Apple’s latest iPhone update — iOS 26.2 — is now rolling out with a mix of practical new features (think AirDrop codes, alarm-style Reminders, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and smarter Apple Podcasts) and an urgent reason to install it: WebKit zero-day vulnerabilities that Apple says may have been exploited in targeted attacks. [1]
At the same time, one of the most useful “power user” parts of iOS — the Shortcuts app — continues to evolve in iOS 26 with more actions and deeper Apple Intelligence integration. If you’ve ever wanted your iPhone to do the repetitive stuff for you, today is a great day to revisit Shortcuts and add a few that genuinely save time. [2]
Below is a complete, publication-ready rundown of today’s iPhone software headlines (December 14, 2025), followed by 14 community-made iOS Shortcuts that can automate everything from doomscrolling and parking to hydration tracking and photo cleanup. [3]
Today’s iPhone software headlines (Dec 14, 2025)
1) iOS 26.2 is the latest iPhone update — and it’s not just a “nice-to-have”
Apple’s official iOS 26 update notes confirm that iOS 26.2 brings upgrades across Apple Music, Podcasts, and Games, plus broader changes like Enhanced Safety Alerts (U.S.), AirDrop codes, and additional Lock Screen time customization tied to the Liquid Glass look. [4]
Apple’s security releases page also lists iOS 26.2 as the latest version of iOS, and notes that (as with iOS/iPadOS updates) once installed, iOS generally can’t be downgraded. [5]
2) Security urgency: two WebKit “zero-days” with targeted exploitation reports
On December 14, Singapore’s Cyber Security Agency published an alert saying Apple released updates to address two zero-day WebKit vulnerabilities and urged users to update immediately. [6]
Apple’s own security bulletin for iOS 26.2 / iPadOS 26.2 includes WebKit entries noting Apple is aware of reports that issues may have been exploited in an “extremely sophisticated attack” against specific targeted individuals on versions of iOS before iOS 26, referencing CVE‑2025‑14174 and CVE‑2025‑43529. [7]
Independent security reporting also connects these same CVEs to iOS 26.2 (and other Apple platform updates) and frames them as urgent patches for sophisticated attacks. [8]
3) Australia-specific update detail: iPhone 12 emergency calling support
Apple also published an Australia-focused support notice emphasizing emergency connectivity and stating that iPhone 12 users get support for a specific emergency calling scenario via iOS 26.2, while iPhone XS/XR/11 and iPhone 13 and newer are not affected. [9]
Australian tech coverage today echoed the same takeaway: if you own an iPhone 12 model in Australia, installing iOS 26.2 is especially important. [10]
4) For older devices: iOS 18.7.3 is also listed as a current security update
Apple’s security releases list shows iOS 18.7.3 / iPadOS 18.7.3 alongside iOS 26.2, released on December 12, 2025, which matters for people on supported-but-older device ranges or those staying on iOS 18. [11]
What’s new in iOS 26.2 (the features people will actually notice)
Apple’s iOS 26.2 changelog and multiple platform write-ups focus on a handful of changes that stand out in daily use — especially if you share files often, live in Reminders, or rely on Apple’s media apps. [12]
AirDrop codes (extra verification when sharing with unknown contacts)
The headline privacy feature is AirDrop codes — an added verification step when you’re AirDropping to people who aren’t in your contacts. Apple’s release notes describe this as an “additional layer of verification,” where a code displayed on the receiving device must be entered to complete the transfer. [13]
Reminders gets “Urgent” alarms (plus snooze + Live Activity support)
If you’ve ever missed a “due today” reminder because notifications got buried, iOS 26.2 introduces alarms for Reminders to keep urgent tasks loud and visible. Apple’s notes mention snooze and Live Activity support for cases where you can’t complete it immediately. [14]
Apple Music: offline lyrics + favorites surfacing
iOS 26.2 adds offline lyrics for downloaded songs, and Apple also surfaces a Favorite Songs playlist more prominently. [15]
Apple Podcasts: auto-generated chapters + links to mentioned shows
Apple Podcasts gets automatically generated chapters (especially useful for long episodes) and improved linking when a show references another podcast. [16]
Liquid Glass: more Lock Screen time customization
iOS 26.2 expands Lock Screen time customization — essentially giving users more control over the opacity/appearance of the clock to match the Liquid Glass aesthetic. [17]
Enhanced Safety Alerts (U.S.)
Apple’s release notes say Enhanced Safety Alerts can inform users about imminent threats such as floods, natural disasters, and other emergencies, with maps and links to guidance — available in the U.S. [18]
Shortcuts in iOS 26: why automation is suddenly more mainstream
Shortcuts has always been powerful, but iOS 26 leans harder into making it useful for normal people — not just automation enthusiasts.
Apple’s iOS 26 overview notes that Apple Intelligence is integrated more widely, and specifically calls out new actions in Shortcuts and a “Use model” action that can tap Apple Intelligence models (or ChatGPT, if you choose) as part of a workflow. [19]
9to5Mac’s rundown of iOS 26 Shortcuts changes also lists 25+ new actions, including “Use Model,” new Writing Tools actions (summarize/rewrite/proofread), and additions across apps like Photos, Messages, Weather, and more. [20]
How to use Apple Intelligence inside a Shortcut (quick walkthrough)
Apple’s iPhone User Guide spells out a simple way to build a shortcut that uses an Apple Intelligence model (on-device or Private Cloud Compute) or ChatGPT via the “Use Model” action. Apple also notes that Apple Intelligence isn’t available on all iPhone models, languages, or regions, and recommends being on the latest iOS with Apple Intelligence enabled to access the newest features. [21]
A practical example Apple gives:
- Open Shortcuts → create a new shortcut. [22]
- Add an action like Get Current Weather (and allow location access if prompted). [23]
- Add Use Model and pick a model (On‑Device / Private Cloud Compute / ChatGPT as an Extension Model). [24]
- Enter a prompt like “Write a concise, funny summary of today’s weather with emoji.” [25]
- Add an output action (like Show Content) and test it. [26]
This is the clearest signal yet that Apple wants Shortcuts to be a “default” iPhone skill — which makes today’s community-made shortcut list especially timely.
14 iOS Shortcuts you didn’t know you needed (and what they actually do)
Apple ships a built-in Shortcuts Gallery, but many of the most useful automations come from the community — shared through iCloud links and refined over time. BGR’s roundup today highlights 14 of these, covering focus, navigation, health habits, file sharing, finance, and even wardrobe planning. [27]
Here’s what each one is designed to help with:
Focus and “digital sanity”
1) Brainsaver – Designed to curb doomscrolling by enforcing time limits and kicking you out of selected apps once you hit your chosen threshold (with different behaviors depending on Focus modes). [28]
Travel and getting around
2) Save Parking Spot – Logs where you parked when you disconnect from CarPlay/Bluetooth and sends you a map link; you can configure it to avoid nagging you at home. [29]
3) Get Me There – A “one tap” navigation launcher that can pull destinations from your calendar, offer transport modes, and even jump into ride services. [30]
Sharing between iPhone and Windows (without the usual pain)
4) iOS‑ShareEasy – A shortcut built to make iPhone → Windows transfers easier by sending clipboard/photos/videos/docs over your local network (it requires a companion open-source Windows server and setup). [31]
Money and budgeting
5) Expense Manager – Creates a lightweight expense tracking system inside Apple Notes, using a consistent format so it can calculate totals/averages without spreadsheets. [32]
6) Pocket Money Pro – A personal finance dashboard shortcut for logging transactions and tracking balances quickly (aimed at reducing app-hopping). [33]
Productivity when your to-do list is overwhelming
7) Reminders Random Draw – Pulls a random incomplete task from Reminders so you can stop staring at a huge list and just start. [34]
Health and routines (simple habit support)
8) MedLog – Tracks medications and doses in iCloud, aiming to reduce the “did I take this already?” uncertainty by logging last dose time and remaining doses. [35]
9) Meditative Breathing – A guided breathing routine that toggles Do Not Disturb and logs sessions to Health after completion. [36]
10) Health Check – Aggregates key Health stats (like sleep duration, resting heart rate, activity time) into a single, customizable view. [37]
11) DrinkTracker – Logs drinks into Apple Health to help you stay on track with hydration goals and see intake patterns. [38]
Reading and learning
12) Annotate – Brings a “highlight and review” workflow to digital reading, tracking passages and reading progress while adding a few extra learning-style tools. [39]
Dressing for the weather (without opening three apps)
13) Weather Wear – Suggests outfits based on current conditions, including rain chances and UV, with options for how results are delivered (alerts/messages/Siri voice). [40]
Storage cleanup that doesn’t feel like punishment
14) Daily Photo Review – Automatically selects a batch of photos each day so you can decide what to keep/delete, gradually reducing camera roll clutter over time. [41]
How to try these shortcuts safely (a quick checklist)
Community shortcuts can be incredibly helpful — but treat them like mini-apps:
- Preview the actions before you run them. In Shortcuts, you can scroll through each step and see if it reads your clipboard, sends data to the web, or accesses Health/Photos/Location.
- Be cautious with Health + medication logging. Use habit tools as reminders, not as medical advice or diagnosis.
- Prefer local-first shortcuts where possible (especially for anything involving files, clipboard, or personal notes).
- After updating to iOS 26.2, re-check permissions (Location/Health/Photos) for shortcuts that request them.
The bottom line (Dec 14, 2025)
If you’ve been delaying updates, iOS 26.2 is the kind of release worth installing promptly: Apple’s own security bulletin cites targeted exploitation reports for WebKit issues, and multiple agencies and outlets are urging updates. [42]
Once you’ve updated, it’s a perfect moment to refresh your Shortcuts library — because iOS 26’s Shortcuts improvements (including Apple Intelligence “Use model”) make automation more useful than ever, and the 14 shortcuts above cover real daily annoyances that most iPhone owners can relate to. [43]
References
1. support.apple.com, 2. support.apple.com, 3. www.bgr.com, 4. support.apple.com, 5. support.apple.com, 6. www.csa.gov.sg, 7. support.apple.com, 8. www.bleepingcomputer.com, 9. support.apple.com, 10. www.pickr.com.au, 11. support.apple.com, 12. support.apple.com, 13. support.apple.com, 14. support.apple.com, 15. support.apple.com, 16. support.apple.com, 17. support.apple.com, 18. support.apple.com, 19. support.apple.com, 20. 9to5mac.com, 21. support.apple.com, 22. support.apple.com, 23. support.apple.com, 24. support.apple.com, 25. support.apple.com, 26. support.apple.com, 27. www.bgr.com, 28. www.bgr.com, 29. www.bgr.com, 30. www.bgr.com, 31. www.bgr.com, 32. www.bgr.com, 33. www.bgr.com, 34. www.bgr.com, 35. www.bgr.com, 36. www.bgr.com, 37. www.bgr.com, 38. www.bgr.com, 39. www.bgr.com, 40. www.bgr.com, 41. www.bgr.com, 42. support.apple.com, 43. support.apple.com
