On October 8, the Software Update screen on iPhones still running iOS 26 got a quiet rearrangement. iOS 27.0.1 now takes the top spot, and iOS 26.7.1 has been pushed down into a smaller “Also Available” section, according to a report from MacRumors. You can still stay on iOS 26, but the big, obvious button is no longer the one that keeps you there.
Nothing is being forced. Apple still offers iOS 26.7.1 to every iPhone 11 and newer, and that release patches a flaw Apple believes was used in targeted attacks. The trick is knowing where to tap so you get the fix without the jump to iOS 27.
What moved on the Software Update screen
Until this week, an iPhone on iOS 26 showed the next iOS 26 release first (iOS 26.7, then iOS 26.7.1) and tucked iOS 27 underneath as the optional extra. Apple has now swapped the two. Both updates came out on the same day, so the order on screen is a choice Apple made, not a sign that one of them is newer.
| Update | Released | Where it shows now | Published security fixes |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS 27.0.1 | September 28, 2026 | Main update at the top | None listed by Apple |
| iOS 26.7.1 | September 28, 2026 | Also Available | One CoreGraphics fix |
For context, iOS 27 itself and iOS 26.7 both arrived on September 14. Our iOS 27 release date breakdown covers the run-up to that launch if you want the backstory.
What you need before you stay on iOS 26
The list is short, because this is a choice rather than a hardware limit. Apple lists iPhone 11 and later for both iOS 26.7.1 and iOS 27.0.1, so no iPhone that runs iOS 26 is locked out of the newer version.
- An iPhone 11 or newer that is currently on iOS 26.
- A fresh backup in iCloud or on your computer.
- A Wi-Fi connection and a charger, which Apple recommends for any wireless update.
- Two minutes to check your Automatic Updates settings, so the decision you make today sticks.
How to stay on iOS 26 and install iOS 26.7.1
To stay on iOS 26, you follow the same path you always have. The only difference is which entry you pick once you get there.
- Back up your iPhone with iCloud or with your Mac or PC.
- Plug it in and join Wi-Fi.
- Open Settings, tap General, then tap Software Update.
- Skip past the iOS 27.0.1 card at the top. Do not tap Download and Install on it.
- Scroll down to Also Available and tap the iOS 26.7.1 entry.
- Tap Download and Install, enter your passcode and follow the prompts.
- When the phone restarts, open Software Update again. iOS 27.0.1 will still be offered, which is expected. Leave it alone until you decide otherwise.
If the iPhone asks to remove some apps temporarily to make room, Apple says those apps come back after the install. You can also cancel and clear space yourself first. New to the update screen? Our guide on how to update your iPhone or iPad covers the Wi-Fi and computer methods and what to do when an install gets stuck.
Turn off Automatically Install so iOS 27 waits for you
Apple does not spell out whether Automatically Install would ever move a phone from iOS 26 to iOS 27 on its own. If you want to stay on iOS 26 on your terms, take that question off the table.
- Go to Settings, then General, then Software Update, then Automatic Updates.
- Under the iPhone updates section, turn off Automatically Install.
- Under System Files, leave Automatically Install on. Apple says this lets system files update without changing your software version.
Automatically Download is fine. Once Automatically Install is off, a second switch appears that only downloads updates in the background. A downloaded update sits there until you tap install, so it will not upgrade you behind your back.
Reasons to hold off on iOS 27, and the one update not to skip
Good reasons to wait. A work app or accessory you rely on has not been updated for iOS 27 yet. You like your phone exactly as it is. You would rather let a few point releases land before making the leap. All of these are sensible, and you can stay on iOS 26 for any of them without giving up protection, as long as you keep patching.
Why iOS 26.7.1 matters. Apple’s security notes for iOS 26.7.1 describe a CoreGraphics bug where opening a booby-trapped file could let an attacker run code. Apple says it knows of a report that the bug “may have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals,” and it ties those attacks to iOS releases older than iOS 27. Most people are not the target of that kind of attack, but this is still not a patch to sit on.
What the iOS 27.0.1 listing tells you. Apple lists no published CVE entries for iOS 27.0.1, which only means it documented no security fixes in that release. Apple’s note on the CoreGraphics bug points to versions before iOS 27, which suggests the newer system already avoids it.
Back in January, we looked at how slowly people moved to the last big release in iOS 26 adoption rates trail far behind previous iOS releases. Apple has not shared iOS 27 numbers yet, but nudging the newer version to the top of the screen is one way to speed things along.
What Apple has not said yet
Apple has not said how long it will keep shipping security fixes for iOS 26, and it has not said whether the Also Available option will stick around for every future patch. It also has not explained why it flipped the order now. If you plan to stay on iOS 26 for months, check the Software Update screen after each new release so you notice the day the older track goes quiet.
Frequently asked questions
Can I stay on iOS 26 and still get security updates?
Yes, for now. Apple released iOS 26.7.1 with a security fix on September 28, 2026, and it is still offered under Also Available. Apple has not said how long that will continue.
Can the iPhone 11 run iOS 26 and iOS 27?
Yes. Apple lists iPhone 11 and later for both iOS 26.7.1 and iOS 27.0.1, so the iPhone 11 can stay on either version.
Does turning off Automatically Install stop all updates?
No. You can still install any update by hand, and leaving Automatically Install on under System Files keeps small system file updates coming without changing your iOS version.
Should you stay on iOS 26 for now?
If something specific is holding you back, it is perfectly reasonable to stay on iOS 26 for now, as long as you install iOS 26.7.1 from Also Available today and turn off Automatically Install. If nothing is holding you back, iOS 27.0.1 is a fine place to land and the button is right there. Either way, the one wrong answer is no update at all.
