Apple not only launched iOS 26.2.1 to support the next-generation AirTag, but the company also released iOS 12.5.8, which is now the latest version of iOS 12. This is notable since iOS 12 is the last major version of iOS to support both the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 6, which were released in September 2013 and September 2014, respectively. The last update that both the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 6 received was back in January 2023 with iOS 12.5.7, which was three years ago if you couldn’t believe it.
Today’s update is essentially a critical one as it extends the certificate required for online communication features such as iMessage, so users who are still on either an iPhone 5s or iPhone 6s could continue to use iMessage/FaceTime for the foreseeable future. Even though both the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 6 are declared ‘obsolete’, by Apple’s definition, it’s remarkable that these iPhones from over a decade ago continue to receive critical security updates. This update is also available for these models:
- iPad Air (original)
- iPad mini 2
- iPad mini 3
- iPod touch (6th generation)
The iPhone 5s was introduced in September 2013. It pioneered 64-bit architecture on a smartphone, and it introduced Touch ID. The iPhone 6 was introduced in September 2014, and it was offered in two screen sizes for the first time in iPhone’s history, and it also introduced Apple Pay.
