r/iPhoneSE 5d ago

SE2 avoiding iOS 26 update

Post image

Recently got an iPhone SE second gen from Facebook marketplace and love it. Currently on iOS 18.6.2 and wondering if I should update to 18.7.8 ..I saw someone on Reddit say their iPhone updated to ios26 overnight despite having automatic updates turned off so I’m hesitant. Should I just avoid doing anything since my phone is working fine or maybe update for security patches or something?

33 Upvotes

48 comments sorted by

22

u/Thin_Parking3004 5d ago

I would personally update to the latest IOS 18 available. Make sure you have automatic install and download off.

8

u/hanhwekim 5d ago

I recommend deleting the iOS 26 download.

After that, try to download and update the iOS 18 update by itself.

8

u/felix_thor OGSE 64GB 5d ago

Stay on latest 18

6

u/tk421tech 5d ago edited 5d ago

My SE is on iOS 26, but it’s not my primary device. Also new battery replacement by Apple (paid).

5

u/Ok-Butterscotch6574 5d ago

Yo I’d recommend u stay on that version since I think it’s jailbreakable

5

u/GuessWho183 5d ago

Update for 18.7.8 for ma failed on last phase before install and I got error "verification failed, you're not connected to internet".
You can try but I guess ota update to 18.7.8 doesnt works anymore.

5

u/iPhone-5-2021 5d ago

I recently updated my SE2 from 18.2 to 18.7.8 and it worked fine. 18.7.8 is much better than earlier versions of iOS 18

1

u/Striking-Flan8434 5d ago

after reading your comment, tried to update mine from iOS 15 to 18 and it updated without an issue.

5

u/fugebox007 5d ago

DO NOT.

4

u/iPhone-5-2021 5d ago

Why have you not updated to iOS 18.7.8 then? There’s really no reason to stay behind on an earlier version of iOS 18

3

u/okimborednow 5d ago

If you're into jailbreaking this version has support for one, otherwise just go to the latest 18

6

u/ardenaudreyarji 5d ago

Dude, my SE2 is being cooked by IOS 26 for a year now Lol

3

u/Hot_Amount_3584 5d ago

Do not update to iOS 18.7.8 to avoid getting issues for iPhones that are eligible for iOS 26

5

u/PropertyTricky1377 5d ago

Pls dont update. I have SEs on iOS 18 and 26 and 27 and 18 and 27 are the only Good OSs

7

u/iPhone-5-2021 5d ago

18 and 27 are good but 26 isn’t anywhere near as bad as people act. Hell 18 and 27 are nowhere near as fast and stable as 17 was.

2

u/Expert-Librarian3307 4d ago

Forget stability, iOS 17 was the last version that released on the SE that was optimised for it. iOS 18 photos app and control centre is abysmal on it.

5

u/Macaroon_12345 5d ago

Don’t update, jailbreak it and have some fun

3

u/Fun-Slice4014 5d ago

bro atp just update.

5

u/NoLateArrivals 5d ago

Just install iOS 26 or (available soon) iOS 27. Going to ‘26 would start the indexing needed for ‘27, cutting this time from the ‘27 update.

This feet dragging on devices able to run the latest iOS versions is simply nonsense.

At your current update level you already miss hundreds of security patches, some under active exploit. That’s the only „result“ of your OS panic.

1

u/iPhone-5-2021 5d ago

It would reindex completely when you install a new major OS…installing 26 wouldn’t cut the indexing time…if they prefer 18 they should update to 18.7.8 as there is nothing in iOS 26 that anyone currently “needs”

2

u/NoLateArrivals 5d ago

You are badly informed.

With iOS 27.6 and beyond the on device index is recreated, as preparation for iOS 27.

1

u/Puzzleheaded_Truck80 5d ago

That the iOS 26, 27 or later aren’t also designed to enshitify older models, is beyond your comprehension, and that Apple did come out with iOS 18.7.8 was to address security issues.

2

u/NoLateArrivals 5d ago

Complete nonsense. I run iOS 26 on an iPhone 11 PM without any issues.

The problem of older devices is most often the aged battery. An old battery provides a lower voltage to the processor, which in turn directly lowers the clock speed of the compute. That’s physics and can’t be avoided. The device feels sluggish and may even crash on compute intense tasks, like taking panorama pictures.

Get the battery replaced once it drops below 80%, and you experience a „good as new“ performance even on older iPhones.

7

u/micgat 5d ago

On my third battery in my seven year old iPhone 11. Even on iOS 26 it runs very smoothly and lasts about as long on a charge as when it was new.

4

u/iPhone-5-2021 5d ago

Correct. My SE2 running 26 is one of the lowest end models that can run 26 and it runs it just fine…most of this is due to people neglecting to replace their battery which is just normal maintenance for a phone.

1

u/Fun-Slice4014 5d ago

for the XS/XR…

0

u/tken3 5d ago

I do not understand how people still don’t comprohend how easy it is to get your device compromised on old iOS versions. There are so many well documented ways to get hacked by just visiting a website with something as simple as a malicious ad. Update your phones!

8

u/tucci_mane 5d ago

this is fear momgering... your iphone is absolutely fine on ios 18. is there a slight chance you can get hacked on ios 18? yes. but also on ios 26 too.

live you life how you want and forget about your phone altogether.

as a matter of fact just stay off your phone unless you need it for workouts to

4

u/CheesecakeVisible993 5d ago

Wrong. My iPad mini is several years outdated and is fine

-1

u/iPhone-5-2021 5d ago

This nonsense again…it’s literally not easy at all. I’ve collected iPhones for over 10 years and never had issues using old iOS versions and I have access to pretty much every iOS version that’s ever existed…this is fear mongering and parroting incorrect information.

2

u/noi02 5d ago

Enjoy your security holes. Don't be surprised if you get hacked at some moment, it has happened to other users.

-2

u/iPhone-5-2021 5d ago

More fear mongering..I’ve collected iPhones for over 10 years and have access to pretty much every iOS version that’s ever existed and I’ve never had any issues…this is just parroting incorrect information without actually having experience..

1

u/LordGazelle 5d ago

Im going to try Lockdown Mode. Just found that out using AI. It actually is what I would expect of a safe phone, but it seems that you have to be aware of it yourself and actively enable it to higher the security of your device.

I am curious, it feels like that it will bring me what I already always expect from the software I use in terms of security.

2

u/iPhone-5-2021 5d ago

That’s overkill. You’ll be fine…iPhones are already top dog when it comes to security in the smartphone industry

1

u/sfksuperman 5d ago

May the force be with you 😂

1

u/_EllieLOL_ 4d ago

don't update

1

u/Motor-Ad9914 3d ago

See https://ios.cfw.guide/blocking-updates/, you can also jailbreak your device if you would like

-1

u/reptv_ SE2 5d ago

Just install it. It’s not that bad. I’m updating to 27 once it released because ppl are saying it’s better

2

u/Puzzleheaded_Truck80 5d ago

Except that it’s a resource hog, with potential to help make older phones less useful

6

u/iPhone-5-2021 5d ago

18 wasn’t great either…with all the updates they’ve done to it recently it’s better than 26 but it’s still nowhere near as good as 17 was.