Apple Stops Signing iOS 18.2, Preventing Downgrading

[MacRumors]

Apple today stopped signing iOS 18.2, which means that iPhone users who have upgraded to iOS 18.2.1 can no longer downgrade to iOS 18.2. Apple released iOS 18.2.1 earlier in January.

When new versions of iOS are released, Apple typically stops signing the prior version after a week or two. An update that is not signed is not able to be installed on an iPhone because there is a server-side software verification check.

By preventing downgrading to older versions of iOS, Apple ensures that users keep their devices up to date with the newest security improvements.

Apple's iOS 18.2.1 update included unspecified bug fixes, while the now-unsigned iOS 18.2 update that came out in December added Apple Intelligence features like Image Playground, Siri ChatGPT integration, and Genmoji.

Article Link: Apple Stops Signing iOS 18.2, Preventing Downgrading

 

[I7guy]

Why would you want to, anyway?

 

[klky]

I still haven't upgraded from 17.7 given the number of complaints people seem to have with iOS18 particularly the Photos App.

 

[Polinsky]

I still haven't upgraded from 17.7 given the number of complaints people seem to have with iOS18 particularly the Photos App.

The key words being "complaints people seem to have". OS 18 works very well for me. And I much prefer the new Photos app over the previous versions.

 

[ResolutionNZ]

I still haven't upgraded from 17.7 given the number of complaints people seem to have with iOS18 particularly the Photos App.

iOS 18 runs ok on iPhone 13 with an A15 bionic, but is pretty slow on an SE 2020 with an A13 chip. I'd stick with 17.7 on older devices as there aren't that many advantages.

 

[Chungry]

Why would you want to, anyway?

When a point release of iOS 18 broke yubikey functionality I was locked out of my passwords and iCloud briefly. And because Apple stopped signing the previous version before I figured all this out it created a huge pain in my butt. And that's why I got rid of my personal 16 PM and got an S24 Ultra. I can't have some update flippantly borking my security. I still have my Macs, a work 16 PM and iPads. But this ruined it for my daily driver.

 

[B4U]

And 18.2.1 still have no actual release notes though.

 

[I7guy]

When a point release of iOS 18 broke yubikey functionality I was locked out of my passwords and iCloud briefly. And because Apple stopped signing the previous version before I figured all this out it created a huge pain in my butt. And that's why I got rid of my personal 16 PM and got an S24 Ultra. I can't have some update flippantly borking my security. I still have my Macs, a work 16 PM and iPads. But this ruined it for my daily driver.

Usually you know almost immediate if important functions somehow get broken. Apple usually gives it a few weeks so something like a yubikey I think would be noticed almost immediately?

Anyway have fun with your s24.

 

[Chungry]

Usually you know almost immediate if important functions somehow get broken. Apple usually gives it a few weeks so something like a yubikey I think would be noticed almost immediately?

Anyway have fun with your s24.

Maybe sometimes, in this case not really since yubikey is a fringe thing anyway compared to more popular Fido2 solutions like passkeys. And I don't see why a point release would break that especially since Apple was touting this as a differentiator a couple years ago (like so much of what Apple rolls out lately, initially there is enthusiasm followed by neglect). It's whatever at this point. At least I didn't upgrade my work 16 Pro Max and sounded the alarm at work before it bit everyone else. MDM saved our bacon from folks getting locked out of their tools since we can block iOS releases for UAT prior to making it available.

 

[klky]

The key words being "complaints people seem to have". OS 18 works very well for me. And I much prefer the new Photos app over the previous versions.

Happy for you.

 

[Chungry]

Happy for you.

I feel ya, it's confirmation bias a bit, "it works for me so it's fine". Yeah ok, please don't go into IT

 

[I7guy]

Maybe sometimes, in this case not really since yubikey is a fringe thing anyway compared to more popular Fido2 solutions like passkeys. And I don't see why a point release would break that especially since Apple was touting this as a differentiator a couple years ago (like so much of what Apple rolls out lately, initially there is enthusiasm followed by neglect). It's whatever at this point. At least I didn't upgrade my work 16 Pro Max and sounded the alarm at work before it bit everyone else. MDM saved our bacon from folks getting locked out of their tools since we can block iOS releases for UAT prior to making it available.

for me I’ve rarely (meaning I can’t remember) run into cases an dot release broke something else that worked that was critical and not a UI thing.

 

[Chungry]

for me I’ve rarely (meaning I can’t remember) run into cases an dot release broke something else that worked that was critical and not a UI thing.

Same for me, it's a fringe case at any rate and got my ire up more than anything

 

[macfacts]

Why would you want to, anyway?

So you are arguing for auto updates?

 

[winxmac]

iOS 18 is still unpolished, and I don't care about Apple Intelligence. I am currently using an iPhone 11 Pro Max and even if I have an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, I still won't use it.

I am still on iOS 17.7 because of the Photos app and other changes introduced since iOS 18.0 but articles like this are a good reminder when a certain version can no longer be used for upgrade/downgrade.

 

[svish]

This was expected as usual. For now my iPhone is still on 18.2. Have not yet updated. Might do so in the coming days.

 

[I7guy]

So you are arguing for auto updates?

That’s already a thing. Don’t have to argue for something that can be turned on.

 

[DELLsFan]

I still haven't upgraded from 17.7 given the number of complaints people seem to have with iOS18 particularly the Photos App.

I think I need to be retrained after the changes to the Photos app. Power tip: Until you know exactly what you're doing with the new look and functionality, don't try to show off your new kitten photos with any 'racey' photos still on the phone.

 

[9081094]

Why would you want to, anyway?

Well, while going to iOS 18 till 18.2
I would have liked to go back to iOS 17.7. iOS had to many annoying bugs to me. iOS 18.2.1 seems to have solved most of them. But if I had the choice… I would go back and step in with iOS 18.2.1.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

I think I need to be retrained after the changes to the Photos app. Power tip: Until you know exactly what you're doing with the new look and functionality, don't try to show off your new kitten photos with any 'racey' photos still on the phone.

“Hey, check out this picture of some blue boobies I saw!”
“Umm, those boobies don’t look blue to me!”

 

[Alp3r]

So silly they still do this stop & start signing BS.

 

[cyanite]

And that's why I got rid of my personal 16 PM and got an S24 Ultra. I can't have some update flippantly borking my security.

Right, but couldn't the same thing happen for that, though? They also get updates, and those could also accidentaly break something.

 

[klasma]

At least I didn't upgrade my work 16 Pro Max and sounded the alarm at work before it bit everyone else. MDM saved our bacon from folks getting locked out of their tools since we can block iOS releases for UAT prior to making it available.

You can create and use your own MDM profile on your personal phone. This lets you extend the signing deadline by 90 days or so. I have used this in the past.

 

[Razorpit]

You can create and use your own MDM profile on your personal phone. This lets you extend the signing deadline by 90 days or so. I have used this in the past.

While most of us probably understand that, and thank you for the tip, never thought of that myself, there are millions of iPhone users out there that have no idea what you just said. 😄

 

[nStyle]

Joke's on you Apple...I'm still on iOS 17 with no plans to upgrade. I think the Photos app is a real downgrade and I don't care about moving my icons around or the other pointless customization. Yeah I'm a real rebel I guess.