Apple has reportedly started sending a new security warning to people still using older versions of iOS and iPadOS, telling them their devices may be exposed to web-based attacks and should be updated as soon as possible. According to MacRumors, the message is appearing as a lock-screen notification tied to the Settings app.
The alert says Apple has identified attacks targeting outdated iPhone software, including the version currently running on the user’s device, and recommends installing a critical update immediately to help protect it. While Apple’s original documentation focused on iOS 13 through iOS 14, the new report says similar warnings are now also being shown on devices running iOS 17 and other older releases.
Apple previously said that two hacking tools, Coruna and DarkSword, could exploit vulnerabilities affecting systems from iOS 13 up to iOS 17.2.1. If someone on those versions taps a malicious link or visits a compromised website, attackers may be able to steal data from the device.
As a reference point, Apple released security updates on March 11 for platforms including iOS 15.8.7 and iOS 16.7.15 to patch the current issue. For users still on iOS 13 or iOS 14, the reported guidance is that they need to move up to iOS 15 in order to receive protection.
Apple is also said to be advising users who can’t upgrade their devices to enable Lockdown Mode, which adds extra protection against malicious web content and other targeted threats. That makes this notice more than a routine update reminder — it’s effectively a warning that unsupported or outdated software now carries a more immediate security risk.
