Apple issues security update for its older iPhone, iPad models: Here's why you need to update right away

Apple is rolling out an important security update to its older iOS devices today, in order to fix security flaws. Users should install the iOS 12.5.4 update on their older iPhones such as the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus right away.

If you have an older device like the iPhone 5s, here's why you need to update right away.  (Pixabay)

Apple is one of the fastest smartphone manufacturers when it comes to updating its iPhone and other Apple hardware, and the company usually releases updates to all eligible devices at the same time. These updates can either add new features or fix security flaws in existing software on the phone. The company is rolling out an important security update to its older iOS devices today, in order to fix security flaws. Users should install the iOS 12.5.4 update on their older iPhones such as the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus right away.

While Apple's modern iPhone starting with the iOS 6s are currently on iOS 14, the latest version of Apple's operating system, the company's older devices are stuck on the older iOS 12 due to lack of compatibility – which means official support for them has ended. However, Apple occasionally pushes out security updates to these devices in order to keep them up to date and protect them from security flaws. The update to iOS 12.5.4 has now begun rolling out to fix three security flaws, according to a report by 9to5Mac.

Last month, we reported that Apple had rolled out an important update to iOS 12 devices, including security updates to the company's WebKit browser engine that could allow malicious websites to execute malicious code on the device, which could potentially affect the device's security. In the same manner, the latest update fixes a security issue with the browser engine, plus memory corruption issues in the device's media decoder and protection from maliciously crafted certificates. The update will also be arriving on the iPad Air, the iPad mini 2, and iPad mini 3 — and the 6th gen iPod touch. 

The reason why Apple has to issue updates like this to its older devices is that unlike Android, which has “decoupled” many system components (like the Android System Webview) so that they can be updated via the Play Store, Apple's system apps have to be updated via a system upgrade. This means the company has to issue OS updates whenever there is a major security issue, as is the case with the latest security update.