"When Apple stops supporting older iPhones and iPads with the latest version of iOS or iPadOS, it usually isn't the end of the line-Apple keeps releasing new security-only patches for those devices for another year or two, keeping them usable while their hardware is still reasonably capable. Once those updates dry up, it's rare for Apple to revisit those older operating systems, but the company does sometimes make exceptions."
"That was the case Monday, when the company released a batch of updates for long-retired iOS and iPadOS versions that otherwise hadn't seen a new patch in months or years. Those updates include iOS 12.5.8, available for devices as old as 2013's iPhone 5S and 2014's iPhone 6; iOS 15.8.6, available for devices like the iPhone 6S, iPhone 7, and iPad Air 2; and iOS 16.7.13, available for devices like the iPhone 8 and iPhone X."
"These updates don't patch security flaws or add new features. According to Apple's release notes for the iOS 12 and iOS 15 updates, all they do is update a security certificate to ensure that iMessage, FaceTime, and Apple account sign-in will continue working past January 2027, when the operating systems' original certificate would have expired."
Apple issued updates for several long-retired iOS and iPadOS versions, including iOS 12.5.8, iOS 15.8.6, iOS 16.7.13, and iOS 18.7.4, covering devices from the iPhone 5S through the iPhone X and some devices that cannot run iOS 26. The updates do not introduce security fixes or new features; they replace or update a security certificate so iMessage, FaceTime, and Apple account sign-in remain functional beyond January 2027. iOS 15 and iOS 16 were last patched in mid-2025, while iOS 12's last patch was January 2023. Some oddities include an iOS 16 update that omits certificate notes and no equivalent update for iOS 17. Many affected devices have limited RAM and outdated browsers and apps, reducing their usefulness as general-purpose devices.
Read at WIRED
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]