iOS 26.2.1
Juli Clover (release notes, no security, no enterprise, no developer):
iOS 26.2.1 adds support for the next-generation AirTag that Apple introduced today.
[…]
The update also includes unspecified bug fixes, according to Apple’s release notes.
The iOS 26.2.1 update that Apple released today further addresses an issue preventing some older mobile phones from being able to make emergency calls.
Apple claims there are also bug fixes, but doesn’t deign to clarify what they might be.
More intriguingly, the company also released updates to four older versions of iOS and iPadOS, dating back to iOS 12. The updates include:
- iOS 18.7.4 and iPadOS 18.7.4
- iOS 16.7.13 and iPadOS 16.7.13
- iOS 15.8.6 and iPadOS 15.8.6
- iOS 12.5.8
Usually, when Apple updates much older operating systems, it’s because of a particularly problematic security vulnerability, though even then, the company seldom goes back more than two releases. However, something else is going on this time, as indicated by the security notes, which state that none of the releases have any published CVE entries.
Apple seems to be doubling down on encouraging users to update to iOS 26. These bug fix updates for iOS 18 and earlier are only available for users with older iPhones. If your phone can run iOS 26, you have to update to it or be stuck with known security vulnerabilities.
Previously:
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The updates for older OSes are to replace certificates for services like FaceTime. See e.g. Ars Technica's article.
A certificate file should be around 1 kilobytes. Even allowing more space for installation scripts I am surprised installer for iOS 15 is around 170 megabytes.
