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Yes, an iPhone can be targeted by Pegasus spyware, but this is not a routine risk shared equally by all iPhone owners. Pegasus attacks are individualized and aimed at a small number of people. Apple says the vast majority of users will never be targeted by mercenary spyware. A September 2026 Citizen Lab report documented Pegasus infection of a Serbian student movement member’s iPhone, showing that targeted attacks continue—not how likely any particular person is to be infected.

Who is most likely to face Pegasus targeting?

Pegasus is spyware associated with highly resourced, individualized surveillance attacks. People may face greater concern because of their work, public profile, or activities—for example, journalists, activists, politicians, and diplomats. That does not mean every person in these professions is targeted, or that someone outside them cannot be.

Apple says its threat notifications have reached users in more than 150 countries in total as of 2026. That is a count of countries where Apple says it notified users, not a count of infections or a measure of risk to the general population. Neither Apple nor the cited reports provide a reliable estimate of the chance that a particular reader’s iPhone is infected.

What does a recent Pegasus case show?

On September 2, 2026, Citizen Lab reported high-confidence indicators of Pegasus infection on a Serbian pro-democracy student activist’s iPhone, with evidence dating to December 2025–January 2026. The attack used an iMessage zero-click exploit, meaning the target did not have to tap a link for the exploit to work. Citizen Lab said the exploit was patched in iOS 18.4.1. Read Citizen Lab’s case report.

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This is evidence of a specific attack on a specific device and software context. It does not show that every iPhone or every current iOS version is vulnerable. Exploit methods change, and a past exploit’s name or patch history should not be treated as proof of a present-day weakness.

Earlier cases also need their dates and findings kept in context. Amnesty International’s December 2023 appendix described Pegasus targeting evidence on two Indian journalists’ devices in August–October 2023. For one, it reported an exploit attempt but said it was unclear whether installation succeeded; for the other, it found forensic traces consistent with Pegasus targeting. The report said Apple patched the BLASTPASS vulnerability in iOS 16.6.1 on September 7, 2023. These are historical findings, not evidence that those devices or vulnerabilities remain exposed today. Read Amnesty’s forensic appendix.

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What does an Apple threat notification mean?

Apple describes its alerts as high-confidence warnings that a user has been individually targeted by mercenary spyware. Its August 13, 2026 support page says: “Although our investigations can never achieve absolute certainty, Apple threat notifications are high-confidence alerts that a user has been individually targeted by a mercenary spyware attack and should be taken very seriously.” The alert indicates targeting; it does not by itself prove that spyware was successfully installed. Forensic examination may be needed to confirm infection.

Apple does not disclose the criteria that trigger an alert, saying that detail could help attackers evade detection. A missing notification therefore cannot establish that no targeting occurred. Likewise, ordinary device problems such as battery drain or glitches are not established by these sources as diagnostic signs of Pegasus.

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What to do if Apple says your iPhone may be targeted

  1. Verify the alert directly. Type account.apple.com into your browser and sign in to check for a threat notification banner. Apple says a genuine notification will never ask you to click a link, open a file, install an app or profile, or provide your password or verification code by email or phone.
  2. Contact a trusted digital security specialist. Apple recommends Access Now’s Digital Security Helpline, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A specialist can advise you on your circumstances and whether forensic investigation is appropriate.
  3. Follow the alert’s device-specific guidance. Apple may recommend updating your software and enabling Lockdown Mode. Do not treat a self-scan or a list of symptoms as a definitive diagnosis while an expert is assessing the device.

What to do if you have elevated risk but no alert

  • Install the latest software updates. Apple says updates include the latest security fixes.
  • Consider Lockdown Mode. Apple recommends considering it if you have good reason to believe you may be individually targeted. Amnesty says it blocks many forms of advanced attack and recommends it for at-risk Apple users, but it is not a guarantee against every attack.
  • Strengthen routine account and device security. Apple recommends a strong, unique Apple Account password and two-factor authentication, enabling Stolen Device Protection, and installing apps from the App Store. These are general security measures, not Pegasus detectors.
  • Assess your risk in context. If your work or profile creates a credible targeting concern, consider a formal digital security risk assessment. Amnesty’s Digital Security Resource Hub offers resources for civil society, while noting that its materials do not replace formal assessment and training.

What to do if you have no specific reason to suspect targeting

Keep iOS current and use strong account authentication as part of ordinary security practice. There is no need to interpret nonspecific glitches or battery changes as evidence of Pegasus. Apple says the vast majority of users will never be targeted by mercenary spyware; that statement concerns this class of attack, not all cybersecurity threats.

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Which response route fits your situation?

Route What it can establish or do What it cannot establish
Verify an Apple notification at account.apple.com Confirms whether Apple has posted a notification to your account. It is not a complete forensic finding and does not by itself confirm successful infection.
Seek specialist forensic assistance Provides tailored advice and, where appropriate, a device investigation for a credible alert or elevated risk. It cannot be replaced by general advice or an ordinary consumer scan.
Harden the device with updates and, where appropriate, Lockdown Mode Adds practical protection against known vulnerabilities and some attack methods. It is not a forensic test or a guarantee of immunity.

For a broader explanation of how Pegasus capabilities and attack methods have changed over time, see Amnesty International Security Lab’s July 2026 overview.

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