iOS 15.7, macOS 12.6 now available for older devices

Apple has released a complete set of updates spanning iOS, iPadOS, and macOS to ensure users can stay up to date without upgrading to iOS 16 or buying newer supported products.

Amidst all the buzz around iOS 16 being released on Monday, Apple also released key operating system updates for its 2021 versions. These updates serve a dual purpose — provide patches to devices that can't update to the new operating systems and give users a needed update without requiring them to move to a new OS.

Apple released iOS 15.7, iPadOS 15.7, macOS Big Sur 11.7 , and macOS Monterey 12.6. No specific release notes were provided, but since they were released alongside iOS 16, watchOS 9, and tvOS 16, it seems likely that these updates are meant to keep older devices up-to-date.

While a new operating system version can be exciting for many, some users dread the transition to a new OS since it can break compatibility with critical tools used for their profession or hobby. Some wait months or more before updating to ensure the apps they use go through numerous updates and optimize compatibility without data loss.

Those users who wait on updates and those who are unable to update still need critical security patches and bug fixes. So, Apple provides interim updates to older systems on a regular basis. Update cycles for older operating systems tend to span months, but updates keep arriving for years after newer products have moved on.

Find out what hardware is needed to run the new operating systems via our update guide.

Updates can be performed via the Settings app. Navigate to General, then tap on Software Update to select the new operating system version to install. An option for the new and old operating system updates should be visible as applicable.

11 Comments

sonypc100 5 comments · 5 Years

About 2 years ago

I have an iPhone 12 surely I get 16 but 10 mins ago I was only offered 15.7 via updates

JFC_PA 947 comments · 7 Years

sonypc100 said:

I have an iPhone 12 surely I get 16 but 10 mins ago I was only offered 15.7 via updates

iOS 16 is listed as “Also available” on my screen towards the bottom.

BillMerchant 5 comments · 9 Years

My iPhone 13 Pro Max only offered iOS 15.7, no offer of iOS 16.

JFC_PA said:

sonypc100 said:

I have an iPhone 12 surely I get 16 but 10 mins ago I was only offered 15.7 via updates

iOS 16 is listed as “Also available” on my screen towards the bottom.

I’ve updated to 15.7 and gone back to updates and 16 is there now

dewme 5737 comments · 10 Years

My iPads were feeling a bit left behind when they found out their yearly OS upgrades have been postponed until October. This little incremental update will keep them happy for a few more weeks.

Seriously though, I'll take any and all security updates that Apple makes available. These updates do list "security" in the quick note. However, the fact that Apple released these on the same date and time that they knew their servers would be heavily pounded by iOS 16 upgraders makes me think there may be some backward compatibility issues they didn't want to delay getting fixes out into the field.

As far as the iOS 16 online update performance goes, at least on my now-old Xs Max, getting the download image was definitely on the slow side because I hit the server about 10 minutes after Apple made it available, which fit with my expectations. The slowness appears to be on the server side and my phone. While I was waiting for iOS 16 to download and churn through the "preparing" phase I successfully updated two iPads, two Apple TVs. and got pretty far along on updating one Big Sur Mac and one Monterey Mac.

My iPhone just finished the iOS 16 upgrade while sitting in a wireless charging dock. All told, it took nearly two hours. It's feeling a little toasty. I'll let it rest and cool down before I dive into trying out the new features.