Apple Stops Signing iOS 18.6.2, iOS 26 Downgrades Now Impossible

[ThePinkChameleon]

I upgraded to 26 before anyone else in the fam. That’s usually how it goes so I can give my feed back on who should/shouldn’t update depending on new features etc. I’m the tech support for my hubby, my 5 adults kids and my parents so if I have someone upgrade and there’s issues, it then becomes my issue to fix. You get the point.

So I upgraded on the day 26 dropped, I always update on new drops. First impressions I liked it…didn’t love it and still don’t. After so many days of the software settling and done indexing I was hoping for 2 major things: my battery life would be at least a little better than it was and safari wouldn’t be so buggy. Neither panned out. The same day pulled out my Mac air to get the ipsw file for 18.6/2 it’s no longer avail because Apple stopped signing.
Just 2 days before that my husband decides to update and he’s not a fan of the changes at all, and has the safari bugs. We both have 16 pros. I did tell him don’t update your work phone at all lol, as well as my parents, to stay at 18.6/2 or 18.7.
For the simple things I do on my phone, my undies are in quite a bunch because my battery life took a hit and the websites I use on safari are buggy

I can honestly say since upgrading software from the 4S & up, this is the first time I want to roll back !! I wish Apple would bring back 18.6/2 but we all know that’s like asking for ice water in he11 !!

Sorry for the long winded post I’m just frustrated and wanted to whine about it openly lol

I definitely did not update my Mac air because I can still use safari functionally on it !

 

[I7guy]

I wouldn’t roll back anyway. I believe in moving forward but to me there is no reason to roll back. Now the iOS 26 has settled in, I like the updates, battery life has stabilized.

I had my spouse update her phone so far no comments either way.

No issues in safari, but I’m sure those who have issues they will be addressed in iOS 26.1.

 

[ThePinkChameleon]

No issues in safari, but I’m sure those who have issues they will be addressed in iOS 26.1.

I really, REALLY hope so !!

 

[Imperial926]

iOS Updates are far tamer than that.

In some years I’ll at best have to get used to Liquid Glass, no big deal.

It's the same mindset.

 

[Selena Agna]

In what way does it make my life easier to always chase the latest updates of everything?

Your phone gets slower, your battery performance suffers, and you have to interact with an ever-increasing amount of Alan Dye's user-hostile designs.

As long no important app breaks and there's a critical security vulnerability that Apple won't backport a patch for, I'm good, thanks.

 

[bradl]

And just how long do you think you can all live in the past?

I still have an iPad 4 mini running iPadOS 10.3.3, along with inheriting my father's iPad Air 2. While I have updated the iPad Air 2 to iPadOS 15.8.5, I have absolutely no intention whatsoever to update the iPad mini 4 at all. Why not the mini 4?

Simple: iPadOS and iOS 10.3.6 and lower were the last versions of iOS to support 32bit applications. I have apps that were not updated and/or abandoned that only work on iOS/iPadOS 10. Updating iOS/iPadOS will cause those apps to no longer function at all. You call that living in the past? I call it preserving apps that I use.

Newer != better.

BL.

 

[FeliApple]

It's the same mindset.

No, not really. People must get used to online banking because it is practically required.

iOS updates kill my devices for no reason at all. No thanks. As long as Apple maintains this nonsensical software-signing approach, I will never update. People can use garbage iPhones just because those iPhones are not the absolute latest. I won’t use garbage.

 

[Imperial926]

No, not really. People must get used to online banking because it is practically required.

iOS updates kill my devices for no reason at all. No thanks. As long as Apple maintains this nonsensical software-signing approach, I will never update. People can use garbage iPhones just because those iPhones are not the absolute latest. I won’t use garbage.

Garbage????? My iPhone, my wife's and probably millions of other people's are working just fine. It's a preference issue.

 

[Shirasaki]

The problem being that people who refuse to move forward eventually have to and then find the changes even harder to make.
An example might be someone resisting online banking who is forced to eventually change as high street banks all close. This is happening in the UK right now. It's usually best to move forward and adapt to technological change to avoid a quantum leap down the line.

That “problem” may not be a problem if certain people’s demand just isn’t hard or complex, or such demand works much better with older tech than newer ones. Newer tech isn’t always strictly better than the older tech, otherwise we would’ve transmit power wirelessly at long distances, say, 5000km.

Using your online banking example, you will realise there are people who just simply aren’t capable of adapting to online banking, such as people in their 70s, 80s or even older. They are not grown in an era where online banking were a thing, or “being online” wasn’t even remotely possible. And there are folks who are just finding themselves struggling to use any electronic devices no matter how hard they try, whether they are young or old.

This is why I hate people demanding “dumping older tech” simply because they can adapt to it, without taking into account that there are more than just tech enthusiasts. For banks, they are much more into cutting costs than anything by closing branches especially those in remote locations (happens quite frequently in Australia lately). “Adapting to new technology” is more of a market pitch than doing good for customers.

 

[Imperial926]

I still have an iPad 4 mini running iPadOS 10.3.3, along with inheriting my father's iPad Air 2. While I have updated the iPad Air 2 to iPadOS 15.8.5, I have absolutely no intention whatsoever to update the iPad mini 4 at all. Why not the mini 4?

Simple: iPadOS and iOS 10.3.6 and lower were the last versions of iOS to support 32bit applications. I have apps that were not updated and/or abandoned that only work on iOS/iPadOS 10. Updating iOS/iPadOS will cause those apps to no longer function at all. You call that living in the past? I call it preserving apps that I use.

Newer != better.

BL.

Yes, the older devices still run OK on their final OS versions. My point was about not installing iOS26 on a relatively new phone. Nevertheless, as you point out, 32bit apps must in the end need to be changed or updated. It's just evolution.
On a slightly different note I spend a lot of time helping people transfer their old mini-DV tapes to digital when no modern software any long supports directly hooking up a camera. I also have to explain why other friends no longer find CD players in their cars and why their beloved iPod can't any longer work with Apple Music.
The key aspect of technology is keeping software and hardware contemporary with each other. If you have something old that still works then fine but there will come a day when a big change will be necessary and that may feel uncomfortable or even overwhelming.

 

[Imperial926]

That “problem” may not be a problem if certain people’s demand just isn’t hard or complex, or such demand works much better with older tech than newer ones. Newer tech isn’t always strictly better than the older tech, otherwise we would’ve transmit power wirelessly at long distances, say, 5000km.

Using your online banking example, you will realise there are people who just simply aren’t capable of adapting to online banking, such as people in their 70s, 80s or even older. They are not grown in an era where online banking were a thing, or “being online” wasn’t even remotely possible. And there are folks who are just finding themselves struggling to use any electronic devices no matter how hard they try, whether they are young or old.

This is why I hate people demanding “dumping older tech” simply because they can adapt to it, without taking into account that there are more than just tech enthusiasts. For banks, they are much more into cutting costs than anything by closing branches especially those in remote locations (happens quite frequently in Australia lately). “Adapting to new technology” is more of a market pitch than doing good for customers.

I would suggest that many of these people resisted at a time when they could have learnt but chose not to. As you say, it's later far too difficult to make the changes required. I am 70 this year but my first experience of online banking was in the 1990s so it feels fine.
Yesterday I tried to help someone who is one day younger than me and they simply won't trust any of it.

 

[FeliApple]

Garbage????? My iPhone, my wife's and probably millions of other people's are working just fine. It's a preference issue.

Perhaps garbage is an exaggeration when considering newer devices. Battery life has been reported as worse in pretty much every device including the 16 series.

But an iPhone 11 on iOS 26? It’s probably garbage vs iOS 13. A Mini? With their small battery life? I’d like to see how much battery life I get on that…

Perhaps many don’t care about lag, sluggish animations and a 30-40% reduction in battery life. I’d call that garbage. Simply because I know iOS devices have very high quality when running original iOS versions.

People frequently give battery life and performance as an upgrade reason because “my iPhone’s battery life was horrible and the phone was slow”.

Why do you think it was slow and with poor battery life? Because of iOS updates, of course.

perhaps a significant but not devastating reduction in battery life due to a software update for a newer iPhone isn’t relevant to you. But that’s still garbage. What do you mean a one or two-year-old iPhone has 15-20% worse battery life just because they keep impacting it with updates? Sure, it’s probably still enough, but that’s pathetic.

 

[FeliApple]

Yes, the older devices still run OK on their final OS versions.

Ok???!!! Ok???!!! You have zero expectations and tolerate garbage as if it were good.

I have an iPhone 6s on iOS 13, and with light cellular use it was at 40% after 2.5 hours of SOT. It was at 70% after one hour of use. My 6s on iOS 10 is at least twice as good.

A phone that has 65-70% after one hour of SOT when it was almost three times as good on its original iOS version is garbage.

And battery health is better on the iPhone on iOS 13 vs the one on iOS 10.

 

[oldmacs]

I upgraded to 26 before anyone else in the fam. That’s usually how it goes so I can give my feed back on who should/shouldn’t update depending on new features etc. I’m the tech support for my hubby, my 5 adults kids and my parents so if I have someone upgrade and there’s issues, it then becomes my issue to fix. You get the point.

So I upgraded on the day 26 dropped, I always update on new drops. First impressions I liked it…didn’t love it and still don’t. After so many days of the software settling and done indexing I was hoping for 2 major things: my battery life would be at least a little better than it was and safari wouldn’t be so buggy. Neither panned out. The same day pulled out my Mac air to get the ipsw file for 18.6/2 it’s no longer avail because Apple stopped signing.
Just 2 days before that my husband decides to update and he’s not a fan of the changes at all, and has the safari bugs. We both have 16 pros. I did tell him don’t update your work phone at all lol, as well as my parents, to stay at 18.6/2 or 18.7.
For the simple things I do on my phone, my undies are in quite a bunch because my battery life took a hit and the websites I use on safari are buggy

I can honestly say since upgrading software from the 4S & up, this is the first time I want to roll back !! I wish Apple would bring back 18.6/2 but we all know that’s like asking for ice water in he11 !!

Sorry for the long winded post I’m just frustrated and wanted to whine about it openly lol

I definitely did not update my Mac air because I can still use safari functionally on it !

I'm similar - I updated on day 1 as my family tech adviser with the plan to downgrade. It started ok, but has gradually gotten worse and worse - for example 75 percent of the time the camera is unusable.

My 13 Mini is now at times borderline unusable. I am so over Apple's inability to stick to patterns with software updates - last year the downgrade period was so much longer.

I used a 3GS on iOS 6, 4 on iOS 7, SE up to iOS 14, and this is probably the worst experience I've had. I remember iOS 7 on day 1 on my 4 being a bit slower but usable.

Apple needs to stop tying itself to the new phone = new iOS. 26 feels so unfinished.

 

[I7guy]

Perhaps garbage is an exaggeration when considering newer devices. Battery life has been reported as worse in pretty much every device including the 16 series.

That’s a temporary glitch that will be rectified.

But an iPhone 11 on iOS 26? It’s probably garbage vs iOS 13. A Mini? With their small battery life? I’d like to see how much battery life I get on that…

Perhaps many don’t care about lag, sluggish animations and a 30-40% reduction in battery life.

Many also don’t suffer lag or sluggish animations (which at times come out of the box) or battery life as there are charging solutions aplenty.

I’d call that garbage. Simply because I know iOS devices have very high quality when running original iOS versions.

And original versions loose functionality and security updates as time marches on.

People frequently give battery life and performance as an upgrade reason because “my iPhone’s battery life was horrible and the phone was slow”.

One cannot slow the effect of calendar aging, or battery abuse on li-ion batteries.

Why do you think it was slow and with poor battery life?

Slow had to do with older processors. iPhones on modern processors don’t slow down.

Because of iOS updates, of course.

Battery calendar aging is a given.

perhaps a significant but not devastating reduction in battery life due to a software update for a newer iPhone isn’t relevant to you.

No it’s not relevant because charging management solutions are everywhere.

But that’s still garbage. What do you mean a one or two-year-old iPhone has 15-20% worse battery life just because they keep impacting it with updates? Sure, it’s probably still enough, but that’s pathetic.

Thats hyperbole. Taking a number out of thin air and making a general statement about it.

Ok???!!! Ok???!!! You have zero expectations and tolerate garbage as if it were good.

Don’t know what it is garbage. My iPhone 15pm runs on iOS 26 as iOS 18.

I have an iPhone 6s on iOS 13, and with light cellular use it was at 40% after 2.5 hours of SOT. It was at 70% after one hour of use. My 6s on iOS 10 is at least twice as good.

And you are micromanaging battery life. I just use my phone.

A phone that has 65-70% after one hour of SOT when it was almost three times as good on its original iOS version is garbage.

And battery health is better on the iPhone on iOS 13 vs the one on iOS 10.

 

[FeliApple]

That’s a temporary glitch that will be rectified.

Many also don’t suffer lag or sluggish animations (which at times come out of the box) or battery life as there are charging solutions aplenty.

And original versions loose functionality and security updates as time marches on.

One cannot slow the effect of calendar aging, or battery abuse on li-ion batteries.

Slow had to do with older processors. iPhones on modern processors don’t slow down.

Battery calendar aging is a given.

No it’s not relevant because charging management solutions are everywhere.

Thats hyperbole. Taking a number out of thin air and making a general statement about it.

Don’t know what it is garbage. My iPhone 15pm runs on iOS 26 as iOS 18.

And you are micromanaging battery life. I just use my phone.

Don’t defend the indefensible. And always remember: share a screenshot if your super updated iPhone battery is so good.

 

[bradl]

Yes, the older devices still run OK on their final OS versions. My point was about not installing iOS26 on a relatively new phone. Nevertheless, as you point out, 32bit apps must in the end need to be changed or updated. It's just evolution.
On a slightly different note I spend a lot of time helping people transfer their old mini-DV tapes to digital when no modern software any long supports directly hooking up a camera. I also have to explain why other friends no longer find CD players in their cars and why their beloved iPod can't any longer work with Apple Music.
The key aspect of technology is keeping software and hardware contemporary with each other. If you have something old that still works then fine but there will come a day when a big change will be necessary and that may feel uncomfortable or even overwhelming.

You missed the point: the vendor abandoned the apps in question because either they stopped full development on it, or transitioned it to something like Apple Arcade, and created an entirely new platform there. That wasn't what the original app was, nor how true it actually stayed to what it was.

The Street Fighter 2 collection from Capcom was a collection of all of the original Street Fighter II arcade games from the early 1990s. It has been abandoned by Capcom.

Midway Arcade was a collection of all of the popular Midway/Williams games from the early 1980s (Joust, Rampage, Robotron: 2084, Defender, Wizards of Wor, Gauntlet, Gauntlet II, etc.) It was also abandoned and not updated to any 64bit variant.

Paperboy was another popular video game in the mid 1980s. It was abandoned.

Those won't be getting updates, and updating to a recent version of iOS just because recent version of iOS will not make those applications work, because they are not going to be updated to use the 64bit variants of the libraries required to run them. So if i upgrade, I lose them. I like playing those, so I will not be updating.

BL.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I'm similar - I updated on day 1 as my family tech adviser with the plan to downgrade. It started ok, but has gradually gotten worse and worse - for example 75 percent of the time the camera is unusable.

My 13 Mini is now at times borderline unusable. I am so over Apple's inability to stick to patterns with software updates - last year the downgrade period was so much longer.

I used a 3GS on iOS 6, 4 on iOS 7, SE up to iOS 14, and this is probably the worst experience I've had. I remember iOS 7 on day 1 on my 4 being a bit slower but usable.

Apple needs to stop tying itself to the new phone = new iOS. 26 feels so unfinished.

1. I'm so sorry to hear you are trapped on 26 with your 13 Mini
2. I'm SO HAPPY I didn't update and have blocked updates on my 13 Mini.

 

[I7guy]

Don’t defend the indefensible. And always remember: share a screenshot if your super updated iPhone battery is so good.

My battery life is different than yours. I’m not claiming the world’s record, only my phone lasts me the day the same as iOS 18.

Don’t make baseless generalizations you cant prove as a fact of matter.

 

[FeliApple]

13 to 1 in battery life consumption of iOS 26 vs 18 is insane.

Watch this and then decide to update, everyone:

Major iOS updates are malicious software.

 

[I7guy]

13 to 1 in battery life consumption of iOS 26 vs 18 is insane.

Watch this and then decide to update, everyone:

I believe this single use case. I updated am glad I did.

Major iOS updates are malicious software.

So don’t update. Micromanage your battery life. Be left behind with functionality.

 

[FeliApple]

I believe this single use case. I updated am glad I did.

Yes, perhaps due to the increased consumption by animations this use case is particularly heavy for iOS 26. But come on. It is ridiculous. 13 to 1 on the latest updatable iPhone is beyond ridiculous.

 

[whatnot]

just installed patch 15.8.5, and have never felt so secure.

 

[ThePinkChameleon]

I believe this single use case. I updated am glad I did.

So don’t update. Micromanage your battery life. Be left behind with functionality.

Honestly… I’m wishing I didn’t update yet. I, by all means, do not micromanage my battery life, and for the simple things I do daily on my phone I’m so frustrated and p!ssed off how quickly my battery drains nowadays I find I need to charge midday which on ios18.6/2 I never needed to do. My battery would be good till I turned in at night…
Don’t want to be left behind on newer functionality, no…but at the same time I didn’t expect my battery to take such a hit like it did. So I can completely understand other user’s frustration as well. I’m right there with them.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Don’t want to be left behind on newer functionality

Honestly, there's very little to be worried about on this front.

Based on everything I'm seeing and hearing, I'm planning to skip 26 altogether.

If we hearken back to the iOS7 transition for guidance, it could be a while before a lot of things get better here.

I'm hopeful for some big updates/tweaks/refinements for iOS27.