- By Prateek Levi
- Tue, 30 Jun 2026 09:08 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Apple has released iOS 26.5.2 and iPadOS 26.5.2 for eligible iPhone and iPad models, but this isn't a routine bug-fix update. Instead of waiting for the stable rollout of iOS 26.6, the company has pushed out a separate security update to get important fixes into users' hands sooner.
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According to Reuters, Apple decided to speed up the release after recognising that AI is making it easier for attackers to develop malicious hacking tools. The company said it wants to shorten the gap between testing security fixes in beta software and making them available to everyone, reducing the time attackers have to identify and exploit vulnerabilities.
Traditionally, Apple bundles major security improvements with larger iOS releases, while smaller updates mainly focus on bug fixes. This time, however, the company has taken a different approach by bringing key security patches to the stable channel through iOS 26.5.2 and iPadOS 26.5.2, even before the public release of iOS 26.6.
The update is made available only for the iPhone 11 and models beyond, and it also comes with the support for eligible iPads as well. As per Cupertino-based tech giant's press release notes, it includes security fixes that first appeared in the iOS 26.6 and iPadOS 26.6 beta versions.
Among the issues addressed is a vulnerability that could allow an app to unexpectedly terminate the system. Apple has also fixed another flaw that could let an application write to kernel memory, a security issue that could potentially be abused if left unpatched.
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Apple said it is not aware of any evidence suggesting that either of the newly fixed vulnerabilities has been exploited in the wild. Even so, the company is encouraging eligible users to install the update as soon as possible to ensure their devices are protected with the latest security improvements.