Apple launches huge free upgrade for millions of iPhone users and it's available now
The update also brings a number of essential security fixes
iOS 18.4 is finally here, and the latest Apple update brings with it a number of huge changes that make downloading it right now an essential move for all iPhone users out there.
It's become a bit of a tradition within the Apple community that new iOS updates aren't always well received, and iOS 18 was especially poorly received when it dropped in September last year.
Unwanted adjustments made to the photo gallery and other key areas prompted many users to search for a means of reverting back to a previous update, although the return of a long-awaited calculator feature and the introduction of a game-changing tool have sweetened the deal a little bit.
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The arrival of iOS 18.4 however has been widely praised, as it not only brings a variety of welcome additions but it also protects your phone with 62 different security vulnerability fixes, making it an essential free move for all iPhone users out there much like the last update.
As reported by Forbes, the update brings "8 new emojis, a new Sketch Style option in Image Playground, recipes in Apple News+, and enhancements to better organize and filter your library in Photos," alongside the aforementioned bug and security fixes.
Overall it's 3.42 GB and you can download it right now, so make sure to head to the Software Update section of your iPhone's Settings menu to get started. If you need to free up some storage space though there are thankfully a few tips that you can use - even just to make room for the new update.
Among the 62 security-related fixes is the solution to a kernel issue (CVE-2025-30432) that allowed malicious apps to attempt password attempts on a locked device, which would then inevitably cause a timeout which locks you out of accessing your phone.
That's why it's essential for you to get the new update downloaded as soon as possible, as it means that you're no longer vulnerable to this threat among many others that'll help keep your phone safe.
Some people across social media still aren't too happy about the size of the update in particular, pointing out that it's not an accurate reflection of the content included:
"3.42 gb, 8 new emoji," outlines one user on Reddit. "It's a very very heavy emoji I must say."
Another comment echoes a similar sentiment, adding: "Top new feature is emojis? We might be at peak iOS."
Others have also pointed out that iOS 18.4 was originally the intended launch version of the long-awaited AI-powered Siri update, which has since been delayed until at least iOS 19, if not even longer, following the removal of Apple Intelligence ads.
However, the new update has added AI support for French, German, Italian, and Spanish users, alongside those in the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong.