Apple releases iOS 18.6, macOS 15.6, and other updates as current gen winds down

In a notable move ahead of its highly anticipated software releases, Apple has rolled out updates for several of its operating systems, including iOS 18.6, iPadOS 18.6, macOS Sequoia 15.6, watchOS 11.6, tvOS 18.6, and visionOS 2.6. These updates, which went live today, primarily address a range of security vulnerabilities while also fixing a specific issue related to movie sharing in the Photos app. The latest patches for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS tackle over two dozen vulnerabilities, spanning critical areas such as the Metal graphics API, WebKit, networking, and filesystem permissions. Apple's release notes indicate that, so far, none of the vulnerabilities are actively being exploited, although users are encouraged to update promptly to mitigate any potential risks. For users in the EU using iOS and iPadOS, these updates introduce new features that comply with the Digital Markets Act, allowing the installation of alternative app stores and enabling app downloads directly from websites. Additionally, many of the security fixes are also applicable to older operating systems that Apple continues to support, catering to users unable to upgrade to the latest versions. The update for iPadOS 17.7.9 supports older models that are no longer compatible with iPadOS 18, while macOS Ventura 13.7.7 and macOS Sonoma 14.7.7 provide support for Intel Macs that have been phased out of newer releases. Looking ahead, all these operating systems will be replaced in the fall with new versions unified under the 26 version number, following the recent release of public betas for iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, and more.