Keep your iPad secure

What Apple says may have been exploited

Apple's own words from its security notes, newest first. If one of these applies to your version, install the update listed.

• CoreGraphics · CVE-2026-86950

  “Processing a maliciously crafted file may lead to arbitrary code execution. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals on versions of iOS before iOS 27.”

  Fixed in iPadOS 26.7.1 · 28 Sep 2026 ↗

• dyld · CVE-2026-20700

  “An attacker with memory write capability may be able to execute arbitrary code. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals on versions of iOS before iOS 26. CVE-2025-14174 and CVE-2025-43529 were also issued in response to this report.”

  Fixed in iPadOS 26.3 · 11 Feb 2026 ↗

• WebKit · CVE-2025-43529

  “Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals on versions of iOS before iOS 26. CVE-2025-14174 was also issued in response to this report.”

  Fixed in iPadOS 18.7.3 · 12 Dec 2025 ↗ iPadOS 26.2 · 12 Dec 2025 ↗

• WebKit · CVE-2025-14174

  “Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to memory corruption. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals on versions of iOS before iOS 26. CVE-2025-43529 was also issued in response to this report.”

  Fixed in iPadOS 18.7.3 · 12 Dec 2025 ↗ iPadOS 26.2 · 12 Dec 2025 ↗

• Passcode

  Sets or changes the passcode used to unlock iPad.

  iPad with Face ID

  Settings →then Face ID & Passcode →then Turn Passcode On

  iPad with Touch ID

  Settings →then Touch ID & Passcode →then Turn Passcode On

  Apple's wording and where it used to be
• Face ID

  Sets up facial recognition for unlocking iPad and other options.

  Settings →then Face ID & Passcode →then Set up Face ID

  Apple's wording and where it used to be
• Touch ID

  Fingerprints that unlock iPad, authorize purchases and payments, and sign in to apps (iPad models with Touch ID).

  Settings →then Touch ID & Passcode

  Apple's wording and where it used to be
• Find My iPad

  Controls the Find My iPad feature for locating the device.

  Settings →then [your name] →then Find My →then Find My iPad

  Apple's wording and where it used to be
• Automatic Updates

  Lets iPad download and install software updates automatically.

  Settings →then General →then Software Update →then Automatic Updates

  Apple's wording and where it used to be
• Location Services

  Lets apps and services use information about your location.

  Settings →then Privacy & Security →then Location Services

  Apple's wording and where it used to be
• Allow Apps to Request to Track

  Lists apps that asked permission to track you across other companies’ apps and websites and lets you stop all apps from asking.

  Settings →then Privacy & Security →then Tracking →then Allow Apps to Request to Track

  Apple's wording and where it used to be
• Lockdown Mode

  An optional, extreme protection feature meant only for people who believe they might be targeted by a highly sophisticated cyberattack.

  Settings →then Privacy & Security →then Lockdown Mode

  Apple's wording and where it used to be

Latest security updates

The newest updates Apple published security content for on iPadOS.

• iPadOS 26.7.1

  28 Sep 2026

  Apple: an issue may have been exploited 1 security fix (CVE)

  This update provides security fixes for your iPad.

  Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later

  Apple security notes ↗ Apple release notes ↗

• iPadOS 26.7

  14 Sep 2026

  82 security fixes (CVE)

  This update introduces Playlist Playground and Concerts in Apple Music, and 8 new emoji, along with other features, bug fixes, and security updates for your iPad.

  More from Apple's release notes

  • Apple Music
  • Playlist Playground (beta) generates a playlist from your description, complete with a title, description, and tracklist
  • Concerts helps you discover nearby shows from artists in your library and recommends new artists based on what you listen to
  • Ambient Music widget for Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing brings curated playlists to the Home Screen
  • Full screen backgrounds give album and playlist pages a more immersive look
  • Accessibility
  • Reduce bright effects in Accessibility Settings limits bright flashes on UI elements when tapped
  • Subtitle and caption settings are easier to find when viewing media, with real-time preview available directly from the captions icon
  • This update also includes the following enhancements:
  • Support for AirPods Max 2
  • 8 new emoji including an orca, trombone, landslide, ballet dancer, and distorted face are available in the emoji keyboard

  Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later

  Apple security notes ↗ Apple release notes ↗

• iPadOS 27

  14 Sep 2026

  126 security fixes (CVE)

  A new major release — see what changed in iPadOS 27.

  Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 4th generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 2nd generation and later, iPad Air 4th generation and later, iPad 9th generation and later, and iPad mini 6th generation and later

  Apple security notes ↗ Apple release notes ↗

• iPadOS 18.7.10

  17 Aug 2026

  131 security fixes (CVE) Some models only

  This update provides security fixes for your iPad.

  Available for: iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPad 7th generation

  Apple security notes ↗ Apple release notes ↗

• iPadOS 26.6.1

  17 Aug 2026

  35 security fixes (CVE)

  This update provides security fixes for your iPad.

  Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later

  Apple security notes ↗ Apple release notes ↗

• iPadOS 26.6

  27 Jul 2026

  97 security fixes (CVE)

  This update includes bug fixes, security updates and optimizes the Spotlight index to prepare for iPadOS 27.

  Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later

  Apple security notes ↗ Apple release notes ↗

• iPadOS 26.5.2

  29 Jun 2026

  38 security fixes (CVE)

  This update provides security fixes for your iPad.

  Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later

  Apple security notes ↗ Apple release notes ↗

• iPadOS 17.7.11

  11 May 2026

  1 security fix (CVE) Some models only

  Available for: iPad Pro 12.9-inch 2nd generation, iPad Pro 10.5-inch, and iPad 6th generation

  Apple security notes ↗

• iPadOS 18.7.9

  11 May 2026

  49 security fixes (CVE) Some models only

  This update provides bug fixes and security updates for your iPad.

  Available for: iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPad 7th generation

  Apple security notes ↗ Apple release notes ↗

• iPadOS 26.5

  11 May 2026

  67 security fixes (CVE)

  This update introduces a downloadable Pride Luminance wallpaper, along with enhancements, bug fixes, and security updates for your iPad

  More from Apple's release notes

  • This update includes the following enhancements:
  • Pride Luminance wallpaper that dynamically refracts a spectrum of colors, is available for download
  • Suggested Places in Maps displays recommendations based on what's trending nearby and your recent searches

  Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later

  Apple security notes ↗ Apple release notes ↗

• iPadOS 18.7.8

  22 Apr 2026

  1 security fix (CVE)

  This update provides bug fixes and security updates for your iPad.

  Available for: iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone 11 (all models), iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPhone 12 (all models), iPhone 13 (all models), iPhone SE (3rd generation), iPhone 14 (all models), iPhone 15 (all models), iPhone 16 (all models), iPhone 16e, iPad mini (5th generation - A17 Pro), iPad (7th generation - A16), iPad Air (3rd - 5th generation), iPad Air 11-inch (M2 - M3), iPad Air 13-inch (M2 - M3), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation - M4), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd - 6th generation), and iPad Pro 13-inch (M4)

  Apple security notes ↗ Apple release notes ↗

• iPadOS 26.4.2

  22 Apr 2026

  1 security fix (CVE)

  This update provides bug fixes and security updates for your iPad.

  Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later

  Apple security notes ↗ Apple release notes ↗