IOS 16.7.15 security update is now rolling out to a wide range of older iPhones and iPads that no longer receive the latest versions of Apple's operating system.
Apple says these emergency releases bring "important security fixes" rather than new features, but for users hanging on to ageing hardware, they may be some of the most significant updates in years.
Apple has released iOS 16.7.15 and iPadOS 16.7.15 for models that stopped at iOS 16, alongside iOS 15.8.7 and iPadOS 15.8.7 for even older devices. Eligible iPhones include iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, the first-generation iPhone SE, iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. On the tablet side, iPad (5th generation), the first-generation 12.9-inch and 9.7-inch iPad Pro, and iPad mini 4 are among the devices receiving the patches.
The iOS 16.7.15 security update and its 15.8.7 counterpart address vulnerabilities linked to the Coruna exploit kit, a sophisticated campaign revealed by Google and other researchers this month. Coruna chains together 23 separate flaws across five full exploit chains to compromise iPhones running versions from iOS 13 through iOS 17.2.1, targeting kernel and WebKit components to execute arbitrary code and potentially steal sensitive data. Apple's security notes confirm that iOS 16.7.15 and iOS 15.8.7 include fixes for these kernel and WebKit bugs, closing holes that had already been patched in newer iOS releases but remained open on older hardware.
Updating is straightforward. Users should open Settings, tap General, then Software Update, and check for iOS 16.7.15 or iOS 15.8.7, before downloading and installing over Wi-Fi with sufficient battery or while plugged in. Devices with automatic updates enabled may receive the new software in the background over the coming days.
By pushing iOS 16.7.15 security update builds to devices that are nearly a decade old, Apple is effectively extending the security lifespan of models such as the iPhone 6s and iPhone 7 well beyond the usual five-to-six-year support window. Given the scale and sophistication of the Coruna campaign, which has been linked to spyware and financially motivated attacks, delaying installation could leave older phones and tablets exposed. For anyone still relying on these devices day to day, installing the update promptly is one of the simplest, and most powerful, steps they can take to stay secure.