- Apple refreshes certificates to maintain iMessage, FaceTime and account functionality beyond 2027
- Updates do not include new features or traditional security fixes
- iOS 16 updates failed to renew certificates, leaving some users in limbo
Apple unexpectedly released updates for some versions of iOS that are more than 10 years old, including iOS 12 and iOS 15.
These updates do not add new features or fix security vulnerabilities in the traditional sense, but update the security certificates that allow iMessage, FaceTime, and Apple account logins to continue working after January 2027.
A similar update was also released for iOS 18.7.4, which is not surprising given that iOS 18 is still actively maintained on devices such as the iPhone XS and iPhone XR – however, Apple’s patches appear to have a gap. iOS 16 received a recent update, but it doesn’t mention certificate renewal, and no equivalent fix exists for devices stuck on iOS 17.
Newer iPhones did not receive the update
This inconsistency leaves users of older devices uncertain about how long their iPhones and iPads can remain operational with basic services intact.
Devices running iOS versions 12 to 16 are becoming less practical as general-purpose smartphones or tablets.
Many of these handsets only include 1 or 2 GB of RAM, and their outdated Safari browsers lack the features and security protections needed to safely browse the modern web.
Third-party apps also stop supporting these versions shortly after release, further limiting their use. Yet some older devices continue to play secondary roles, such as simple messaging phones or single-use gadgets.
A device like the iPhone 5S may serve a limited function for years after mainstream support ends.
Apple has a history of extending security updates for older hardware, usually for a year or two after general support ends.
The recent batch of updates, including iOS 12.5.8 for devices like iPhone 5S and iPhone 6, iOS 15.8.6 for iPhone 6S, 7, and iPad Air 2, and iOS 16.7.13 for iPhone 8 and X, reflects this trend.
These updates allow older iPhones to continue performing essential functions, even if they can’t handle the latest apps or system features.
Many older iPhones and iPads continue to serve practical purposes long after mainstream support has ended, particularly in low-income countries where replacing devices is often not an option.
Even models more than a decade old can still be useful for tasks that don’t require the latest hardware or software, like messaging, music playback, or basic automation.
Many users reuse these devices as dedicated media players, alarm clocks, or secondary phones for kids, taking advantage of their basic functionality.
So, this update, although insignificant, is relevant to keeping essential services like iMessage and FaceTime operational.
Via Ars Technica
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