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Apple releases COVID-19 Exposure Notifications for older iPhones running iOS 12, iOS 13

If you have an older iPhone, this is important.

Older iPhone users with devices that don’t support iOS 14, including the iPhone 6, can now access COVID-19 exposure notifications. As of Tuesday, Apple released iOS 12.5 for older iPhone models, thereby enabling devices like the extremely popular iPhone 6 will now be able to switch on exposure notifications based on the API Apple developed in partnership with Google.

Still, in order to work, a users’ local health authority must support the system.  Per the BBC’s tech correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones pointed out, users won’t notice the change straight away.

Yes, though I understand it won’t be as simple as flicking a switch. Even Apple doesn’t think apps will be updated to accommodate older iPhone before January


— Rory Cellan-Jones (@ruskin147) December 15, 2020

The tool was originally launched as part of iOS 13.5. A version that did not require a specific app arrived with iOS 13.7.

Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

Via The Mac Observer, 9to5Mac, and @ruskin147