Apple Releases iOS 12.5.4 Security Update for Older iPhone, iPad Models

Apple has released iOS 12.5.4 for older iPhone and iPad models with security fixes for three vulnerabilities. This update is for older devices such as the iPhone 5s, original iPad Air, and the iPad mini 2 and is recommended for all eligible users. People with never devices will obviously not have to install this update - new iPhone and iPad models are running iOS 14.6 and iPadOS 14.6 respectively - so if you have a new iPhone or a recent-generation iPhone or iPad, you should not be looking for the latest iOS 12 release on your device.

What's new in iOS 12.5.4

The details available on a dedicated support page show that iOS 12.5.4 addresses two vulnerabilities in the WebKit engine that are classified as CVE-2021-30761 and CVE-2021-30762. There is also a memory corruption issue — CVE-2021-30737.

iOS 12.5.4 is available for download on older iPhone and iPad models

All three security problems could allow hackers to execute malicious code through specially crafted Web content, according to the details provided in the support page. Apple also said that particularly the WebKit issues might have been actively exploited.

The new iOS version comes over a month after Apple released iOS 12.5.3 for older iPhone and iPad in May, which included fixes for four WebKit-related issues that included a couple of zero-day flaws. That update came alongside iOS 14.5.1 and iPadOS 14.5.1 for newer iPhone and iPad models, respectively.

Security updates on older Apple devices normally do not carry any interface-level changes. Therefore, you will not receive any updates on the part of the user experience upon installing the new iOS version on your device.

How to download iOS 12.5.4

Apple has released iOS 12.5.4 for the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad Air, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, and sixth-generation iPod touch. Users can download the update by going to Settings > General > Software Update. It is recommended to back up your content before beginning the download process.