Apple has quietly released iOS 12.5.8 (alongside iPadOS 12.5.8) for a small group of older iPhones, iPads, and the iPod touch. While it’s not a feature-packed update, it’s an important one for anyone still using legacy Apple hardware.
A rare update, years later
The timing is notable. Apple pushed this update three years and a few days after the previous iOS 12 release, which landed on January 23, 2023. It also arrived on the same day Apple rolled out multiple new betas for its current operating systems, making this an easy update to miss.
Unlike modern iOS releases, iOS 12.5.8 isn’t about new capabilities. Instead, it focuses on keeping core Apple services alive on devices that can’t move beyond iOS 12.
Why this update matters
According to Apple’s release notes, the update extends a critical system certificate that several services rely on:
This update extends the certificate required by features such as iMessage, FaceTime, and device activation to continue working after January 2027.
Without this extension, services like iMessage, FaceTime, and even device activation could eventually stop functioning on these older devices once the certificate expires.
Supported devices
Apple says iOS 12.5.8 and iPadOS 12.5.8 are available for the following models:
- iPhone 5s
- iPhone 6
- iPhone 6 Plus
- iPad Air
- iPad mini 2
- iPad mini 3
- iPod touch (6th generation)
If you or someone you know still uses one of these devices, installing the update is strongly recommended.
There’s still plenty of time before the certificate expires in January 2027, but this update is one of those “install it and forget it” releases. It’s less about new features and more about ensuring Apple’s core services keep working on aging hardware.
If nothing else, updating now also helps flush out any bugs that may have accumulated since the last iOS 12 release.
