Apple is quietly getting iOS 18.7 ready for release, even as all eyes turn toward the bigger upcoming launch iOS 26. Based on visitor logs from MacRumors, iOS 18.7 is currently in testing and is expected to roll out sometime in September 2025, likely just before or alongside iOS 26.
iOS 18.7 is a final update for older iPhones
This update won’t bring flashy features. Instead, iOS 18.7 is expected to deliver minor stability tweaks and, more importantly, security patches for older devices. That includes iPhones like the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR, which are not compatible with iOS 26.
That makes iOS 18.7 one of the last updates these phones will ever receive, marking the end of their software support window.
iOS 26 set for release in mid-September
Meanwhile, iOS 26 is nearly ready after months of beta testing. If Apple sticks to its pattern, the update will likely arrive around Monday, September 15 or 16, 2025. Here’s a quick look at past iOS release dates:
- iOS 18 – September 16, 2024
- iOS 17 – September 18, 2023
- iOS 16 – September 12, 2022
- iOS 15 – September 20, 2021
- iOS 14 – September 16, 2020
iOS 26 will only be available for iPhone 11 and newer models, continuing Apple’s slow phasing out of older devices.
What to expect from iOS 18.7
Apple hasn’t officially detailed the contents of iOS 18.7, but based on its timing and historical role, here’s what it likely includes:
- Security vulnerability patches
- Minor bug fixes for iOS 18 features
- Final support for iPhone XS/XR series
- Possibly improved performance for older models
It won’t be exciting, but it’s an important part of keeping aging hardware safe heading into 2026.
The end of the road for iPhone XR and XS
With iOS 18.7, Apple effectively closes the book on several popular iPhones from 2018. Once iOS 26 launches, those devices won’t see any new features or OS updates, only emergency patches, if any.
If you’re still using an XS or XR, now might be the time to start planning an upgrade.
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