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Apple Stops Signing iOS 18.6.2, iOS 26 Downgrades Now Impossible
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I can’t remember an iOS update that was solid enough to call good. I have been with Apple products since 1983 and had high hopes for iOS 26, but they shoved it out the door packed with more bugs than I have ever seen, even in the beta programs. Apple hardware is very hard to beat, but the newer software is absolute garbage.
Apple handled iOS 26 launch well. Received no complaints about being forced to update from the 15-20 peoples devices I oversee. Good job Apple!
Maybe not pure evil, but it definitely feels like it gave an award to pure evil.
Yes, it would kill people upgrading their hardware because new OSes are more intensive and performance degrades on older devices / battery doesn't last nearly as long. This is how Apple gets you - security is just the cover story.
I finished downgrading my two 14 Pros today at 12:05PM PST prior to getting them ready for sale on eBay. Have a feeling some potential buyers may appreciate/value the phones being on iOS 18 and giving them the choice to got to iOS 26.
I think it's in the wording of the article's first sentence:
"Apple has stopped signing iOS 18.6.2, which means that if you've upgraded to iOS 26, you're no longer able to downgrade to a version of iOS 18."
Ugh...stopping signing after only one week is quite brutal. Has it always been that quick? And yesterday I came quite close to going 18.7 > iOS 26 with the knowledge that I could switch back. Now I'm likely to keep my 13 Mini on iOS 18 as there's already lag as it is.WTF I had the ipsw downloaded like 10 mins ago. Now the 13 mini is stuck on 26. Damnit!
Download and Install iOS 18.6.2 (22G100) for iPhone 13 mini / IPSW Downloads
Download and Install iOS 18.6.2 (22G100) for iPhone 13 miniipsw.me
Irritating they don't have a timeline or clarity on exactly when they will stop signing. Had I did the restore 2 hrs ago, it would have worked. Nice.
I had actually started a thread recently on MR to see how 13 Mini users are finding the upgrade to iOS 26.
Download the 18.7 RC IPSW if it exists and use it to downgrade. The build number should be the same as the actual release.
Last year there were indeed IPSW files released for 17.7. This year there aren't
that’s the thing, the IPSW doesn’t exist (except apparently for XR/XS?—i haven’t checked that)
i’m glad i never upgraded! i was tempted to, earlier today, but life got in the way. idle hands, and all that.
I've not only not upgraded, I've also installed the profiles to block updates.
I don't want an "accident" from the mothership.
I don't want an "accident" from the mothership.
It was technically one week to stop signing last year as well but the difference was that they kept 17.7 available past that date. In fact, last year downgrading was available until into November.
Why would Apple release a firmware and no IPSW? Thats not right and absolutely shameful. People need to stop fellating this company and actually put the pressure on them publicly when it’s appropriate
That's interesting and worrisome, given the quite substantial change of the iOS26 UI.
Given the age of my 13 Mini, I think iOS 26 would have brought it to its knees. Knowing you can try and revert would have been okay but is too much of a risk now though.
Great. Now petition to Apple to stop signing old OS immediately after new release is announced, including beta releases, unless said old OS release is the last version supporting it. All the while blocking users from using their own device without the latest software with a grace period of only 24 hours.
Surely it is glorious to see your company’s latest software being used on 100% of the supported devices and Apple software is so robust and solid there’s no chance of any bug or issue being found by user.
Best thing to do is head to your nearest Apple Store and play with it for an extended period of time before making the upgrade decision.
$
Dear Apple
Apple has stopped signing iOS 18.6.2, which means that if you've upgraded to iOS 26, you're no longer able to downgrade to a version of iOS 18. Apple released iOS 26 a week ago.
When software is "signed," it means that it has passed a server-side verification check that Apple performs when a new version of iOS is downloaded on an iPhone. An update can't be installed unless it passes the verification check.
Unsigning software prevents Apple customers from installing outdated, less secure versions of iOS.
Apple isn't forcing users to install iOS 26, and there is an option to continue using iOS 18, but once a device has been upgraded to iOS 26, there's no going back.
Apple has also stopped signing iPadOS 18.6.2 and tvOS 18.6, so there's also no downgrade option available for iPads.
Article Link: Apple Stops Signing iOS 18.6.2, iOS 26 Downgrades Now Impossible
Maintain downgrade-ability to iOS 18 until iOS 27 is released, to iOS 26 until 28 is released, to 27 until …
Why not??
Than you in adv— vain, I am afraid
Is this Tim Cook's burner MR account? This was the worst iOS launched in the Cook era!