iPhone 5s Gets Update 13 Years After Launch, iOS 26.2.1 And watchOS 26.2.1 Bring Compatibility With New AirTags, Third Developer Beta For iOS 26.3, and More Go Live

Apple has rolled out a ton of software updates in the past few hours, bringing compatibility with the new AirTag, a rare software patch for the iPhone 5s, and third developer betas for iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, macOS Tahoe 26.3, watchOS 26.3, tvOS 26.3, and visionOS 26.3.

iOS 12.5.8, iOS 26.2.1, and the third developer beta for iOS 26.3

iOS 12.5.8

This update is now rolling out to the iPhone 5s and iPhone 6, and extends the certificates required for features like iMessage, FaceTime, and protocols related to device activation to continue working through January 2027.

iOS 26.2.1

This update brings compatibility with the new AirTag Ultra Wideband chip and supported Bluetooth, along with general bug fixes.

The third developer beta for iOS 26.3

Apple has added a new “limit precise location” feature, which limits operator visibility to the surrounding environment instead of the more precise road surface. The following operators will support this feature at this time:

1. US: Improve Mobile
2. Germany: Telekom
3. United Kingdom: EE, BT
4. United States: Improve Mobile
5. Thailand: AIS, Correct

Please note that this feature only works on devices equipped with a bespoke C1 or C1X modem.

Additionally, iOS 26.3 brings the much-awaited facility to switch from iPhone to Android device.

We noted a few days ago that the Android Canary 2512 build for Pixel smartphones included collaboration between Google and Apple, which made it a fairly easy process to switch from a Pixel device to an Apple iPhone.

The APK teardown reveals that the feature will be active during the device setup process, and allows for seamless porting of your personal files, which include:

1. Photos and videos
2. MP3 and audio files
3. Contacts stored on your device or in the cloud, including iCloud
4. SMS, RCS messages, and iMessages, including those containing photos, videos, emoji reactions, and other attachments
5. Documents and downloads
6. Calendar appointments are saved on the device or synced in the cloud, including iCloud.
7. No-cost application, compatible with Google Play
8. WhatsApp chat history
9. Voice memo
10. Notes
11. Call history
12. Home screen app layouts and custom wallpapers
13. Device settings:
    • Alarm
    • Saved Wi-Fi SSID
    • Font size
    • Screen timeout settings

However the following will not be transferred:

1. In-app purchases
2. Device settings, such as Wi-Fi passwords
3. DRM protected music
4. Safari Bookmarks
5. Paid app and not available on Google Play
6. Some application data, such as data from applications that are not stored in the cloud

Apple iOS 26.3 now finally brings Apple’s feature implementation to the proverbial table, replete with the ability to initiate transfers via QR code or session ID pairing code.

Additionally, iOS 26.3 also brings the ability to forward incoming notifications from the iPhone to third-party wearable devices, further removing the hardware and software barriers that Apple has created for its own devices, and is currently still under intense scrutiny, especially from EU antitrust authorities.

Of course, certain iPhone users will be able to control which apps are allowed to forward their notifications to third-party wearable devices. It’s also worth noting that this feature only works with one wearable device at a time, which means your Apple Watch won’t receive notifications if you enable this feature for another wearable device.

Another update

watchOS 26.2.1

This update brings compatibility with AirTag’s new ‘Precision Discovery’ feature on the wrist, which allows users with an Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2, or newer variants, including the Series 11, to receive haptic and visual feedback for precise guidance to tracked items without needing to take out their iPhone.

Miscellaneous

Meanwhile, the third developer beta for iPadOS 26.3, macOS Tahoe 26.3, watchOS 26.3, tvOS 26.3, and visionOS 26.3 has also been launched. We will update this section if we find new features in this update.

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