📰 Full Story
Apple released software updates on April 22, 2026, to fix a notification‑logging bug that could let deleted or disappearing messages be retrieved from iPhones and iPads.
The company issued iOS 26.4.2, iPadOS 26.4.2 and backported fixes to iOS 18.7.8 and iPadOS 18.7.8 after reports that notification previews marked for deletion were being retained in an on‑device database.
Independent reporting earlier this month showed the FBI had been able to extract Signal message previews from a device by accessing the internal notification database, even after the app had been deleted and messages set to disappear.
Apple said the update improves data redaction and retroactively purges any notification copies unexpectedly stored on devices.
Messaging app makers and privacy advocates had urged Apple to address the issue; Signal’s leadership publicly requested a fix.
Apple said the problem was a logging bug but did not provide technical details on why notification content had been retained.
Users running affected iOS versions are advised to install the updates to prevent potential exposure of message content to forensic analysis.
🔗 Based On
🕰️ The Story So Far: An Evolving Timeline
Wednesday, April 22, 2026 21:56 UTC
Apple issues iOS 26.4.2 bug and security update
Wednesday, April 22, 2026 21:27 UTC
Apple patches iOS bug exposing deleted messages








💬 Commentary