Apple Releases iOS 26.2.1 With AirTag 2 Support

[MacRumors]

Apple today released iOS 26.2.1 and iPadOS 26.2.1, minor updates to the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 operating systems. The new software comes a month after Apple released iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2.

The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

iOS 26.2.1 adds support for the next-generation AirTag that Apple introduced today. The AirTag 2 features a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, improving the Precision Finding feature.

The update also includes unspecified bug fixes, according to Apple's release notes.

Apple also released iOS 18.7.4, iOS 16.7.13, iOS 15.8.6, and iOS 12.5.8 for older iPhones unable to run iOS 26.

Article Link: Apple Releases iOS 26.2.1 With AirTag 2 Support

 

[IceCool]

iOS 12.5.8 is crazy.

Loved iOS 12, though!

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

iOS 12.5.8 is crazy.

Loved iOS 12, though!

That’s what I’m saying, absolutely insane.
That means the iPad Air, iPhone 5S and retina iPad mini 2 are receiving security updates 13 years after they released.
Also security updates for iOS 15, 16 and 18.

 

[Cobold]

iOS 12.5.8 is crazy.

Loved iOS 12, though!

That is for the iPhone 6 / 6 Plus and 5s! 1w and 13 years (!!!!) old!

 

[kenta_]

Hopefully there’s more to 26.2.1 that just AirTag support!

 

[lazyrighteye]

Nice.

All eyes are on the 26.4 beta.

 

[N0ughtsAndCr0sses]

Bug fixes they say.

 

[wellander1]

No mac os updates for security?

 

[winxmac]

I think this is the first bug fix/security update that was released with support for new hardware.

The Apple Releases page is not updated yet [without logging in] but it's a surprise to know that iOS 12 got another bug fix update. And it's showing up now.

iOS 12.5.5 was released on 23 September 2021
iOS 12.5.6 was released on 31 August 2022
iOS 12.5.7 was released on 23 January 2023
iOS 12.5.8 was just released on 26 January 2026, a gap of 3 years since the last update

Although this is not the first time that Apple released an update to an older version several years later like when iOS 9.3.6 and iOS 10.3.4 were released back in 22 July 2019, almost 3 years from the last update to iOS 9 and almost 2 years from the last update to iOS 10

There's also iOS 15.8.6, iOS 16.7.13 and as expected iOS 18.7.4 although I'm not sure if those on iOS 18.7.3 [iPhone 11 series to iPhone 16 series] can update to it.

 

[froot1988]

Keyboard fixed?

 

[ATmahe]

Looks like the HomeKit Control Center bug, where all HomeKit buttons in CC broke after a reboot, is fixed.
At least, right after the update, they still work 🙂

 

[Qubelek]

Still lagging the same way since iOS 26:

 

[Alexrat1996]

Nothing on my phone 17 pro max a family member got it?

 

[svish]

Good to know but I am not going to update immediately especially since there are no new features and I am not getting a new AirTag.

 

[DocMultimedia]

Think I'll pass on this tiny update. I won't be buying any of the new airtags right away. But if the new ATV shows up I'm buying.

 

[DocMultimedia]

Good to know but I am not going to update immediately especially since there are no new features and I am not getting a new AirTag.

Lol. I just wrote exactly the same thing.

 

[Biro]

18.7.4 not offered on any of the appropriate devices in my house yet.

 

[Alexrat1996]

Did anyone with a 17 pro max not get the update on there phone ? It not showing for me

 

[Bones402]

Keyboard fixed?

Don't think they ever will, but when I turned off
slide to type in keyboard settings and it seemed to have helped me a bit.

 

[lionman227]

Does this have any security updates? I don't see it mentioned on apples website (https://support.apple.com/en-us/100100). I am thinking of jumping ship from 18.7.3 as my 16pro cant get 18.7.4

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Can anyone confirm if 18.7.4 is available for iPhone 13 devices still on the iOS 18 branch?

 

[B4U]

Wondering out loud did they fix the off center clock on lock screen bug yet? 😑

 

[B4U]

Can anyone confirm if 18.7.4 is available for iPhone 13 devices still on the iOS 18 branch?

On iOS 18 public beta. Seeing nothing available as of this moment.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

Just a heads up! If your iPhone can run iOS 26 but you decided to stay put on a previous release of iOS. It appears Apple will not send you an update for a previous release. My iPhone 13 is staying on iOS 18 because iOS 26 caused my phone to slowdown and the iPhone 13 only has 4GB of RAM. I dropped back down to iOS 18 before Apple stopped signing iOS 18.

I see iOS 26.2.1 available but not iOS 18.7.4

 

[klasma]

Can anyone confirm if 18.7.4 is available for iPhone 13 devices still on the iOS 18 branch?

It’s not, and it would be surprising for it to show up.