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Apple Stops Signing iOS 16.1 and iOS 16.1.1 Following iOS 16.1.2 Launch

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Following the launch of iOS 16.1.2 on November 30, Apple has stopped signing iOS 16.1.1 and iOS 16.1, two previously available versions of iOS.. With iOS 16.1 and iOS 16.1.1 no longer being signed, it is not possible to downgrade to those versions of iOS after upgrading to iOS 16.1.2.

iOS-16.1-Purple-Feature.jpg

Apple routinely stops signing older versions of software updates after new releases come out in order to encourage customers to keep their operating systems up to date, so it is not unusual that the updates are no longer being signed.

iOS 16.1 was a major update that added support for iCloud Photo Library and Live Activities, while iOS 16.1.1 was a bug fix update.

iOS 16.1.2 will soon be replaced with iOS 16.2, a major update that is in testing and should launch next week. iOS 16.2 will introduce Advanced Data Protection for iCloud, the Freeform app, Apple Music Sing, and other new features.

Article Link: Apple Stops Signing iOS 16.1 and iOS 16.1.1 Following iOS 16.1.2 Launch
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2022/12/07/apple-stops-signing-ios-16-1/
There's no technical reason why Apple can't continue to sign older versions of iOS. As much as I understand Apple's desire to push everyone into the current release(s), it really bugs me that they don't trust their users and let them do what they wish with their own devices.
 
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trusso said:
There's no technical reason why Apple can't continue to sign older versions of iOS.
Click to expand...

Apple could... But that would expose customers to potential security/privacy vulnerabilities that were fixed in later iOS versions.
 
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I am currently on iOS 15.6 RC [iPhone 7 Plus] and if only I could, I would either downgrade to iOS 13.7 [the last version without app library and home screen widgets and the first major version with a dark mode] or iOS 10.3.3 [the first major version for iPhone 7 series]

Performance hit may not be as big as when iPhone 4, 4s, 5, 5c, 5s, 6/6 Plus were the latest iPhones compared to iPhone 6s and newer but still, I'll go with security risk than performance hit...

Give us the option to downgrade to previous versions of previous years...
 
If you own the phone, you should always have the option to revert back to the original OS that was on your phone when you purchased it. If that is wise enough or not, is another topic, but you paid the $999 or whatever for that phone with the OS it had back then and if a new iOS version turns out worse, there should be an option to revert it even after years.
 
trusso said:
Yes, I am well aware, but that should be our choice to make.
Click to expand...

Seems the solution would then be to simply not update to 16.1.2. And live with the potential adverse security/privacy consequences that could come your way.

Easy.
 
citysnaps said:
Seems the solution would then be to simply not update to 16.1.2. And live with the potential adverse security/privacy consequences that could come your way.

Easy.
Click to expand...
Well aren't we smart?

I'm on 16.1.2, thank you, although there have been times in the past when I held off upgrading major versions because doing so would break compatibility between my older devices or computers. And I've since upgraded those as well, although that's beside the point.

What I'm saying - if you traced back to my original post - is that Apple shouldn't force its users to cross a Rubicon they cannot retreat from. It's silly and selfish. Yes, most people will choose the newest updates and stay there, but for the few who can't - or who do but decide it's not for them (or realize it breaks compatibility with something) - they should have the option to downgrade to essentially any software version made since their device shipped (as you can on the Mac). There's no technical law of the universe that forbids this - it's merely Apple forcing decisions upon users and the devices they own.

You don't have to agree with me, but hopefully you can understand what I'm saying instead of making snarky replies that misunderstand and misrepresent my point.
 
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trusso said:
Well aren't we smart?

I'm on 16.1.2, thank you, although there have been times in the past when I held off upgrading major versions because doing so would break compatibility between my older devices or computers. And I've since upgraded those as well, although that's beside the point.

What I'm saying - if you traced back to my original post - is that Apple shouldn't force its users to cross a Rubicon they cannot retreat from. It's silly and selfish. Yes, most people will choose the newest updates and stay there, but for the few who can't - or who do but decide it's not for them (or realize it breaks compatibility with something) - they should have the option to downgrade to essentially any software version made since their device shipped (as you can on the Mac). There's no technical law of the universe that forbids this - it's merely Apple forcing decisions upon users and the devices they own.

You don't have to agree with me, but hopefully you can understand what I'm saying instead of making snarky replies that misunderstand and misrepresent my point.
Click to expand...



Rather than casting my remarks as snark (they aren't - but you might want to reconsider your "Well aren't we smart?" comment) you might want to take the time to think through Apple's motivation for not letting its customers revert back to an older iOS version that has security and/or privacy vulnerabilities. And the resulting potential reputational harm Apple would suffer not protecting its customers.
 
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citysnaps said:
Rather than casting my remarks as snark (they aren't - but you might want to reconsider your "Well aren't we smart?" comment) you might want to take the time to think through Apple's motivation for not letting its customers revert back to an older iOS version that has security and/or privacy vulnerabilities. And the resulting potential reputational harm Apple would suffer not protecting its customers.
Click to expand...
I have considered all of that. I am well aware of Apple's angle on this.

My point still stands.
 
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