Apple has released iOS 26.6 for iPhone, along with iPadOS 26.6 for iPad. The software updates are focused mostly on security enhancements for the devices, and there is also some included preparations for the upcoming larger iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 releases coming later in the year.

Separately, Apple has also released MacOS Tahoe 26.6 for Mac, along with updates to prior iOS, MacOS, and iPadOS versions, and other Apple devices, so be sure to check Software Update on just about anything for available updates.

If you’re currently running iOS 27 beta you will not find the iOS 26.6 update available to you.

Backup your iPhone/iPad to iCloud first, then updating is easy:

1. Open the “Settings” app on iPhone or iPad
2. Go to “General”, then go to “Software Update”
3. Choose to “Update Now” to download and install the iOS 26.6 update / iPadOS 26.6 update onto your device

Installing the update onto your iPhone or iPad will require the device to restart.

If you’d prefer, you can also choose to update the iPhone or iPad with a computer and a USB connection, or by using an IPSW firmware file which we will link further below.

Release notes bundled along with iOS 26.6 are:

iOS 26.6

This update includes enhancements, bug fixes, and security updates for your iPhone

For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit:
https://support.apple.com/100100

Some features may not be available in all regions or on all iPhone models. To learn more, please visit: https://apple.com/ios/feature-availability/

Software updates, like this one, add new features and improvements that may affect performance and/or battery life. To learn more, please visit: https://support.apple.com/125039

Using IPSW files to update manually or to restore a device as new is also possible, but generally for advanced users. The links below point to the files on Apple’s CDN servers:

• iPhone 17 Air
• iPhone 17 Pro Max
• iPhone 17 Pro
• iPhone 17
• iPhone 17e
• iPhone 16 Pro Max
• iPhone 16 Pro
• iPhone 16 Plus
• iPhone 16
• iPhone 16e
• iPhone 15 Pro Max
• iPhone 15 Pro
• iPhone 15 Plus
• iPhone 15
• iPhone 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 14 Pro
• iPhone 14 Plus
• iPhone 14
• iPhone SE (3rd generation)
• iPhone 13
• iPhone 13 mini
• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12
• iPhone 12 mini
• iPhone SE (2nd generation)
• iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 11

• iPad Pro M5
• iPad Mini 7th generation
• iPad Pro 11-inch M4
• iPad Pro 13-inch M4
• iPad Air 11-inch M4
• iPad Air 13-inch M4
• iPad Air 11-inch M3
• iPad Air 11-inch M2
• iPad Air 13-inch M2
• 11-in. iPad Pro 4th generation
• 12.9-in. iPad Pro 6th generation
• iPad Air 5th Generation
• 10.2-in. iPad 10th generation
• 11-in. iPad Pro 3rd generation
• 12.9-in. iPad Pro 5th generation
• iPad mini 6th generation
• 10.2-in. iPad 9th generation
• iPad Air 4th generation
• 10.2-in. iPad 8th generation
• iPad mini 5th generation
• iPad Air 3rd generation
• 11-in. iPad Pro 1st gen and 2nd generations
• 12.9-in. iPad Pro 3rd gen and 4th generations
• iPad A16
• iPad A16

Don’t forget to update your other devices as well, since Apple has released updates to not only iOS and iPadOS, but also MacOS Tahoe 26.6, watchOS 26.6, tvOS 26.6, and more.