6 hours agoAuthor: Samira Siddiqui
Just when everyone thought the iPhone 5s was ready for retirement, Apple walked in with a surprise update. Yes, the tiny iPhone from 2013 just got new software in 2026, and it’s not just for show.
Apple has released a new software update for the iPhone 5s, a phone that launched way back in September 2013. The update helps keep important services like iMessage and FaceTime working until at least 2027. That means people using this old iPhone can still send messages, make video calls, and activate their device without issues.
Which phones are getting this update?
The update is called iOS 12.5.8, and it is meant for iPhones that cannot run newer versions of iOS. It supports iPhone 5s and iPhone 6. So both phones now get software support even after more than 12 years since launch, which is very rare in the smartphone world.
Why was this update needed?
The update helps keep important services like iMessage and FaceTime working until at least 2027
Apple said the update extends a system certificate. This certificate is required for services like:
- iMessage
- FaceTime
- Device activation
Without this fix, these services could have stopped working after January 2027. So this update is less about new features and more about keeping basic functions alive.
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Not many people use the iPhone 5s as their main phone today. But many still use it as a backup phone, a secondary device, and a simple phone for elderly family members. Without this update, these phones could have become almost useless for daily communication.
Apple is going beyond its own promise
Officially, Apple says it provides at least five years of security updates after a phone is launched. But in real life, Apple often supports phones for much longer.
For example:
- The iPhone 6s, launched 11 years ago, got updates as recently as September 2025.
- Now, even older phones like the iPhone 5s are getting critical fixes.
Apple does not give exact timelines for updates, but its actions show strong long-term support.
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Let’s be honest, the iPhone 5s can’t match today’s phones in speed or apps. But Apple is making sure that FaceTime and iMessage don’t suddenly stop working shows rare long-term care for old devices.
In a world where many phones stop getting updates after 3–4 years, this kind of support is unusual, and honestly, quite impressive.
