Apple Stops Signing iOS 26.2, Blocking Downgrades From iOS 26.2.1

[MacRumors]

Apple today stopped signing iOS 26.2, which means that iPhone users who have updated to iOS 26.2.1 are no longer able to downgrade to the earlier version of iOS. Apple released iOS 26.2.1 last week with support for the AirTags 2.

Software "signing" means that it has passed the server-side verification check that Apple performs when a user downloads a new version of iOS on an iPhone. An update can't be installed unless it passes the verification check.

Apple does not show users earlier versions of iOS once an upgrade has come out, but when software is still signed, it is possible to downgrade using the macOS Finder on a Mac or the Apple Devices app on a Windows PC. Until today, users would have been able to downgrade from iOS 26.2.1 to iOS 26.2 if desired for some reason.

Unsigning software prevents Apple customers from installing outdated, less secure versions of iOS, and Apple typically stops signing an update a week or so after new software comes out.

Apple has also stopped signing several older versions of iOS provided for devices unable to update to iOS 26, including iOS 12.5.7, iOS 15.8.5, iOS 16.7.12, and iOS 18.7.3. iOS 12.5.8, iOS 15.8.6, and iOS 18.7.4 were released last week, while an updated version of iOS 16 came out today.

Article Link: Apple Stops Signing iOS 26.2, Blocking Downgrades From iOS 26.2.1

 

[DocMultimedia]

A downgrade to 18 would be nice. 😁

 

[capamac]

A downgrade to 18 is an upgrade.

 

[im_to_hyper]

Here I was hoping for Tim Cook’s signature to appear in my “About” menu when I looked for that signing signature!

 

[Heat_Fan89]

Here I was hoping for Tim Cook’s signature to appear in my “About” menu when I looked for that signing signature!

It's our best version of iOS and we know you're going to love it! 🥳

 

[danmaldesign]

I never upgraded to iOS 26, still running iOS 18.7.2 because of all of the negative feedback. I’m happy I chose to stay with the older operating system.

 

[svish]

Happens as usual. Better to wait for sometime before updating just to be sure that there are no bugs with the new version.

 

[AgentOSX]

I have all sorts of Bluetooth and audio issues since 26.2.1 I never had with 26.2.

 

[TFrank2]

I never upgraded to iOS 26, still running iOS 18.7.2 because of all of the negative feedback. I’m happy I chose to stay with the older operating system.

A lot of us right now 🤣

 

[Black_Mage]

I never upgraded to iOS 26, still running iOS 18.7.2 because of all of the negative feedback. I’m happy I chose to stay with the older operating system.

You should update to 18.7.3 ASAP.

 

[ZipZilla]

I never started signing iOS 26 to begin with LOL. Not a single advantage to upgrading. next time, Apple!!

 

[B4U]

What bug fixes are in 26.2.1 anyway?

You should update to 18.7.3 ASAP.

That window has closed already for devices that can run 26.

 

[sdf]

I've been relatively happy with 26 so far, but 26.2.1 has broken audio in a way that wasn't broken in 26.0-26.2.

 

[titanium69]

Can they block upgrades?

 

[CATiNTHESTORE]

Just flexing,
Have great day/evening lads

:3

 

[Downundermac]

Installed 26.2.1 on my 256gb 14 PM. Battery health 97%. I’m sure there will be the odd bug but everything seems to work seamlessly so far and CarPlay is a massive improvement at least in my Toyota’s aftermarket touchscreen head deck. Waited months to update my phone based purely on all the negative opinions which had me thinking I’d need to switch to Android (I’ll rain check for the moment). Haven’t tried Mac OS 26 yet, but have to say I’m not entirely sold on TV OS 26. It does work but the OS Home Screen icons don’t line up properly on my TV and it refuses to connect to my EarPods Pro 2’s despite trying all the tricks.

 

[brightonmacguy]

I'm forever stuck on 18.6.2 until they sort out the liquid glass mess. 🤣

 

[Populus]

Huge Pheewwww…

I managed to upgrade all my devices, all of them powered by A15 and M2 SoC (same gen chip) before they stopped signing it.

Why is such a relief? Because iOS/iPadOS 26.2 was extremely good regarding battery life on those devices. See the iPhone 13 here:

And I can confirm it: better battery life on 26.2 than on the latest iOS 18 releases… on A15/M2 devices.

Now with 26.2.1 this seems to have returned to the usual drain so I am sticking with 26.2 until a new release offers good battery life. Hopefully 26.3…

 

[Powerbooky]

I never upgraded to iOS 26, still running iOS 18.7.2 because of all of the negative feedback. I’m happy I chose to stay with the older operating system.

Same here. Now I only have to wipe off the almost daily notifications that iOS26.x.x is here.

 

[UliBaer]

Just flexing,
Have great day/evening lads

:3

Just flexing harder:



Good luck everyone! 😁

 

[winxmac]

Just flexing harder:

View attachment 2601490

Good luck everyone! 😁

I still miss the Photos app of iOS 17 and earlier but I'll stay strong and keep my iPhone 11 Pro Max on iOS 18.7

 

[ItchyRat2160]

Joke's on them, I haven't even upgraded from iOS 18 yet.

 

[klasma]

Same here. Now I only have to wipe off the almost daily notifications that iOS26.x.x is here.

Switch to the iOS 18 public beta channel.

 

[Nik]

Whoever builds a software tool to downgrade to iOS without liquid glass will be an instant millionaire.

 

[Reeneman]

Huge Pheewwww…

I managed to upgrade all my devices, all of them powered by A15 and M2 SoC (same gen chip) before they stopped signing it.

Why is such a relief? Because iOS/iPadOS 26.2 was extremely good regarding battery life on those devices. See the iPhone 13 here:

View attachment 2601477

And I can confirm it: better battery life on 26.2 than on the latest iOS 18 releases… on A15/M2 devices.

Now with 26.2.1 this seems to have returned to the usual drain so I am sticking with 26.2 until a new release offers good battery life. Hopefully 26.3…

I don’t know, for me this looks like a placebo. Especially these small x.x.1 updates aren’t changing something on the OS that drastically that it impacts battery life so heavily.
26.2.1 was a security fix update as usual and it brought the support for the new AirTags, not more.