iOS 26 is still being avoided by some people, but you must still upgrade now- you are not receiving iOS 18.7.4 if your device is newer than iPhone XS or XR

You failed to mention the big reason why people will be forced to install iOS 26 or its successor.

The security certificate that iMessages, FaceTime, and activation use expires as of January 2027 (next year). For people whose phones are compatible with iOS 26, the only way to get a new certificate with a later expiration date will be to update to iOS 26 or its successor.

Even people who are willing to live without all of the latest features and bug fixes probably will not want to lose access to iMessages.

uriah17 wrote:

I bought my iPhone 13 pro max since 2022 but I don't know how it updated to iOS 26.2😭, now that I've forgotten my icloud information, I'm finding it difficult to open it😭. Apple users are kindly asking apple to help update or open those whose phones were update 🙏😥

This is a user-to-user forum. Apple largely is not here, except to moderate it, and will not see your request.

As for how the phone updated, it would have updated automatically, unless you specifically turned updates off, and also remembered to check that manually-installed updates did not turn the automatic update switch on.

Now that the phone is on iOS 26, there is no going back. And if the phone is Activation-Locked, you will need to satisfy the Activation Lock. That will require remembering or recovering your Apple ID password. And if, by any chance, this is a second-hand phone that is locked to someone else, you may be out of luck.

How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support

Correct. The iOS 18.7.3 and 18.7.4 update is only available for these iPhones:

• iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR

Apple security releases - Apple Support

Apple has always recommended to update to the latest OS version your device supports to maintain security.

I bought my iPhone 13 pro max since 2022 but I don't know how it updated to iOS 26.2😭, now that I've forgotten my icloud information, I'm finding it difficult to open it😭. Apple users are kindly asking apple to help update or open those whose phones were update 🙏😥

uriah17 wrote:

I bought my iPhone 13 pro max since 2022 but I don't know how it updated to iOS 26.2😭, now that I've forgotten my icloud information, I'm finding it difficult to open it😭. Apple users are kindly asking apple to help update or open those whose phones were update 🙏😥

Forgetting your iCloud credential has nothing to do with updating your iPhone. And Apple isn't here as this is a user to user only forum.

See the following links if you have forgotten your iCloud account details:

If you forgot your Apple Account primary email address or phone number - Apple Support

If you forgot your Apple Account password - Apple Support

Writing down your important accounts and passwords in a safe location would have prevented you from such an issue.

It happens every year, not sure why you made this statement.

If you have a question, we would be pleased to help.