Updates for older systems: macOS 11.7.11, security update for Catalina, watchOS 10.6.2, 9.6.4 and 6.3.1 released | News

Last week, iOS 26.2.1, iPadOS 26.2.1 and macOS 26.2.1 were released – and a day later an update for iOS 12 and iPadOS 12 was released. This is surprising because iOS 12 was released seven and a half years ago and Apple has actually stopped supporting it completely. But with the update to iOS 12.5.8 and iPadOS 12.5.8, the company allows services such as iMessage, FaceTime and device activation to continue to work.

The reason can be found in the stored certificates, because they actually expire in January 2027 – and registration or device activation would then no longer have been possible. Such a concept is usually not well received by users, as devices have a finite runtime and can no longer be used without the manufacturer’s intervention – and are better paperweights.

Now also for macOS and watchOS
So that you can continue to activate older Macs and use them with iMessage or FaceTime, Apple has just released an update for macOS 11 Big Sur. Here too, device activation, iMessage and FaceTime would no longer have been usable after January 2027. macOS 11.7.11, like iOS 12.5.8, renews the certificate.

Apple also releases some updates for watchOS for older systems: watchOS 10.6.2, 9.3.1 and even watchOS 6.3.1 are now available for download via the software update. Here too, Apple renewed the certificate.

Security Update 2026-001 for Catalina
And there is another update for macOS – namely security update 2026-001 for macOS 10.15 Catalina. Unfortunately, it is not known which security gap Apple is closing with the update. However, it appears to be a serious gap, as the company hasn’t actually released any security updates for macOS 10.15 for many years.

iOS 16.7.14 for iPhone X and iPhone 8 released
In addition to the other updates, there is also an update for iOS 16.7. In version 16.7.14, Apple fixes a problem that occurs with the iPhone X and iPhone 8 regarding emergency calls in Australia. Just last week, Apple released iOS 16.7.13, which caused the difficulties regarding Australian emergency services.

No security fixes for older versions
Although Apple has released updates for macOS 11 and watchOS 6, 9 and 10, you should be aware that the old operating system versions have many unfixed and actively exploited security vulnerabilities – and therefore you should use them with caution.