Apple updates iPhone 5s and iPhone 6 with iOS 12.5.8 to extend security certificates, preventing service limitations in 2027. Learn about this rare software support.
© A. Krivonosov
Apple has unexpectedly released an update for the iPhone 5s and iPhone 6, even though these models are now over ten years old. Originally launched in 2013 and 2014, the smartphones received iOS 12.5.8 in 2026, which is a rare example of such extended software support in the mobile industry.
This update does not introduce new features or performance improvements, but it plays a critical role for the continued operation of the devices. According to Apple, iOS 12.5.8 updates internal security certificates that are essential for basic system processes, including phone activation and the functioning of iMessage and FaceTime services.
Without installing this update, the certificates will expire in January 2027, after which the iPhone 5s and iPhone 6 could face serious limitations. The devices would still power on but would lose access to key functions, effectively leading to a gradual system "paralysis" without any apparent hardware faults.
Apple applied a similar approach to the iPhone 6s, which simultaneously received iOS 15.8.6 with the same certificate extensions. While such smartphones are rarely used as primary devices in 2026, the release of this update highlights Apple's strategy to prevent old devices from quietly "dying" due to service restrictions rather than physical wear and tear.