Why iPhone Users Should Update and Restart Their Devices Right Now

Apple iPhone users are being urged to take immediate action: update and restart their devices without delay. According to a recent security report by Malwarebytes, serious vulnerabilities have been discovered in Apple’s iOS that are already being actively exploited by hackers .

This is not a routine update warning. Security experts say the risks are real, ongoing, and could affect millions of users who delay installing the latest iOS updates.

What’s the Security Threat?

The issue lies within WebKit, Apple’s web browser engine that powers Safari and many other apps that display web content. Malwarebytes reports that attackers are exploiting a zero-day vulnerability, meaning it was used by hackers before Apple had a chance to fully patch it .

Because WebKit runs in the background of many apps, users don’t even need to open Safari to be exposed. Simply clicking a malicious link or visiting a compromised webpage could allow attackers to execute harmful code on the device.

Why This Is Especially Dangerous

WebKit vulnerabilities are particularly serious because they can be used for remote code execution. In simple terms, this means an attacker could potentially gain control over parts of your iPhone without you noticing.

Security researchers warn that such exploits are often used in:

- Spyware campaigns

- Surveillance attacks

- Financial fraud

- Identity theft

Malwarebytes emphasizes that these attacks are already happening “in the wild,” making immediate action critical rather than optional .

Why Updating Alone Is Not Enough

One key detail many users overlook is the importance of restarting their iPhone after updating.

Updating installs Apple’s security patches, but restarting the device helps clear out memory-resident malware. Some advanced threats operate only in the device’s memory and disappear after a reboot. Without restarting, parts of malicious code could still be running even after the update.

In short:

- Updating fixes the vulnerability

- Restarting removes potential in-memory threats

- You need both steps for full protection.

Which iPhones Are Most at Risk?

Malwarebytes notes that Apple has introduced stronger memory protection features in newer iOS versions. Devices running the latest major iOS releases receive the strongest defenses, while older versions remain more vulnerable .

Users who delay updates, disable automatic updates, or rely on outdated iOS versions are at a higher risk of being targeted, especially as attackers often reverse-engineer security patches to exploit unpatched phones.

What You Should Do Immediately

Apple and security experts recommend the following steps:

- Go to Settings → General → Software Update

- Install the latest available iOS version

- Restart your iPhone immediately after updating

- Enable Automatic Updates to avoid future delays

- Be cautious with links, especially from unknown sources

For users who believe they may be targeted by sophisticated attacks, Apple also offers Lockdown Mode, which reduces certain functionalities to enhance security.

Cybersecurity threats are evolving, and even devices known for strong security like iPhones are not immune. The Malwarebytes report makes it clear: this is an urgent situation, not a precautionary warning .

Taking just a few minutes to update and restart your iPhone could protect your personal data, finances, and privacy from real-world attacks already in progress. If you haven’t updated yet, now is the time.

You have been warned. If your iPhone is not running one of two versions of iOS, you’re now at serious risk from new attacks targeting Apple’s devices. And Apple’s confirmed attack warnings keep coming at users. For most iPhone users, this means you must upgrade to iOS 26 immediately, if you have not done so already.

If you upgrade now or have done so recently, then your iPhone will have powered down and restarted to install the new software. Remember when Apple warns you to update your iPhone, a restart is a key part of that. If you’re not running iOS 26.2 or iOS 18.7.3, then you need to perform that reboot manually. And you need to do that now.