Apple Stops Signing iOS 18.6.2, iOS 26 Downgrades Now Impossible

[cedricdu06]

I need a bit of help. I have an iPhone on iOS 18.1 (not my basic device, but it’s been my main device in the past and it’s had many sensitive information).

For a deep erase, I’ve always put the device into DFU mode and restored using a valid IPSW on my Mac. However, now I don’t have other IPSW than the iOS 26 one. And I don’t want to install iOS 26 on that phone.

The only option I see of staying on iOS 18 is updating via OTA to 18.7, however, I what to ensure all my data is removed, and I don’t trust the option of “erase all content” in settings, I feel like there will still be content of mine here…

What would you do to completely wipe this iPhone while staying in iOS 18?

When I did recycling at Apple, I performed this operation.

 

[Populus]

The EU forced Apple to make a bunch of garbage changes. The one change that matters? “Nah, it’s okay, keep destroying iOS devices with irreversible malware, it’s fine”.

They had to do one thing.

Well, I think calling a brand new version of Apple’s iOS or iPadOS “malware” is a bit exaggerated.

That being said, I concur, one of the things EU should’ve done is making Apple, at the very least, keeping the door open to downgrade to the previous version that still receives security patches. For at least what’s remaining of the year, given that by January or February the new system runs quite well and, anyway, people have had the option to test the new iOS for three months.

And for those who think that may impact the number of adopters of the new iOS version, I actually disagree. I think people would jump to the new version fearlessly if they knew they have a three months window to revert to the previous major version with the security patches.

I would go even further and ask Apple to leave that window open until WWDC…

 

[WarmWinterHat]

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

Until the apps I care about stop working on iOS 18. I'm waiting for 26.1+, personally, but could easily hold out a couple years.

If some of this nonsense isn't scaled back, or adjustable via settings/accessibility, I'll probably just move to the Pixel. I've always kept one foot out of the ecosystem anyway..moving wouldn't be that difficult.

 

[JosephAW]

When they originally announced the new naming scheme we were hoping that they wouldn’t release the beta iOS version on newer devices until the year but unfortunately things continue as before, would’ve been better to release iOS 18.7 for the new iPhone 17. 📱

 

[Remy149]

Sounds like something Putin says to Ukraine

Except Putin is the one trying to rebuild the USSR and trying to recapture the past

 

[Remy149]

After tried macOS 26 on my mbpro + looked someone's else ip16pro with ios26, I panicked and quickly turned off auto upgrade on all family iPad, iPhone, and warned friends to avoid updating. Also cleaned off the macOS 26 infection from my mbpro.

Anyway it is ridicolous that it is no more possible to downgrade to iOS 18 from this buggy iOS 26.

So you decided to fear monger and influence others to think as you do smh

 

[I7guy]

Is this Tim Cook's burner MR account? This was the worst iOS launched in the Cook era!

No more than this is sundar pichai’s burner account. People like iOS 26 and with every new release the noise and hubris out shadows all.

 

[I7guy]

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.

It’s been like this for a long time and while some customers have complained about it, it doesn’t deter those from upgrading.

 

[Dylan33x]

This is a nothing story when 18.7 is still signed

Try downgrading

 

[Dylan33x]

Is there a specific reason why there is no IPSW for 18.7? Is it just a security update and that’s why they didn’t release one?

They do this every single year. It’s nothing new.

 

[pp_amorim]

I am still on 17.1.1

 

[Paddle1]

Well, I think calling a brand new version of Apple’s iOS or iPadOS “malware” is a bit exaggerated.

That being said, I concur, one of the things EU should’ve done is making Apple, at the very least, keeping the door open to downgrade to the previous version that still receives security patches. For at least what’s remaining of the year, given that by January or February the new system runs quite well and, anyway, people have had the option to test the new iOS for three months.

And for those who think that may impact the number of adopters of the new iOS version, I actually disagree. I think people would jump to the new version fearlessly if they knew they have a three months window to revert to the previous major version with the security patches.

I would go even further and ask Apple to leave that window open until WWDC…

Not to mention it genuinely doesn't make sense for them to not provide an IPSW file for an OS that they are still actively developing and pushing as the primary update OTA. Only early adopters are using 26.

 

[Eithanius]

Anyone care to speculate how many years we will have to put up with this glass nonsense?!?

12 years if they follow that design cycle from iOS 7 up to 18…

 

[hokuspokus]

While I like the changes iPadOS 26 brings to the iPad and Live Translation seems nice for iOS, I'll be sticking to iOS/iPadOS 18 for a while. 18 isn't as buggy as when it first released and, fortunately, Apple provides security updates and fixes for past major versions for a long time.

26 makes major changes and it seems there's enough need for stabilization for me to wait for a while. I just hope Apple doesn't stop providing updates for 18 to devices that can be updated to 26. They did that for 17 -> 18.

 

[unsui_grep]

OMG anyone with CarPlay thinks it now looks like Fischer Price ?

I've seen a lot of comparisons to Fischer Price across the board. The next Apple Pencil is probably going to look like a fat crayon.

 

[rforno]

Apple should really keep the downgrade window open much longer. While it's good they no longer force an upgrade, they aren't giving people much time to try the new iOS and decide if they want to keep it or not. My neighbour didn't even know about the new version until yesterday, he can't downgrade now if he doesn't like it.

While the days of iOS updates totally ruining a device's performance now thankfully seem to be long gone, Apple really should give people more freedom to choose which version of the OS they run on their device.

Yes but then they can't issue announcements about how the latest IOS/OS release is the 'most downloaded one ever' during its first week/month...

 

[CaptainFS]

We need LTS versions of i(Pad)OS and macOS — Long Term Support versions. I fully understand the excitement about 26 and Tahoe, but I don’t want to deal with version .0 bugs every year for the first 1–2 weeks.

I travel a lot, and waking up in a hotel with an iPad that has updated itself to something completely different, with half of the apps not working properly, is not something I fancy.
My company iPad is currently locked at 18.6.0 until all company apps have been tested, so I cannot update that one. I wonder if we’ll still get 18.7…

 

[LightsOn45]

There's a real benefit when something doesn't work - you get to play more with your device

So much for the Jobs era mantra of "It just works."

 

[Brandon42]

I've seen a lot of comparisons to Fischer Price across the board. The next Apple Pencil is probably going to look like a fat crayon.

Too late

 

[turbineseaplane]

Yes but then they can't issue announcements about how the latest IOS/OS release is the 'most downloaded one ever' during its first week/month...

Apple does plenty of disingenuous PR, but this one in particular really bothers me since the updates are foisted upon users and they have zero recourse if they don't like the update.

It's just not something anyone being honest should bring up as a talking point or as proof of how "great" and "popular" something is.

 

[unsui_grep]

Too late

Come on. The corner radii on that thing ain't fat enough.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

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

Is wanting to stay on a more mature OS after the release of a new major release until the new release has bugs worked out "living in the past"? It's actually very smart. Wanting to try it out is also smart but for Apple to give users 1-7 days before there is no return is ridiculous. I believe it's just to show some great numbers of people on iOS 26 (actually forced and stuck on iOS 26). In any case, it feels like a trap.

 

[iFunk]

Still rockin' iOS 17 here. When Apple "enhanced" Photos in 2024 I decided I was OUT!!! All the battery complaints... every single year.. folks, you aren't required to update your phone. Its the same BS every year.. just stay on the iOS you like the most!

 

[turbineseaplane]

Its the same BS every year.. just stay on the iOS you like the most!

The one problem that rears its ugly head for many folk are required updates for certain types of Apps.

Banking or streaming content ones are often culprits here.

 

[macjaffa]

We need LTS versions of i(Pad)OS and macOS — Long Term Support versions. I fully understand the excitement about 26 and Tahoe, but I don’t want to deal with version .0 bugs every year for the first 1–2 weeks.

I travel a lot, and waking up in a hotel with an iPad that has updated itself to something completely different, with half of the apps not working properly, is not something I fancy.
My company iPad is currently locked at 18.6.0 until all company apps have been tested, so I cannot update that one. I wonder if we’ll still get 18.7…

Simple configure Your device not to update automatically. And dont update it until .1 or .2 whatever. Do u really need apple to do Everything for you?