April 23, 2026, 12:29 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Just under two weeks after the release of iOS 26.4.1, Apple has rolled out a second mini-update for the iPhone. Instead of new features, it includes an important patch for a security vulnerability that the FBI in the U.S. has actively used to spy on messenger messages.
As is typical with this type of update, Apple does not provide detailed information about the content of iOS 26.4.2 in the release notes. Instead, the settings only display the generic text, “This update includes important bug fixes and security updates for your iPhone.”
App Notifications Viewable After Deletion
A quick look at the overview page for Apple security updates and measures reveals that there’s more to the patch than the release notes suggest. Apple specifically mentions a security-related error that iOS 26.4.2 corrects: “Messages marked for deletion may have been unexpectedly retained on the device.”
Also of interest: FBI can’t bypass Apple’s lockdown mode on the iPhone
In plain terms, this means that app notifications, even after deletion–such as by swiping away or reading the message–were still stored on the device and could be viewed later. According to Apple, the issue has been resolved in iOS 26.4.2 through improved data cleansing in the logging process.
Why Apple Is Releasing iOS 18.7.1 Now and Who Should Install It
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FBI Could Read Deleted Messages
The timing of the update’s release is no coincidence. In early April, “404 Media” reported that the FBI was able to extract deleted Signal messages from a suspect’s notification database on the iPhone. The U.S. investigative agency had physical access to the device. During forensic analysis, it was able to access the stored push notifications.
Although the suspect had already removed the Signal messenger from the device, the notifications could still be accessed later due to the aforementioned error in the iPhone’s notification logging.
Should You Install the Update Immediately?
The content of iOS 26.4.2 may only affect a relatively small group of users. However, it doesn’t hurt to block access to the notification storage on the iPhone for law enforcement agencies–and other external accessors. TECHBOOK therefore recommends installation.
iOS 26.4.2 is available for iPhone 11 and newer, and in the form of iPadOS 26.4.2 for iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and newer, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and newer, iPad Air 3rd generation and newer, iPad 8th generation and newer, and iPad mini 5th generation and newer. To receive the same protection against access to deleted notifications, owners of iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max can update to iOS 18.7.8.