Why Apple's iOS 26.6 is worth installing (it's not just for the 91 security fixes)

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.ZDNET's key takeawaysApple's iOS 26.6 preps your phone for Siri AI searches.The update also patches 91 security vulnerabilities.This will likely be the last update before iOS 27 rolls out.Apple has pushed out iOS 26.6, likely its last update for the current operating system. And though this seems like a minor one, there is one key reason to install it if you intend to use Siri AI in iOS 27.On its support page for iOS 26.6, Apple says that this update optimizes the Spotlight index to prepare for iOS 27. This refers to a new skill in Apple's Spotlight search tool that will let you ask Siri AI questions about your on-device apps, files, settings, contacts, calendar, and more. To find the information you seek, iOS needs to index all that content. iOS 26.6 will kickstart this process, so the index is already built by the time you update to iOS 27.Also: Will your iPhone support Siri AI? The answer is complicatedKeep in mind, though, that not all iPhones will support the new AI capabilities. Apple Intelligence and Siri AI require an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max, any iPhone 16, or any iPhone 17. Older models starting with the iPhone 11, the latest iPhone SE, and the iPhone Air will be able to update to iOS 27, but without Siri AI along for the ride.Still, if you do have the right type of phone, installing iOS 26.6 will let you tap into Siri AI for Spotlight searches more quickly once you've moved to iOS 27. To grab the latest update, head to Settings, select General, and then tap Software Update. Tap the Update Now button to install the new version.The same reason and steps apply to iPadOS. To use Siri AI on an iPad, you'll need an iPad Pro M1 or later, an iPad Air M1 or later, or an iPad mini with the A17 Pro chip.Security fixes tooAside from the Siri-related perks, there are a few other benefits in iOS/iPadOS 26.6.Topping the list are the usual security fixes. This latest update patches a hefty 91 security vulnerabilities. The fixes address flaws in apps and features such as the App Store, Contacts, Siri, Game Center, Wi-Fi, the iOS Kernel, and Apple's WebKit. Even without the Siri Spotlight indexing, you'll want to snag this update for the security patches alone.Also: The 5 best iPads: We've tested every iPad- these are the best onesOtherwise, the update alerts you if you try to add more than 20,000 blocked contacts (though I can't imagine too many people reaching this threshold). If you do happen to accumulate that number, you'll have to remove an existing blocked number before you can add another. There's also increased protection against malware in Apple Maps.Along with the latest updates for iOS and iPadOS, Apple has released 26.6 versions for MacOS, WatchOS, TVOS, and VisionOS. So you may want to update all your devices now as we await the expected release of the new 27 versions in September.