You are not hallucinating, and you did not step into a time machine; yes, this is really an article about iOS 12 updates on the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus!

If you or a loved one have an older model iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, or iPhone 6 Plus, or original iPad Air, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, or iPod touch 6th gen, you’ll want to fire up Software Update and install the latest available system software version on those devices so that they will be able to continue using core device features.

Specifically, iOS 12.5.8 and iPadOS 12.5.8 include updated certificates to allow older iPhone and iPad models to continue using iMessage, FaceTime, and device activation features, after January 2027. Without installing these updates, those core features will stop working at the beginning of next year as the necessary certificate in prior versions then expires.

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Apple has released iOS 26.2.1 and iPadOS 26.2.1 for iPhone and iPad, respectively. These are relatively small system software updates that include support for the freshly released AirTags 2nd generation, along with unspecified bug fixes.

Separately, Apple has also released minor updates to watchOS 26.2.1 for Apple Watch, along with iOS 18.7.4, iOS 16.7.13, iOS 15.8.6, and even iOS 12.5.8 (!) for older iPhones and iPads. There are no updates available for macOS Tahoe 26, and there are no available security updates for any Apple devices either.

The main purpose behind the 26.2.1 update appears to be to support the newly released AirTags 2nd generation, which Apple quietly released today with improvements in the precision finding feature and range, though you will need an iPhone 15 or newer to take advantage of those features. Because there do not appear to be any security improvements, nor details about specific bug fixes, and the updates themselves are quite small, it’s reasonable to assume nothing major has been resolved or included in this update, and there may not be the typical urgency with installing these updates, unless you’re trying to use the new AirTags with your device.

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Apple has moved on to the third beta version of iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, and macOS Tahoe 26.3, which are now available for beta testers on enrolled devices.

No major changes or new features are expected in these upcoming versions of system software, so if you’re not thrilled with the Liquid Glass design quirks or any existing bugs or complaints with the OS 26 suite, you’ll have to keep waiting.

While running these beta versions of system software is impractical for most users, keeping on top of beta releases can be helpful to see what is coming down the pipeline in terms of updated OS features, changes, and potential bug fixes. With widespread user complaints regarding the redesign and Liquid Glass appearance of the entire OS 26 suite, there is some renewed interest in beta builds by more casual users who are hoping for some significant changes and improvements to the user interfaces and user experiences. Those users will be let down however, because the iOS 26.3 betas and macOS Tahoe 26.3 betas, as yet anyway, do not include any major redesigns, improvements, or changes. For example, Reduce Transparency continues to not work fully in macOS Tahoe, rendering the popular Accessibility feature basically useless for improving legibility on the Mac.

Outside of betas, iOS 26.2.1 and iPadOS 26.2.1 were released earlier with unspecified bug fixes along with support for the 2nd gen AirTag, though macOS Tahoe 26.2 remains the most recent public build of Tahoe.

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If you’re a command line enthusiast and you’re the type of Mac user who likes to keep an eye on your system resources and resource utilization, you’ll likely enjoy checking out the btop command. btop offers real-time visualization of CPU usage, memory use, processes, network activity, and disk activity. You can even use btop as a task manager, and kill processes directly from within btop, making btop kind of like Activity Monitor, but for the Terminal.

The btop tool is open source and cross platform, so while we’re focusing on MacOS here, you can also install it on Linux or Windows.

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One of the big complaints about the Liquid Glass interface of iPadOS 26 and iOS 26 is that the user interface can be challenging to use, read, differentiate elements, and interact with. There are various toggles and settings that Apple has placed under the “Accessibility” category that can significantly improve the legibility and experience of interacting with the Liquid Glass interface on iPhone and iPad however, and one of those is something called “Show Borders”.

As you might have guessed by the name, “Show Borders” will draw a border around many interface elements that are otherwise low contrast and blended, making the Liquid Glass interface easier to use and quickly differentiate various visual elements and cues. This feature is available for both iPhone and iPad running the iOS/iPadOS 26 operating systems, but some users may find dit particularly advantageous on the iPad using the window-based multitasking system.

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One of the more intriguing new features introduced in iPadOS 26 for iPad is the optional windowed app mode for multitasking. Windowed apps behave very similar to application windows in MacOS or Windows, allowing you to have multiple simultaneous apps and documents open at the same time, often interloping each other. If you’ve ever felt like this windowed app functionality was missing from your iPad experience, you’ll be thrilled to have this feature on iPadOS now. And even if that’s not the case, it’s worth trying out for iPad users in general, because some of you might decide you prefer windowed apps anyway.

Windowed app mode on iPad is best used with a Magic Keyboard case, or with an external keyboard and mouse in general whether that be through Bluetooth or Universal Control and a Mac. It also generally works best on the bigger screen iPad models, as multiple windows can feel a bit more cluttered on the smaller screens.

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The second beta versions of iOS 26.3 beta, macOS Tahoe 26.3 beta, and ipadOS 26.3 beta, are available now for testing by those participating in the beta testing programs for Apple system software.

The most recent public stable versions of system software are currently iOS 26.2, iPadOS 26.2, and macOS Tahoe 26.2.

Perhaps iOS 26.3 and macOS Tahoe 26.3 will patch a few bugs, but whether or not it will resolve some of the longstanding complaints that users have expressed with the new system software versions remains a question. Given that multiple OS 26 point releases have come out without resolving some of the significant issues with interface legibility and wi-fi issues, it’s better to assume that no major changes are coming.

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It’s not uncommon for more casual iPad users to not aggressively update their iPadOS system software. Sure, Apple enables auto-update by default nowadays, but that feature can still be interrupted sometimes, and for many iPad users, the auto-update feature is only applying updates to iOS 18, or even iOS 17, and they’re not being upgraded yet to iPadOS 26.

Additionally, many new iPad owners and buyers have received an iPad with the older iOS 18 system software running on the device, which might be desirable to some users, whereas for many others they want to use iPadOS 26 to gain access to its new features. If your iPad is running iPadOS 18, either by choice, accident, or perhaps it shipped with iPadOS 18 preinstalled, this article will show you how to update to the latest version of iPadOS 26.

iPadOS 26 is not a small upgrade to iPad, with many compelling new features like Mac-like Windowing Apps mode for improve multitasking, an auto-hidden menu bar accessible by cursor, the all new Liquid Glass interface style, a redesigned Lock Screen, custom wallpapers in Messages, improvements to Files app, Preview app, Phone app, and more. Let’s get this installed on your iPad.

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If you’re a Mac user who has recently discovered their Logitech mouse or keyboard is not working suddenly, or not working properly with missing customizations and functionality, it might be because of an issue with an expired security certificate with Logitech devices on the Mac.

Specifically, if you use Logi Options+ or G HUB with your Logitech mouse or keyboard on the Mac, then it is possible that your customizations, remapping, gestures, scroll behavior, and app specific profiles, may have stopped working. If this is the case, you’ll need to install a new version of the necessary Logitech software to correct the problem.

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Got an old Mac or two laying around that you want to use with the modern World Wide Web? If that Mac is running Snow Leopard, you might just be even more life out of those old Macs, thanks to PowerFox.

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If you’re an iPad user and you really don’t like the iPadOS 26 update for whatever reason, you probably already looked around for ways to downgrade iPadOS 26 back to iPadOS 18, and you likely found that it is no longer possible to perform that downgrade. This is because Apple has locked down iPadOS 18 firmware by no longer digitally signing it, making it impossible to downgrade back down to that iPadOS version once your iPad is already running iPadOS 26 (or later).

But that doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to get an iPad running iPadOS 18 again.

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If you’re a longtime computer user and a Tetris fan, you might remember, long ago in a land far far away, when Microsoft released Tetris for Windows 3.11. But you don’t need to dust off your 1990 PC and a handful of old floppy disks from the attic to relive this experience, because now the Internet Archive offers the full vintage puzzle game and it’s playable right in your web browser.

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Want to start off the new year with a great fitness tracking device and cool gadget? The Apple Watch Series 11 is available from Amazon at $100 off with quick delivery for most areas. Whether you want to grab an Apple Watch for yourself, or perhaps you wanted one for Christmas and Santa didn’t deliver, or maybe you want to get a watch for a loved one, this is a great deal.

• Get Apple Watch Series 11 for $299 ($100 off)

FTC: OSXDaily is an affiliate partner with Amazon, meaning if you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment which goes towards keeping the site running.

The Liquid Glass interface continues to be polarizing for iPhone users with iOS 26 and newer, but with iOS 26.2 onwards you can now make some adjustments to the intensity of the Liquid Glass look… but only for the clock on the Lock Screen of iPhone.

If you’d like to fine-tune the appearance of the Lock Screen Clock on iPhone with iOS 26, you’re now able to use a slider to adjust the intensity of Liquid Glass, going from full Liquid Glass where it’s nearly transparent, to a more frosted look that is slightly bezeled or embossed, and if you hate Liquid Glass, you can also choose the “Solid” option to make it look like the more traditional Lock Screen clock too.

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Many services use two-factor authentication nowadays, where your phone or email address gets sent a code that you must enter as part of the login process into an online service. These codes are one time use only and therefore don’t make a lot of sense to keep around forever, but manually going through and deleting all those verification codes from Messages and Mail can be annoying.

Fortunately Apple has realized the endlessly piling up verification codes clutter is a hassle, and has created a handy optional feature that allows the operating system to automatically go through and delete those verification codes from your iPhone, Mac, or iPad, after they have been successfully used. This optional setting is particularly great when used in combination with the automatic security code fill feature available to macOS, iOS, and iPadOS too.

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If you’re interested in getting AirPods Pro 3 as a gift for Christmas, either for someone else or even yourself, now is about the last minute before you won’t necessarily get them delivered before Christmas, at least at the big Amazon discount price of $199 (down from $249). AirPods Pro 3 are extremely popular and fantastic wireless earbuds, and make great gifts, or treats for yourself. Check them out now and don’t delay!

• AirPods Pro 3 for $199 (down from $249)

AirTags 4-pack for $65

AirTags are great personal trackers, and can make for great gifts or split up the 4 pack into stocking stuffers too especially when paired with a keychain. These can still be delivered before Christmas, and are available at a big discount from Amazon right now.

• AirTags – 4-pack – $65 (down from $99)
• AirTag Keychain Rings – 4 pack – $15

Apple Watch Series 11 for $299

Apple Watch Series 11 is available at a $100 discount and will ship in time for Christmas. Another great gift idea, for others or yourself!

• Apple Watch Series 11 for $299 ($100 off)

FTC: OSXDaily is an affiliate partner with Amazon, meaning if you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment which goes towards keeping the site running.

Apple has introduced new beta versions of system software for those enrolled in the Apple beta testing program, versioned as iOS 26.3 beta 1, macOS Tahoe 26.3 beta 1, and ipadOS 26.3 beta 1. This is the first set of beta builds that arrive right on the heals of the freshly released iOS 26.2 update, iPadOS 26.2 update, and macOS Tahoe 26.2 update.

Presumably iOS 26.3 beta 1, macOS Tahoe 26.3 beta 1, and ipadOS 26.3 beta 1 will include some bug fixes, security enhancements, some tweaks, and a minor feature or two. No major changes are expected.

Additionally, other beta system software is available for developers who work with Apple Watch, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro and need to test their work on those devices.

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Apple has released iOS 18.7.3 and iPadOS 18.7.3 for iPhone and iPad, respectively, for users who are continuing to run the iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 operating systems. These are security updates that do not include any new features or changes, and are available as alternatives for users who either can’t install iOS 26 or do not want to install iOS 26 onto their devices for whatever reason.

These updates are concurrent with the freshly released iOS 26.2 update, iPadOS 26.2 update, macOS Tahoe 26.2 update, MacOS Sequoia 15.7.3, macOS Sonoma 14.8.3, watchOS 26.2, tvOS 26.2, and visionOS 26.2.

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