Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Stops Signing iOS 18.6.2, iOS 26 Downgrades Now Impossible
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I bet devices running 18.7 will sell for more on eBay than the new 17 line, in a few weeks.
No, it’s not possible to downgrade to iOS 18.7. Only upgrade to 18.7 if you already have 18.6.2.
(iOS 18.7 is running very nicely on my iPhone 13, and I expect it will stay that way for the foreseeable future!)
A cynical view might say ….In a month or two’s time it is discovered that IOS 26 has the weakest numbers in terms of people updating their devices? What would that say? Hmm, now we have those who upgraded + those who did and wanted to go back but can’t (trapped). Higher uptake percentage. Ah….that’s better. Imagine statistics that highlighted the numeric of people who upgraded, then decided to go back? Wouldn’t be a PR win for Apple.
Apple should take into account the myriad of complaints from long time users and clean up the bugs and give those who want to a way to turn off liquid glass. OTOH Apple knows that switching costs are very high - so even e complainers won’t jump ship so easily. At the same time they are looking for new first time users who are enthralled by this Fisher-Price update and will get onboard the Apple train. It’s only business …
Last edited:
Like lemmings you all fell into the trap.
iOS 26 is the kraken
iOS 26 is the kraken
And just how long do you think you can all live in the past?
I'm glad I held off on updating my 14 Pro. I was going to install it just to see how my phone held up, but I'm good on 18.7 now. Updated my iPad Pro and there haven't been any issues. I'm not a huge fan of some of the design changes, but it doesn't hinder the use of my iPad.
I should have known better. Def the last time I YOLO an OS update.
It really shouldn't be any of Apple's business what version of software I run, so long as the hardware supports it. Mandatory version signing is a great way to prove how much you hate your own customers.
Good question. The answer is simply this: Apple doesn't want you to do that. So they simply refuses to allow this option.
That is, why I don't use any of their devices, except for an older Mac mini. But at least I can install Linux, Windows, etc. on it, when Apple puls the plugs. Oh, whait, they already did that!
This was a useful thread. Just went to my phone settings, disabled automatic updates, and updated from 18.6 to 18.7 while I was at it. 
Going to cling to it as long as the apps I need will continue working, or for another year, depending on what iOS 27 will look like.
Going to cling to it as long as the apps I need will continue working, or for another year, depending on what iOS 27 will look like.
Anyone care to speculate how many years we will have to put up with this glass nonsense?!?
They bogged down the CPU/GPU just enough to make you upgrade for the next iPhone. This is their formula for everything. Cram new software "innovations" to tax the chips so you continue the planned obsolescence scheme with no way to roll your device back.
I don’t understand why Apple doesn’t allow users to install the iOS version of their choice on iPhones and iPads. On Macs, you can easily roll back to earlier versions. The reality is, these devices tend to run best on the OS version they were originally released with.
Every year, new iOS updates bring new features—but they also slow down older devices. My iPhone 15 Pro Max running iOS 17 probably performs just as well as an iPhone 17 with iOS 26. But Apple wants users to believe the iPhone 17 is significantly faster, simply because iOS 26 is “optimized” for it.
Honestly, instead of pushing sideloading, I wish the EU had forced Apple to let users downgrade to the OS version their device originally shipped with.
Every year, new iOS updates bring new features—but they also slow down older devices. My iPhone 15 Pro Max running iOS 17 probably performs just as well as an iPhone 17 with iOS 26. But Apple wants users to believe the iPhone 17 is significantly faster, simply because iOS 26 is “optimized” for it.
Honestly, instead of pushing sideloading, I wish the EU had forced Apple to let users downgrade to the OS version their device originally shipped with.
1-2 years. Apple is working on next UI with ”Liquid metal T1000”
Phew, thank goodness I blocked this iOS26 update on my iPad and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
The signed one is iOS26.
The signed one is iOS26.
I downgraded my iPad M2 very shortly before they stopped signing. I’m in my happy place
Should have read the comments before posting a nothing story yourself.
Sneaky of them to not provide them. That's why I said "if it exists," since it was how I installed 17.7 last year
I really don’t understand the issue here. Experienced users surely know how this works and there have been countless articles here and elsewhere on the look and functionality of iOS26. The desire to install it for whatever reason seems to have replaced natural caution.
Personally, I’m perfectly happy with iOS26 and I also understand that nothing in technology stands still. Initial issues are usually sorted quickly and down the line most of us wonder what the fuss was about. To add to this, at 69 I’m probably older than most people here and I have had few problems with the update or with Tahoe.
Personally, I’m perfectly happy with iOS26 and I also understand that nothing in technology stands still. Initial issues are usually sorted quickly and down the line most of us wonder what the fuss was about. To add to this, at 69 I’m probably older than most people here and I have had few problems with the update or with Tahoe.
Yes. Even the last version of that major release is an acceptable compromise in case Apple doesn't want to deal with the .0 issues that were long fixed
Actually it’s fairly well established that the majority of apps and mobile websites will support 18.7 for 2-3 years. That’s how long we can live in the past.