Apple Stops Signing iOS 16.4 Following iOS 16.4.1 Release, Downgrading No Longer Possible

[MacRumors]

Following the launch of iOS 16.4.1 on April 7, Apple has stopped signing iOS 16.4, the previously available version of iOS. With iOS 16.4 no longer being signed, it is not possible to downgrade to that version of iOS after installing the iOS 16.4.1 update.

Apple routinely stops signing older versions of iOS after new releases come out to encourage customers to keep their operating systems up to date, so it is not unusual that the iOS 16.4 update is no longer being signed.

iOS 16.4 was a major update that added new emoji characters, Safari Web Push Notifications, and changes to the beta opt-in method. It also reintroduced the classic Apple Books page turning animation, included new HomeKit architecture, and introduced new features for Shortcuts.

iOS 16.4.1, a bug fix update, is the current publicly available version of iOS. Apple is also testing iOS 16.5 with developers and public beta testers.

Article Link: Apple Stops Signing iOS 16.4 Following iOS 16.4.1 Release, Downgrading No Longer Possible

 

[wesley96]

Same one-week window between the closing of the previous version as 16.3 → 16.3.1 upgrade. Looks par for the course in patching up exploited vulnerabilities.

 

[B4U]

Must be some major vulnerabilities.
This is the first time I see the settings notification red dot on the day of the release.

 

[ThomasJL]

iOS 16.4.1, a bug fix update,

It's still a buggy mess.

It's an x.4.1 version that is around as buggy as some previous x.0 versions. That is yet another reason why #CookMustGo.

 

[imagineadam]

Still hanging out on 16.3.1 on my 14 pro and 9.3.1 on my Apple Watch. Everything is working awesome! I don’t want to screw it up!

 

[svish]

The usual! The newer versions should have fewer bugs

 

[Col4bin]

On my iPhone 13 Pro Max, the YouTube and Netflix video stuttering and lag bug started for me with this 16.4.1 release.

 

[usmaak]

Major update and added new emoji characters don’t seem to go together in a sentence.

 

[bousozoku]

I'm noticing terrible battery drain, possibly related to camera use in apps.

I'm sure fixing the exploits was best, but testing would be appreciated.

 

[Slainor]

On my iPhone 13 Pro Max, the YouTube and Netflix video stuttering and lag bug started for me with this 16.4.1 release.

Thank god you can’t downgrade anymore otherwise you could fix that problem That the Apple way

 

[ChrisFromNEPA]

On my iPhone 13 Pro Max, the YouTube and Netflix video stuttering and lag bug started for me with this 16.4.1 release.

I have that stuttering too on YouTube now

 

[Vespi]

Im having problems with photos, while I charge my phone and not using it my photo storage usage gradually increase, goes back to normal after restart, once I woke up to my phone telling me my storage was almost full and saw my photos using 39gb, after restart it went back to 700 ish mb, tried factory reset but did not help. iOS 16.4.1

Edit: Ive reported this in feedback app

 

[I7guy]

Thank god you can’t downgrade anymore otherwise you could fix that problem That the Apple way

Like to version 16.3.1?

 

[JForestZ34]

I’m still rockin the 16.1 OS and couldn’t be happier. Everything is working just fine.

James

 

[FeliApple]

I’ll always find the wording on MR’s articles about this a little funny: “Apple routinely stops signing older versions of iOS after new releases come out to encourage customers to keep their operating systems up to date”. “To encourage” should be “to force customers to keep their operating systems up to date once they update - or are forced to”.

They aren’t encouraging - they are forcing.

 

[lkrupp]

I’ll always find the wording on MR’s articles about this a little funny: “Apple routinely stops signing older versions of iOS after new releases come out to encourage customers to keep their operating systems up to date”. “To encourage” should be “to force customers to keep their operating systems up to date once they update - or are forced to”.

They aren’t encouraging - they are forcing.

Hey, if you don’t like it, switch platforms. No-one is twisting your arm to stay in the walled garden.

 

[FeliApple]

Hey, if you don’t like it, switch platforms. No-one is twisting your arm to stay in the walled garden.

As long as Apple allows me to stay behind, I’m happy. I like iOS devices (on their original iOS version).

 

[godrifle]

My entire world is f’d up with 16.4.1. I sadly upgraded alll my devices (iPhone, ipad, multiple Apple TVs, HomePod mini and two HomePod 1s). And, I upgraded to the new HomeKit system.

Now, my iPhone and iPad won’t automatically connect to my home network 5 GE, and HomePods keep disconnecting, and when I do a factory reset, none will properly set up with my phone or iPad. They fail saying the network cannot be joined. This is the same network they’ve been working on since I’ve had them.

Madness.

 

[winxmac]

As long as Apple allows me to stay behind, I’m happy. I like iOS devices (on their original iOS version).

Apple allows macOS users to go back to the version that shipped with the device but only allows the latest version for iOS and iPadOS... I wish I could downgrade my iPhone 6s and iPhone 7 Plus and iPad 6 to their original iOS versions...

 

[FeliApple]

Apple allows macOS users to go back to the version that shipped with the device but only allows the latest version for iOS and iPadOS... I wish I could downgrade my iPhone 6s and iPhone 7 Plus and iPad 6 to their original iOS versions...

Yeah, that’s one of many reasons because of which it doesn’t make sense. I can accept it and I can say “it will try to circumvent it every way I can”, but it won’t stop me from mentioning it.

I have some devices on early versions, and some others I’d like to downgrade, too.

The only option is when you get newer devices, keep them on the earliest possible version. Be aware that you’ll have to circumvent some issues, but if you have other updated devices it’s very easy.