Apple is forcing iPhones to update to iOS 26 to patch security holes

https://sixcolors.com/post/2025/12/apple-is-forcing-iphones-to-update-to-ios-26-to-patch-security-holes/

by gloxkiqcza • 7 months ago

21 5 7 months ago

If this happens, it will break medical devices and cause physical harm. Specifically CGM’s (Continuous Glucose Monitors) not compatible with iOS 26 where this data is ingested into insulin pumps every minute and automatically inject insulin every five minutes for Type 1 diabetics.

spacedcowboy• 7 months ago

Dexcom G7's are ok (I checked) FWIW.

By far the largest problem I've had is that if you move from region to region (I just escaped the USA back to the UK), there's a complication between subscriptions and regional stores.

You can't switch your region while you have an active subscription - which includes any AppleCare or other long-term (1 year, say) "subscriptions".

Applications like Glucose monitors and Diabetic Pump controllers are distinct between regional stores - a UK pump won't work with US software and vice versa, at least for Tandem.

So I had to wait for the subscription to time out. Cancelling it just means you don't pay on the anniversary, it's still active, and calling Apple support wasn't useful - they tried to help but ultimately couldn't effect any change.

Fortunately my last subscription timed out this month, and I can now use my UK pump with the UK software, linking to the UK hospital systems.

So, just beware if you move continent - you might want to make sure you time it well regarding any Apple subscriptions, which didn't occur to me before I moved.

supernes• 7 months ago

Several users have reported to me that a workaround is to sign up for Apple’s public beta program and opt in to the iOS 18 public beta track, at which point you’ll be offered 18.7.3.

Thanks for that, just enrolled at downloading the update now.

burnt-resistor• 7 months ago

Mostly inaccurate clickbait. On US iPhone, they're playing games with iOS 18 users to only offer 26 using dark patterns that are escapable by joining the 18 beta program, which is currently offering 18.7.3 with similar security content as 26.2. 18 should be supported until around 2026 or 2027, depending on if/when 27 will be released. On iPad, they're not currently playing games with 18 updates.

tl;dr: Problem solved by joining 18 beta.

csvance• 7 months ago

Beta is inappropriate as an exclusive channel to continue receiving security updates. If I hadn’t read HN today I wouldn’t have known.

Apple is forcing iPhones to update to iOS 26 to patch security holes

Related Stories