Get ready for another iPhone update: an unexpected release, iOS 26.0.2, is almost here, it seems. Here’s the what, why and when of the next release.

Updating your iPhone may feel like a frequent activity. After iOS 26 went on general release on Monday, Sept. 15, there was a day-one update for buyers of the new iPhone 17 series and iPhone Air on Friday, Sept. 19. (And that small section of the press who received early samples for review had to install two updates in a matter or days.)

Then came the first, speedy update, iOS 26.0.1, in almost record time, on Monday, Sept. 29. Enough, then, until iOS 26.1, already in beta, surely?

Actually, no. According to a new report in MacRumors, iOS 26.0.2 is on the way and will arrive before iOS 26.1, of course. “Apple's software engineers are internally testing iOS 26.0.2, according to MacRumors logs, which have been a reliable indicator of upcoming iOS versions,” the site says.

It’s not clear what will be in the update, though it’s almost certainly a series of bug fixes and doubtless security updates rather than new features — those will be saved for iOS 26.1.

Another report, in 9to5Mac, had more commentary. “With this year’s Liquid Glass massive redesign, there’s likely to be performance improvements and fixes for issues that users have since reported in this release, rather than just security patches,” it said.

So, when can we expect to see the new release? Let’s work backwards. The bigger update, iOS 26.1, has had several beta releases already and is expected to land around the end of the month, perhaps around Oct. 27 or Nov. 3. That means that iOS 26.0.1 will likely arrive a week or two earlier, that is, Oct. 20 or Oct. 27. This coming week, beginning Oct. 13 seems too early. I’ll report back as soon as there’s more news, but I’m betting on Monday, Oct. 20 or Tuesday, Oct. 21.