Re:iOS 26.3 and macOS 26.3 Fix Dozens of Vulnerabilities, In...
by MYEUHD on Friday February 13, 2026 @12:21PM
(#47005186)
> In the past, Apple has usually let you hold back on an older version and shipped security updates for all devices, not just ones that are incapable of running the new OS, but not this time.
No they haven't been, for the past several years: https://www.macrumors.com/2025/12/19/ios-18-forced-ios-26-up...
They are explicitly choosing to only release security updates for 18.x to devices which are not eligible for liquid glass.
iPhone 14 was deemed capable of running liquid glass, even though it has worse battery life and performs sluggishly.
In the past, Apple has usually let you hold back on an older version and shipped security updates for all devices, not just ones that are incapable of running the new OS, but not this time.