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Apple Stops Signing iOS 11.4.1 Following iOS 12 Launch, Downgrading No Longer Possible
- Thread starter MacRumors
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Shiro_Simba
Suspended
It’s always been like this .
Though In this case, the previous version, iOS 11 is not apples finest work. The ones that would be concerned is the ones that go from iOS 10 to 12.
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If your device does not support iOS 12, you will be able to still re-install iOS 11 if needed .
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He meant older devices that max support is iOS 11.
I just dislike this type of planned obsolescence... why not give people a chance to go back to a previous version if they find their phone/pad becomes too slow with the latest install.
TooDarkPark
Suspended
I liked iOS 11. I'm staying on iOS 11 on my 7+. I was about to downgrade my 8+ to iOS 11.4.1 when they stopped signing it.
I don't like the iOS 12 battery usage stats and the phone contacts app no longer shows my number. It only shows my card and then I have to tap on that to see my number. I swap sims many times and often forget what phone I have a particular sim card in.
I don't like the iOS 12 battery usage stats and the phone contacts app no longer shows my number. It only shows my card and then I have to tap on that to see my number. I swap sims many times and often forget what phone I have a particular sim card in.
owen.meredith
macrumors member
You mean to tell me that newer software, that is of a higher requirement, reduces battery life when put onto older devices? Wow shockingly and totally not expected or ever unheard of...I might wait until iOS 12.3.X or above comes out since the current 12.0 reduces battery life compared to 11.4.1...
R2FX
macrumors 6502
interesting...so I'm probably the only person that sees a huge usability degradation in Books on iOS 12 :/
UI on iOS 11 is way cleaner than this iOS 12 **** that looks like designed in MS Word
UI on iOS 11 is way cleaner than this iOS 12 **** that looks like designed in MS Word
Great to see the back of iOS 11, the worst iOS release ever. iOS 12 has been great so far, evidenced by only one update so far (and mainly to fix a few things on new hardware at that). By Oct 11 last year we’d already received 3 updates for iOS 11.
...but there is none, that's the point.
All devices that supported 11 can upgrade to 12.
Shiro_Simba
Suspended
Mascots
macrumors 68000
The benefits outweigh the cons. It's not planned obsolescence.
It means Apple doesn't have to mess around with patching old versions for security updates unless that version was an iOS device's last, and even then rarely. Since downgrading is impossible, jailbreaking devices becomes harder and that is at the root of many exteme exploits. So, security is one reason.
It helps to push the adoption number higher, which is good for developers and users alike because it keeps the hardware and software diversity among active devices low. Much easier to build software with fewer variables and always up to date mechanics.
gnasher729
Suspended
Mostly so if a hacker finds your phone, and knows about a vulnerability in 11.4 that would allow them access, they can't just downgrade the iOS version, and use vulnerabilities in 11.4 that have since been fixed.
Also because Apple doesn't want to test if downgrading from 12.1 to 11.4, from 12.2 to 11.4, from 12.3 to 11.4 etc. works without problems.
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Basically, your device calls Apple and says "I have version X, and I have this iOS 11.4 version that I want to install. Can you sign it for me, please?" Then Apple's servers say "X = 11.0, so we sign it. " Or "X = 12.1, so we don't sign it".
JosephAW
macrumors 604
Still on iOS 10 on my 7+ for 32 bit app support but am planning to eventually go to 12 later on after updating my 5S to 12 and noticing that it works pretty good. Maybe 12.1 will convince me to find work around for 32 apps.(10 apps)
I like the on/off switch for iOS updates. Sadly it's 6 versions too late for iOS 12 on my 5S. I'm pretty sure there will be no iOS 13 for it although at lease I can stop for Apple updates from automatically downloading over my hotspot using up my data without my permission.
I like the on/off switch for iOS updates. Sadly it's 6 versions too late for iOS 12 on my 5S. I'm pretty sure there will be no iOS 13 for it although at lease I can stop for Apple updates from automatically downloading over my hotspot using up my data without my permission.
FWIW, iOS 12 runs like a dream on my 7 Plus. Totally recommend you upgrade whenever you can.
dirtylilhobo
macrumors demi-god
otternonsense
Suspended
That was fast.
I’m aggressively sticking to 11 on my iPad though. I can’t stand the dock, app switcher and control center UX changes of 12. All in one works best for me and I don’t have an iPhone X so consistency with those gestures is moot. I don’t think I’m the only one on this.
I’m aggressively sticking to 11 on my iPad though. I can’t stand the dock, app switcher and control center UX changes of 12. All in one works best for me and I don’t have an iPhone X so consistency with those gestures is moot. I don’t think I’m the only one on this.
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JosephAW
macrumors 604
Has anyone noticed the elephant in the room? The package icon still shows music notes and iPod with click wheel. Time for Apple to change those to something else. Any suggestions?
I always wondered why MacRumors used that LEGO image whenever they posted about Apple not signing old code.
I’d say the Settings app graphic would make more sense.
Jaytee89
macrumors newbie
Good! iOS 11 was the first iOS I was disappointed with on a flagship device. The iPhone X with it’s stellar hardware stuttered with animations etc....
Passed it down the line and with iOS 12 it’s running like it should have been last year. Makes me pissy since I shelled out a grand for it to be gimped by the software for a year.
Passed it down the line and with iOS 12 it’s running like it should have been last year. Makes me pissy since I shelled out a grand for it to be gimped by the software for a year.
The switch is just for automatic install, if that's the one we are talking about.
since they don't force people to update the security argument doesn't hold up. If people have the possibility it should be possible to go back to previous versions the phone or iPad has had before. It's possible on a Mac. And knowing how they sell more devices due to speed issues it is a form of pushing people to upgrade to newer phones.... considering the fact that we should all consume less and not more this is not the right thing to do for a company that likes to act green.
but yes, of course it is easier to just no care about the old stuff anymore. I applaud apple for their strides to make ios12 faster on older devices - so my criticism is more of a general point about not being able to downgrade than the current situation of going back to iOS 11 from 12.
I know of plenty cases where elders take over a phone and have no need for the latest iCloud stuff or other features. They want a fast iPhone 6 that has the os installed it came with in the first place.