You still haven't answered my question.
Has Apple decided to not release iOS 12.5.8 for the 6S and 7 to strong arm iOS 15?
What about iOS 15.8.6 for the iPhone 8 and X? 16.7.14 for the XS?
You see, by demanding iOS 18.7.4 for your 26 capable device, you're indirectly demanding those older versions for any of the aforementioned devices. Because then, anyone else like you could come here, and say the same about their device. This'd effectively create a path for official downgrading, and Apple might as well scrap their whole signing system at that point (not that I personally agree with said system, but I'm not gonna delve into that).
There are people using devices that can't run 26, but which aren't even running their latest supported versions (I already talked about my friend who has an XS Max still running iOS 14 as his main phone).
This sideshow is genuinely an irrelevant 'whataboutism' but I'll try to indulge however whacky it ends up.
6s/7: iOS 12 is a version from 2018, iOS 15 is 2021.
8/X: iOS 15 2021 vs iOS 16 is 2022.
XS: iOS 16 2022 vs 18 2024.
The argument
could be made they are strong arming iOS 15, 16, and 18 by not offering it. But in full transparency: anyone could argue anything. I could argue I am reincarnate of Steve Jobs because I feel like it today.
But no, I would not personally make that argument for the reason that the install base for IOS 12, 15, and 16 on those devices is probably relatively low and the amount of people using 6s/7/8/X/XS relative to newer ones is probably even lower. And though 15, 16, and 18 on those respective devices would be higher and newer than 12,15, and 16 it's still has to be peanuts (seems like roughly 2% for each 15 and 16, and I suspect in reality probably even lower) There is little incentive to care in either direction, so naturally they'll support the last supported version and call it a day. Edge cases be damned.
And again, I genuinely applaud them 'supporting' devices as old as those. Period. 6s is over 10 years old, and nearly every device is considered 'vintage' where they don't offer hardware parts or replacements if you have issues.
If you believe Gemini AI (take with a grain of salt, just being lazy here):
As of early 2026, iPhone 6s through XS models represent a small, rapidly diminishing segment of the active iOS user base, likely comprising
less than 5–8% combined.
..I can't imagine Apple cares what anyone is doing who is using any of those devices.
They just want to make sure core Apple services work for people who are holding onto them for dear life, most likely elderly and people poverty stricken and/or living under a tech rock and/or trying to break Guiness World records, with all due respect.
If anything, why do
those people (yes you, granny) still get core Apple functionality on your 6s but an iPhone 16 user who shelled out almost a grand just a bit over a year ago is being stonewalled into moving up just because they're happy with what they got? Reward people holding onto 10 year old hardware whose hardware doesn't even have a repair path, but not people who have some reticence over a single major iOS upgrade, you got no choice but to update to the polarizing spotty QC update?
What sort of logic/reward system is that, if we must compare the scenarios?
It's now even more upsetting the more I think about it and talk it through.
Even the 'newest' cited device you have there is from 2018, over 7 years ago. So no, I would not make that argument they are strong arming anything there.
--
As for what's in bold, no I'm not indirectly making that claim at all lol what the heck is that?
Your imagination has run wild.
..All this comparing to vintage devices for an iPhone 16 (2024) on a software from last month (18.7.3) that will have some basic functionality stripped 12 months from now is concerning to me, yes, and not at all equivalent to what's going on for 6s-Xs. Apple didn't do this because then sub 1% of the population holding onto their iPhone 6s would then demand from Cupertino the 'latest' iOS 12 or refuse to buy another phone for the next decade. That is outright ridiculous equivalent and a straw man argument.
And if they were to offer 18.7.4 for 'iOS 26 capable' devices, no they still haven't opened up a path to downgrade.
All recent 18.7.x updates have been only available over OTA not IPSW manual restore, and only for people already on <iOS 26. If you are on IOS 26, there has not been a downgrade path since shortly after iOS 26 came out September 15, 2025. IIRC around a week you could manually downgrade before they closed the signing window to IPSW restore.
When iOS 26 has 50% install base on devices capable of moving up to it 4 months later, yes I could see them not being thrilled about that. To break it down, thats every other person taking a pass.
On the small portion of users with 'vintage' devices again I don't think it makes any difference what they do in any direction. just my 2 cents.
www.macrumors.com
daringfireball.net
