Apple Releases iOS 12.5.6 Update for Older iPhones and iPads With Vulnerability Fixes

[MacRumors]

Apple today released an iOS 12.5.6 update for older iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad models that are not able to run the current version of iOS, iOS 15.

The update can be downloaded over-the-air by opening up the Settings app, tapping on "General," and selecting the "Software Update" option.

The iOS 12.5.6 update fixes a major vulnerability that was actively exploited, so it's worth updating right away if you have an older device. The WebKit vulnerability was already fixed in the iOS 15.6.1, iPadOS 15.6.1, and macOS Monterey 12.5.1 updates.

Devices that cannot be updated past iOS 12 include the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPod touch 6, original iPad Air, iPad mini 2, and iPad mini 3.

Article Link: Apple Releases iOS 12.5.6 Update for Older iPhones and iPads With Vulnerability Fixes

 

[max2]

Cool! Way to go Apple!

 

[1557750]

Such good guys/gals at Apple!

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Wow, was not expecting this. Almost 4 years after iOS 12 was introduced.
And this should lay to rest the concerns of the iPhone 7 and 6S just being abandoned after iOS 16’s release.
If they continue at this pace, those devices should still be getting security updates at least until 2025

 

[geartau]

and people accuse Apple of planned obsolescence…

 

[diggy33]

Time to bust out that iPod Touch and run an update

 

[surfzen21]

Still dont see it for my iphone 6


Edit: Downloading

 

[Sir_Macs_A_Lot]

Apple, my iPhone 6 Plus thanks you. Now to go rummage it out of the bottom of a drawer, charge it...

 

[oneMadRssn]

This is actually pretty incredible. iPhone 5s came out 9 years ago, and it's still receiving security updates.

The Google Nexus 5 came out the same year - and Google ended security updates in in 2016, just a few years later. To say nothing of the third-party Android OEMs at the time that offered even less support.

 

[Villarrealadrian]

I was wondering about this because they said the las vulnerability was so big

 

[vertsix]

This is like the Galaxy S4 getting a security update.

Unheard of.

 

[ghanwani]

The white face and color matching Touch ID sensor looks so good.

 

[RogerDoger2801]

Time to bust out that iPod Touch and run an update

Dug around for the old iPhone 6 I use for international travel 😅 feels odd to be running a software update on it but it’s been a great little phone!

 

[cosmogfd]

nice, another update for my 9 year old iPad mini 2

 

[KaliYoni]

Devices that cannot be updated past iOS 12 include the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPod touch 6, original iPad Air, iPad mini 2, and iPad mini 3.

Apple's support document for the update says the update is only available fo iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad Air, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, and iPod touch (6th generation):

About the security content of iOS 12.5.6 - Apple Support

This document describes the security content of iOS 12.5.6.

support.apple.com

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ETA: for any listserv fans. you can get automatic update announcements directly from Apple.

Security-announce Info Page

 

[minik]

Since none of those models are listed as obsolete, I guess Apple still wanted to work on a security patch.

 

[Robert.Walter]

and people accuse Apple of planned obsolescence…

It is planned but not by withholding security. It comes by making even better new products which compel upgrades.

 

[Mr. Dee]

Come on Apple, you are just showing off at this point. This is one area Android devices will never catch up. I believe if Apple wanted, they probably could still support the iPhone 2G to this day. But of course, they are a business.

 

[Eldaerenth Faexidor]

Dug around for the old iPhone 6 I use for international travel 😅 feels odd to be running a software update on it but it’s been a great little phone!

So true, I rocked the 6s for quite a while, was such a great phone indeed! Very light in comparison to the Pro’s nowadays.

 

[Apples n' Stone]

I wonder if they will do anything for devices such as the iPhone 5, whihc is still not classed as obselete. I don't use mine, but it was my first brand new iPhone so it would be good to see an update for those.

 

[anthogag]

The 12.5.6 update should be “get a new iPhone”…asap

 

[headlessmike]

Getting safer by the second!

 

[nimitz9]

This makes me wonder just how serious that vulnerability really is.😟

 

[adrianlondon]

My iPad mini, stuck on iOS 9, is now a hacker magnet!

Luckily, it runs so slowly that they won't be able to do anything once they gain access.

 

[saudor]

This makes me wonder just how serious that vulnerability really is.😟

I wonder if they'll patch macs that cant upgrade to montelame or do they expect those users to switch to edge/chrome/firefox