party, have just updated my 15P (26.2):

The good:

Battery seems to be much better;
Phone’s snappier and the transitions are smooth.

The bad:

Not sure about this Liquid Glass - also, third party apps are all blurry - notice this has been mentioned on several threads (assuming developers will need to update their app icons???)
Lastly, as I only use safari, there’s now an extra click to get to bookmarks - seems unnecessary.

JPNZ

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#3456613 28-Jan-2026 08:15

I'm getting the iOS26 update reminders all the time now for my 15P. Is it worth it or should I stay on 18?

Panasonic 65GZ1000, Onkyo RZ730, Atmos 5.1.2, AppleTV 4K, Nest Mini's, PS5, PS3, MacbookPro, iPad Pro, Apple watch SE2, iPhone 15+

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#3456623 28-Jan-2026 09:11

JPNZ:

I'm getting the iOS26 update reminders all the time now for my 15P. Is it worth it or should I stay on 18?

@JPNZ read the post above your question

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MadEngineer

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#3456666 28-Jan-2026 12:25

“Hey Siri, Turn on reduce transparency”.

👌

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JPNZ

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#3456705 28-Jan-2026 15:30

Linux:

@JPNZ read the post above your question

I did but those are tiny positives & negatives. Whats the general GZ hive mind saying? Update or nah?

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Handsomedan

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#3456714 28-Jan-2026 16:21

JPNZ:

Linux:

@JPNZ read the post above your question

I did but those are tiny positives & negatives. Whats the general GZ hive mind saying? Update or nah?

iPhone 14Pro - I've been on it since Beta and it's fine

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mattwnz

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#3456716 28-Jan-2026 16:22

iOS 26 is fine.

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