Apple Issues Emergency iOS 18 Security Patch for All iPhones to Block DarkSword Exploit

Apple has released an emergency security update for all iPhone users running iOS 18, patching a critical exploit chain known as DarkSword that has been actively spreading in the wild, 9to5Mac reported Wednesday. The update, iOS 18.7.7 with build number 22H340, was delivered as a backported patch -- meaning Apple pushed it to all supported iPhone models regardless of whether users had upgraded to the latest major iOS version. This approach is reserved for vulnerabilities serious enough that Apple judges it necessary to protect users who have not kept their software current. DarkSword is described as an exploit chain, meaning it links multiple vulnerabilities together to achieve a more powerful attack capability than any single flaw would permit. Apple has not provided technical details about the specific vulnerabilities involved, which is standard practice to limit the information available to attackers before the patch is widely installed. The update follows an earlier advisory that Apple issued in late March warning of DarkSword's proliferation. At the time, the company said a fix was in development. Wednesday's release delivers on that commitment. Users running iOS 18 on any supported iPhone model are urged to install the update immediately. The patch can be applied by navigating to Settings, then General, then Software Update. iPhones configured for automatic updates should receive the patch without manual intervention. 9to5Mac reported the iOS 18.7.7 release on April 1, 2026.