Govt Issues High-Risk Alert for iPhone, iPad Users in India

India’s national cybersecurity agency has issued a high-severity warning for Apple mobile devices running outdated software, advising users to install the latest updates immediately to avoid complete device failure.

The Computer Emergency Response Team of India (CERT-In) flagged a vulnerability in Darwin notifications, a core messaging framework used by iOS and iPadOS. Devices on versions earlier than iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 17.3 can be exploited by a malicious application—without requiring elevated permissions—to send unauthorized commands that can freeze or “brick” an iPhone or iPad.

Security analysts say the flaw allows hostile code to interrupt critical system processes, potentially rendering the device unresponsive until it is reset. In the most severe cases, the hardware may become permanently inaccessible without professional servicing.

Apple addressed the vulnerability in its most recent software release. Users are urged to open Settings, select General, then tap Software Update to apply iOS 18.3 or iPadOS 17.3. Skipping these patches leaves phones and tablets at risk of sudden crashes or complete shutdowns.

In its advisory, CERT-In also reminded consumers to obtain apps exclusively from the official App Store and to watch for unusual battery drain, spontaneous restarts or overheating—signs of possible compromise. This alert follows Apple’s global notice on spyware threats targeting mobile users, underscoring ongoing concerns over mobile security.