Updated Jan. 28 with more details of what’s in the release, and what’s not. Plus a feature that has come to light since the release of iOS 26.2.1.
Apple’s latest iPhone update is not, as had been predicted, iOS 26.3 — though you can read here why I thought it had been delayed. Instead, Apple has just launched iOS 26.2.1 and, unlike most minor update numbers, this one includes new features. Intriguingly, Apple has now revealed that there are no security updates in this release. More on why that’s unusual, and important, below. And since the launch of iOS 26.2.1, an extra feature has come to light, affecting emergency call problems in one country, Australia.
Which iPhones Can Run iOS 26.2.1?
This update is for all iPhones from 2019 onwards. That means the iPhone 11 and all iPhones since, including the iPhone SE in both its second- and third-generation models. And all members of the iPhone 17 series are included.
How To Download And Install iOS 26.2.1
Open the iPhone Settings app, then choose General, followed by Software Update. Next, click on Download and Install, and it’ll be on your phone shortly. It’s a moderate-sized update, as these things go, weighing 838.9MB on my iPhone 17 Pro Max. It downloaded and installed quickly — less than 10 minutes total. Your mileage may vary.
iOS 26.2.1 — What’s In The Release
Apple’s Release Notes are specific: This update provides support for AirTag (2nd generation) along with bug fixes.
Usually, a minor number update would just be about squishing bugs, but AirTag, which was an unexpected release on Monday, Jan. 26, changed the weather.
The new AirTag has Apple’s second-generation Ultra Wideband chip offering a greater Precision Finding range. It also has an improved Bluetooth chip, a distinctive new chime and is 50% louder than the previous AirTag.
All of which required an iOS update to manage it.
New AirTag Features Require iOS 26.2.1
Incidentally, it also works with child-safe batteries, which the earlier versions of the first-gen AirTag didn’t. Some of the new AirTag’s features require Apple Watch Series 9 or later or Apple Watch Ultra 2 or later to connect directly to the watch. Beyond that, the update is focused on bug fixes.
Why Updating To iOS 26 Now Matters
It’s worth remembering that iPhone 11 to iPhone 16 inclusive also work with iOS 18, but there are no more iOS 18 updates which are being offered for those phones. To be up to date, you need to be running iOS 26. Apple released iOS 18.7.4 at the same time as iOS 26.2.1, but this is restricted to the three iPhones which can run iOS 18 but not iOS 26, specifically iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR.
What’s Not In iOS 26.2.1
Apple has slightly turned its regular convention on its head with this release. Usually, new features are reserved for major point releases, such as iOS 26.1 or iOS 26.2, for instance. Minor point releases like iOS 26.0.1 or this one, iOS 26.2.1 are full of bug fixes and, crucially, security updates.
Soon after the update is released, Apple reveals what the security content of the new version entails, something it did on Jan. 26 in a support document. Here, however, it specified that “This update has no published CVE entries,” which confirms that though there are bug fixes, there are no security updates in this release.
iOS 26.2.1: The Extra Feature
After the release, Apple updated one of its support documents to say that the new software should be installed to ensure that the iPhone is able to make emergency calls on the 000 number which is used in Australia.
“Australian mobile network operators continue to improve support for emergency calling on their networks. This follows prior incidents, including a technical failure that prevented some older mobile phones from being able to make emergency calls (Triple Zero). This impacted some Australians in regional areas who attempted to make an emergency call when their primary mobile network was unavailable, even though an alternate network was available and should have connected the call. Mobile operators are taking steps to mitigate future issues,” the document said.
“Software updates are available,” it went on. Some of those updates, iOS 12.5.8, iOS 15.8.6, iOS 16.7.13 and iOS 18.7.4, have since been removed again by Apple, though these are doubtless being tweaked now so they can be reissued. After all, for some of the earliest phones, the update is essential for full services to continue to work. You can read more about the other updates here. I’ll be updating that post when those removed releases are back.
The latest version, iOS 26.2.1, is still available and ready to be downloaded. You can read my suggestion about whether or not to install it here.
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