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iOS 11.2.6 Released for iPhones with Patch for 'Telugu' Character Bug

Feb 19, 2018 10:01 PM

Feb 19, 2018 10:06 PM

iOS 11.2.6 update details for iPhone or iPad software.

Apple released the official iOS 11.2.6 update Monday for iPhones, which comes just under four weeks after Apple pushed iOS 11.2.5 to users. This latest update was released off Apple's normal release schedule to quickly patch the "Telugu" character bug that causes erratic behavior when viewed in apps.

To download and install the update, open the Settings app, tap "General," then tap "Software Update." Follow the on-screen directions to begin the update process.

iPhone software update screen displaying version details and instructions.

Enter passcode screen on a mobile device.

Software update screen on an iPhone showing version details and installation progress.

The iOS 11.2.6 update comes as Apple faces yet another crippling iOS glitch, this time affecting almost any app, especially messaging apps like Messages and social media apps like Twitter. The bug is triggered when an iPhone receives a single Telugu (a Dravidian language native to India) character. The character causes the iOS springboard to reload and will prevent users from opening the app the character was sent to.

While there is a fix if the character is sent to Messages, third-party apps are more difficult to reopen. However, iOS 11.2.6 patches the glitch, so users who update should not worry about the character continuing to create problems on their iPhones.

Besides the Telugu patch, Apple states the update fixes an issue where some third-party apps could fail to connect to external accessories. If you've noticed this bug affecting your iPhone communication with accessories, this update should solve the issue.

The more exciting changes are with iOS 11.3, which is currently in beta testing. Users can expect new features such as Messages on iCloud, new Animoji on iPhone X, more transparent battery health information, and the option to disable performance throttling.

The iOS 11.3 beta is open to developers and public testers alike. If interested, check out the guide below to download and install the latest 11.3 beta to your iPhone today.

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Cover image and screenshots by Justin Meyers/Gadget Hacks

The next big software update for iPhone is coming sometime in April and will include a Food section in Apple News+, an easy-to-miss new Ambient Music app, Priority Notifications thanks to Apple Intelligence, and updates to apps like Mail, Photos, Podcasts, and Safari. See what else is coming to your iPhone with the iOS 18.4 update.