Update to iOS 17.6 immediately — Apple fixes 35 urgent security flaws

iOS 17 logo on iPhone
(Image credit: Future)

For those who haven't started dabbling with the iOS 18 public beta, Apple has released iOS 17.6 with 35 critical security fixes that'll help keep your phone secure from hackers and other malicious sorts. If you typically hold off on updating your phone for whatever reason, you'll want to make sure that iOS 17.6 is something you install right away.

The software update fixes issues with the Kernel for the iOS operating system. It also solves some problems with WebKit. Apple didn't dive too heavily into specifics, as it wants users to be able to update before the hacking world at large knows all of the exploits. Once everything gets out, it'll be easier for hackers to take advantage of these exploits, which is especially concerning for the Kernel bug.

Apple did offer some information about the exploits, so we at least know what's fixed. First, in the Kernal, the bugs are tracked as CVE-2024-27863 and CVE-2024-40788. The first could let an attacker determine the Kernel memory layout, and the second could enable a hacker to cause an unexpected system shutdown. Neither outcome sounds good, especially when you can avoid them with a simple update.

Another notable fix comes to Siri, as an attacker with physical access to the phone could use Apple's personal assistant to access sensitive user data. Shortcuts received a few similar fixes, and an attack could use them to get around security and access sensitive user data. 

As mentioned, there are 35 total fixes outlined on Apple's iOS 17.6 support page, so if you're curious about what kinds of issues were running around in your phone before the update, it'll break it all down for you. It's worth noting that there's no evidence that any of these exploits are being used in the wild, but it's only a matter of time.

The iPhone is already near the top of our best phone list, and this extra layer of security offered by iOS 17.6 is just icing on the cake. And if you're unsure how to update your iPhone, read our guide.

More from Tom's Guide

Category
Arrow
Arrow
Back to Mobile Cell Phones
Brand
Arrow
Storage Size
Arrow
Colour
Arrow
Condition
Arrow
Price
Arrow
Any Price
Showing 10 of 91 deals
Filters
Arrow
Our Review
1
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB
Verizon
(256GB 12GB RAM)
Our Review
2
SAMSUNG Galaxy S24 Ultra Dual...
Amazon
Our Review
3
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 512...
Samsung
(512GB)
Our Review
4
OnePlus - 12 512GB (Unlocked)...
Best Buy
Our Review
5
Google Pixel 8 Pro 128 GB in...
Visible
(128GB)
Our Review
6
Pixel 8 Pro Bay 128GB...
Google Store NA
(256GB Blue)
Our Review
7
iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB (with...
Straight Talk
(Blue)
Our Review
8
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB...
Total Wireless
Our Review
9
Google Pixel 8 Pro - 128 GB
AT&T Mobility
(256GB Silver)
Our Review
10
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra...
Walmart
Show more
Dave LeClair
Senior News Editor

Dave LeClair is the Senior News Editor for Tom's Guide, keeping his finger on the pulse of all things technology. He loves taking the complicated happenings in the tech world and explaining why they matter. Whether Apple is announcing the next big thing in the mobile space or a small startup advancing generative AI, Dave will apply his experience to help you figure out what's happening and why it's relevant to your life.

Read more
Apple iPhone 16 held in the hand.
iOS 18.3.1 — update your iPhone right now to fix critical zero-day vulnerability
iPhone 16 Pro shown held in hand
Apple just patched its first zero-day flaw of the year — update your iPhone and Mac right now
Apple iPhone 16 Plus Review.
Apple just released an emergency security update for a flaw used in an ‘extremely sophisticated attack’ — update your devices right now
iOS 18 home screen customization features
Apple will no longer allow users to downgrade from iOS 18.3 — here’s why
iPhone lock screen showing Control Center shortcuts and the iOS 18 logo
iOS 18.3 is available now — here’s the new features for your iPhone
Google Pixel 9 held in the hand.
Google just fixed a zero-day kernel flaw used by hackers and 47 other vulnerabilities — update your Android phone right now
Latest in iPhones
iPhone 17 Air render
iPhone 17 Air — new survey could be bad news for Apple's super thin iPhone
Render of the alleged design of the iPhone 17 Pro
New iPhone 17 Pro dummy leak highlights redesigned camera and part glass body
Siri in iOS 18 on iPhone
Users complain that Siri can’t answer even the most basic questions — here’s what we know
iPhone 16 next to samsung galaxy watch 7 and bose wireless earbuds on a composite image
Apple's walled garden is crumbling — EU orders iOS to open up to third-party devices
Apple iPhone 16 & 16 Plus hands-on.
Forget USB-C — a truly portless iPhone just got the all-clear from the EU
iPhone Flip render
iPhone Flip could solve one of the biggest problems with foldable phones — here's how
Latest in News
Rendered images of rumored foldable iPhone.
Foldable iPhone report just revealed key details — here's what we know
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Saturday, March 23 (#651)
NYT Strands on a cellphone
NYT Strands today — hints, spangram and answers for game #385 (Sunday, March 23 2025)
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 rumored specs — here’s what we know so far
iPhone 17 Pro render
iPhone 17 Pro — 7 biggest rumored upgrades
CAD renderings of the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL
Pixel 10 leak could be good news for all Android phones
  • theoldcoot
    They didn't fix a huge nagging complaint that users are getting with Messages. People are finding that when trying to text Androids they are coming to a road block , be it in individual texts or in groups.
    Reply