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Apple Stops Signing iOS 18.5

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Apr 12, 2001
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Apple is no longer signing iOS 18.5, which means iPhone users who have upgraded to iOS 18.6 can no longer downgrade to the prior version of iOS. iOS 18.6 was released a little over a week ago.

iOS-18.5-Apple-Intelligence-Color-Palette-Feature.jpg

"Signing" is a server-side verification check that Apple does when a new version of iOS is downloaded on an iPhone. An update can't be downloaded and installed unless it passes the verification check, and the unsigning process prevents customers from installing outdated versions of iOS that are less secure.

Apple usually stops signing older software about a week after releasing an update, and doing so ensures that customers have the latest security improvements and are not vulnerable to known attacks.

iOS 18.6 was focused on security updates, and it addressed more than 20 vulnerabilities.

Article Link: Apple Stops Signing iOS 18.5
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/08/05/apple-stops-signing-ios-18-5/
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The same problem as with windows. They often to updates for "security", but also change so many not security related things at the same time. That's why I never update windows unless it is really necessary for new hardware. What if somebody does not want liquid glass or all that AI stuff for example? There should always be the option to downgrade down to the version that was installed when you bought the iPhone with your hard earned money. It does not matter if that is a wise decision. People should have the freedom to make unwise decisions.

Apple is not trustworthy when it comes to updates. In the past several updates have slowed down old devices or reduced battery life. That might have been an intentional move to make people buy a new device. That is a very shady business practice. One week is a very short time. Many people do not want to be early adopters and instead wait a few weeks to see if the new version works well for others.

Apple should at least chance its policy and allow every customer to revert an update within four weeks after he has installed it.
 
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Skyscraperfan said:
So Apple punishes you for updating by denying you the chance to return to the old version?
Click to expand...
maybe there is a risk of data loss? i was thinking if you use all the new functions of an updated Notes app or whatever, what happens with the data when you downgrade to a version that doesn't support that? could be an issue perhaps
 
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Anyone care to explain this whole "signing" process or verification handshake or whatever?

If I download an iOS update (say I downloaded 18.5 last week) and then disconnect my phone from the internet, I can still install it, right? No internet connection is required? Or am I wrong and my phone has to actually reach out to Apple again to confirm the update is still good for install?

If it's an offline check... does the update have an expiration date or something preventing it from being installed more than X time (a day, a week, etc), and if so, could I not just bypass that by changing the date/time on my phone...? Does iOS actually give me a way to do that...?

The whole "Apple stops signing" headline just hasn't made sense to me ever. You sign a payload... once it's signed, that's that. If Apple just wanted to block people from downloading it, all they have to do is stop serving the download requests... there's no "signing" that they have to stop doing.
 
Skyscraperfan said:
People should have the freedom to make unwise decisions.
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That gives people way too much credit to make “unwise decisions”. You can’t give people unlimited freedom to make their own choice, whatever it may be.
Besides, Apple certainly don’t want to spend money to support iOS 18.5, iOS 18.4 etc 7 years down the line when they only need to support the last version of iOS 18.
shadowbird423 said:
I am sure they will find a justification for taking that away soon enough.
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As soon as Apple silicon Mac becomes the only Mac that can run latest macOS. It’s so incredibly Locked down hardware wise it makes no sense for Apple to support previous versions of macOS unless the target Mac doesn’t support the latest release.
Come to think of it, macOS 27 could be the last version supporting M1 Mac. That’s 6 years of major release support.
ArtOfWarfare said:
The whole "Apple stops signing" headline just hasn't made sense to me ever. You sign a payload... once it's signed, that's that.
Click to expand...
It’s the signing part that requires online connection. Apple never trust downloaded software package and demand devices to be connected to internet in order to verify it. Storing any part of the process locally means offline activation will be possible and talented hackers might be able to build fake Apple software update servers. That’s pretty bad for Apple. “Always connect so we can disable your device in a whim without any notice”
 
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