In a rather unexpected move, Apple has released a software update for the long discounted iPhone 5s. Alongside iOS 26.2.1, Apple also pushed out a new version of iOS 12 for devices still running that operating system recently. iOS 12.5.8 is now available for the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 6, meaning Apple is continuing to support these devices roughly 13 and 12 years after their respective launches.
To put that into perspective, a 13-year-old iPhone is basically 80 years old in human terms—so this update is basically putting these devices on life support. According to Apple’s release notes, iOS 12.5.8 extends the certificate required for features such as iMessage, FaceTime, and device activation, ensuring they continue to function beyond January 2027.
Without this update, certificate-dependent features like device activation would have stopped working once the certificate expired. Instead, Apple has ensured that these core services will remain operational on these old iPhones for years to come.
Officially, Apple commits to providing at least five years of security updates from an iPhone’s launch date, but every once in a while, the company goes well beyond that promise. In the case of the iPhone 5s, “extra mile” might be an understatement.
And while it’s admittedly sweet that Apple is still looking after these ancient devices, you can’t help but think that with all this effort, they might’ve spent a bit more time improving Apple Intelligence in-house instead of leaning on Gemini. But, well—that ship has sailed.
