If you have an iPhone in your pocket, there is very likely a software update waiting for you that you can install today. Apple has just pushed out its latest update to iOS, iOS 26.2.1, and you’ll need to get it running as soon as possible if you plan on picking up Apple’s latest gadget.

iOS 26.2.1 is, as the two decimal points suggest, a relatively minor update as far as iPhone software goes, but it brings full compatibility with Apple’s brand new AirTag. Announced on Monday, the new AirTag costs just £29 and brings notable upgrades on the very popular first generation smart tag that Apple launched way back in 2021.

If you want to use the new AirTag and take advantage of its extended range thanks to the Ultra Wideband chip, plus the allegedly louder speaker to locate that chiming tag, you need to install iOS 26.2.1.

Apple says that “this update provides support for AirTag (2nd generation) along with bug fixes.”

The new AirTag is also said to improve Apple’s clever Precision Finding tool, which gives on-screen arrow instructions to locate a tag, by bringing this previously iPhone-only feature to the smaller display of the latest Apple Watch models.

All iPhones including the iPhone 11 series and later are compatible with iOS 26.2.1, so you can head to your Settings app now and see if there is an update waiting to download or install in General > Software Update.

Apple has been more tight-lipped about the “bug fixes” this iOS update also fixes, but it’s always advisable to install the newest available software version – even if in this instance, you have no intention of buying the new AirTag.

There are certainly bigger iOS updates coming later this year. As noted by 9to5Mac, iOS 26.3 is expected to introduce end-to-end encryption for RCS text messages sent between iPhones and Android phones, something that would be a giant step to truly replacing traditional SMS messaging.

For the longest time, texts sent by Android users to iPhone appeared as green bubbles, and were sent as SMS messages. But Apple recently agreed to allow RCS (rich communication Services) compatibility with Android, which means though the bubbles stay green, messages are now sent and received between the operating systems using more secure internet-based messaging that includes things such as hi-res photo support and typing indicators.

Adding full encryption to this is a great step towards bringing down some of the messaging barriers between iPhone and Android, though this disparity is more keenly observed in the US. Over here in the UK, we just use WhatsApp – a good alternative, but if you prefer the Messages app on your iPhone, iOS 26.3 should be one to watch out for.