Apple releases iOS 18.7.7 to block DarkSword, and these iPhone users need to update immediately

Apple has released iOS 18.7.7 and iPadOS 18.7.7 to shield a much larger group of iPhone and iPad users from DarkSword—a hacking toolkit that can quietly ransack a device just from a website visit. The update is notable for who it covers: millions of users on iOS 18 who own hardware capable of running iOS 26 but have chosen not to upgrade. They’ve been sitting exposed for two weeks. That changes now.Users with automatic updates enabled get the patch without lifting a finger. Everyone else can update to either iOS 18.7.7 or iOS 26, though Apple would clearly prefer the latter.

DarkSword targets iPhones and iPads running iOS 18.4 through 18.7. Landing on a compromised website—even a legitimate one that’s been quietly hacked—is enough.