Apple is urging all iPhone owners around the world to update their devices to the latest available version of iOS, even if the phones can not access the very latest iOS 26 version.

According to a warning posted on Apple’s website on March 19, security researchers have identified web-based attacks that are targeting out of date iOS versions – meaning hackers are purposefully seeking out people using older iPhones to try and get at their personal data.

“For example, if you’re using an older version of iOS and were to click a malicious link or visit a compromised website, the data on your iPhone might be at risk of being stolen,” Apple said.

Such hacks can lead to victims becoming defrauded and losing money through various means.

“Keeping your software up to date is the single most important thing you can do to maintain the security of your Apple products, and devices with updated software were not at risk from these reported attacks,” Apple said.

“Devices with Lockdown Mode enabled are also protected from these specific attacks, even on out-of-date software, but should be updated to the latest iOS version as soon as possible.”

The iPhone 11 series from 2019 is the oldest generation of iPhone that can download and run iOS 26. If you own one of these devices or any newer, you can head to the Settings app on your iPhone today to check you are running the latest available version.

Apple is very good at sending out important software updates globally to all compatible devices, so if there are no updates waiting when you go to Settings > General > Software Update, you are likely on the latest version.

But if you have an older iPhone such as an iPhone 8 or iPhone XS, you won’t be able to run iOS 26. Older iPhones such as the iPhone 7, released in 2016, will be stuck on ageing versions of iOS 15.

The risk is apparently great enough for Apple to have released a software update on March 11 for iOS 15 and iOS 16 “to extend protection to older devices that cannot update to the latest version of iOS.”

This is unusual, but great to see that Apple recognises some people are still using old iPhones with outdated software, and has released an update that fixes this major security flaw.

“Devices with iOS 13 or iOS 14 must update to iOS 15 to receive these protections and will receive an additional alert to install a Critical Security Update in the next few days,” Apple said.