and Announcement of 2nd generation AirTag 2Apple released iOS 26.2.1 to add compatibility to this item tracker, but also released several other smaller updates for older iPhone models. Includes iOS 12.5.8 for iPhone 5S and 6 devices;Other software versions include iOS 15.8.6, iOS 18.7.4, and iOS 16.7.13. But the day after all these updates became available, the company removed most of them (all except iOS 26.2.1) as it worked with Australian telecommunications company Telstra to investigate an issue that prevented older iPhones from connecting to the company’s network.

A few days later, Telstra released Update carrier firmware through older iPhone models to patch issues that prevent users from using 4G connectivity, making phone calls, or sending text messages. According to Telstra, Australian users experiencing this issue can connect their iPhone models to Wi-Fi and[設定],[一般],[バージョン情報]and accept the carrier settings update that resolves this bug.

After this issue was resolved, Apple started offering iOS 12.5.8, iOS 15.8.6, and iOS 18.7.4 to iPhone users again. In addition to that, the company released iOS 16.7.14 to address issues with the previous version and fully fix bugs for Australian carriers.

Unlike Samsung and other Android manufacturers, Apple doesn’t have an official support page that indicates how long it will provide updates for its products. However, a document sent to UK authorities in 2024 stated that the company would provide security updates for the device “for a minimum of five years from the date of first supply.” But even though the iPhone 5S was released 13 years ago, it still seems to be updated intermittently.

Some might say that’s what makes Apple unique, but the main reason the company released iOS 12.5.8 was to extend security certificates to ensure that iMessage, FaceTime, and device activation will work beyond January 2027.

It’s interesting that Apple still provides basic functionality on older devices like the iPhone 5S, but most apps still require higher minimum software or hardware specifications, making them virtually unusable. Some websites can be difficult to even use Safari. That said, owners of these devices will at least be able to send iMessage texts and make FaceTime calls, so the minor update won’t render them completely useless.