Apple has today released software version 26.2.1 for the iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS platforms. Apple has also released updates for the iOS/iPadOS 12, iOS/iPadOS 15, iOS/iPadOS 16, and iOS/iPadOS 18 operating systems.
According to Apple's release notes, these updates include the announced support for Precision Finding of the new AirTag on Apple Watch Series 9/Ultra 2 and later,, along with other unspecified bug fixes.
As the 26.2.1 updates were not distributed to external testers prior to their release, we do not have any information on whether they contain any accessibility fixes for blind, DeafBlind, or low vision users at the time of writing. However, as software version 26.3 is already on the way and in public testing, we do not expect today's releases to contain any such fixes. If you spot any changes in your own use of this software, please do let us know by posting a comment below.
Release Notes
iOS 26.2.1
This update provides support for AirTag (2nd generation) along with bug fixes.
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/100100
iPadOS 26.2.1
This update provides support for AirTag (2nd generation) along with bug fixes.
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/100100
watchOS 26.2.1
This update provides support for AirTag (2nd generation) along with bug fixes.
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/100100
How to update
iOS and iPadOS 26.2.1 are available via Over-the-Air Update (Settings > General > Software Update), via Finder on a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, or via iTunes on a PC or Mac with macOS Mojave or earlier.
watchOS 26.2.1 is available via Over-the-Air Update (Settings > General > Software Update) or by going to the Watch app on your iPhone and navigating to General > Software Update. To install the update, your Watch must be connected to its charger and have at least 50% battery power.
Comments
Everything looks OK so far
Everything looks OK so far. I just updated my iPhone SE 2022 to iOS 26.2.1. I didn’t expect anything major to happen. I know it’s just a security update but just thought I’d come on here and say that everything looks good so far. I will let you guys know if anything changes with my primary phone which is an iPhone 15 as well when I do that later.
updating phone and watch now
I'll be curious to find out if this is the update which will finally allow the Siri voice from my phone to actually show up on my watch. They haven't matched ever since I got the Apple Watch Ultra 3 this past October or whenever it was. It's not a crisis by any means, but it drives me nuts because I clearly remember my original watch being able to use the better quality American Siri voice four that's on my iphone. I've tried changing to different siri voices, and those will match up just fine with their equivelents on my phone, but I really like the quality of American Siri voice 4 on the phone, so that's what I'd prefer to use. The only thing I haven't done yet is reset my watch and set it up again. Since I have cell service on the watch, I'm a bit apprehensive of messing that up by erasing the watch and setting it up from scratch.
Missy Hoppe
Just fixing bugs and update for the new AirTag. Nothing major. Long live cats.