"When Apple stops supporting older iPhones and iPads with the latest version of iOS or iPadOS, it usually isn't the end of the line-Apple keeps releasing new security-only patches for those devices for another year or two, keeping them usable while their hardware is still reasonably capable. Once those updates dry up, it's rare for Apple to revisit those older operating systems, but the company does sometimes make exceptions."
"Both iOS 15 and iOS 16 were last patched in mid-2025, but iOS 12's last patch was released in January of 2023. These updates don't patch security flaws or add new features. According to Apple's release notes for the iOS 12 and iOS 15 updates, all they do is update a security certificate to ensure that iMessage, FaceTime, and Apple account sign-in will continue working past January 2027, when the operating systems' original certificate would have expired."
Apple occasionally issues additional updates for legacy iOS and iPadOS releases after active support ends. The company released iOS 12.5.8, iOS 15.8.6, and iOS 16.7.13 for devices ranging from iPhone 5S and iPhone 6 to iPhone 8 and iPhone X. iOS 15 and iOS 16 last received patches in mid-2025, while iOS 12's previous patch dated January 2023. The recent updates do not fix security vulnerabilities or add features. The updates solely update a security certificate so iMessage, FaceTime, and Apple account sign-in will continue functioning past January 2027.
Read at Ars Technica
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