Don't Want to Upgrade to iOS 26? Here's How to Stay on iOS 18 [Update: Now Unavailable]

[brgjoe]

For the first time I have never upgraded to the new OS. I'm still on 17.7.2. Didn't like the "improvements" in both Mail and Photos that came with IOS 18. Sounds like iOS26 isn't a whole lot better.

Probably will only upgrade when/if I do get a new iPhone. Until then, am staying put despite the nagging Apple gives me to upgrade.

 

[Miat]

I think there's a reasonable argument to be made for sticking with an install that is working well for you and dialed in, especially on the Mac side.

Changing/updating all the time can introduce problems and, speaking for myself at least, I use my Mac to get a large variety of work done.

Interruptions to the workflows due to new issues are not desirable at all.

I would be very much in favor of Apple switching to more of an 18-24 month cycle for macOS major versions.

Count me in that camp. Some here don't seem to appreciate the cost and potential risks of having to do major upgrades so often (as opposed to minor updates to fix bugs and security issues).

I really don't see any good reason from a user's perspective to have such frequent major upgrade cycles to the latest Brand New Thing™.

For Macs I usually upgrade the OS every other version, currently on Sequoia (was on Ventura before that) and in no hurry to switch to Tahoe. I also usually don't upgrade until a couple of updates have been issued for the new version to deal with bugs, etc.

For iOS I upgrade quickly, but only because Apple don't give you much choice. However this time I am reluctant to leave 18 as it is working and I am hearing too many problems and unhappiness with 26 to jump yet.

Not happy about Apple pulling a security update for 18. That is not okay. I hope they did that because there is a problem with it, not because they are trying to force users onto 26.

 

[Neepman]

OS26 is just a horrible update for seniors for which an iPad is a absolute lifeline to connecting with the world. Way too many changes that create extra "traps" that can't be turned off in accessibility and so much moving around of search windows and icons.

 

[Skyscraperfan]

Apple has lost a lot of trust when updates made older phones slower.

 

[Omega Mac]

Other than some very sluggish animations, ugly/blurry icons and a handful of UI hiccups, I haven't noticed huge problems on my recently upgraded iPhone 13 yet. I would still prefer keep my Mom's phone on iOS 18 a little longer. Some UI changes will undoubtedly trip her up and necessitate help from me or other relatives.

But I'm really reluctant to put an RC on her phone. I'm therefore hoping that Apple will release the bugfix for other phones too.

I setup and support anothers 2020SE which had iOS 26 installed, so I have had initial but limited contact time with IoS26 and I concur regards visuals.

In that limited time (a few mins a few times to fix or check something) I've never seen so many UI / animations design fails, visual stutters, visual bugginess and Zoom Display Zoom > Large looks as if go no fit & finished time, like none and it had to be reverted to default.

I got to use the camera outdoors yesterday and I couldn't believe what I was seeing or actually not seeing, the dynamic contrast made text button options illegible, wild and crazy times!

 

[Omega Mac]

I like Liquid Glass but it definitely remains a WIP, with janky UI performance issues even on my 16e.

For that reason I won’t be advising my mother to update her iPhone 13.

it’s more concerning that whilst Google puts out powerful software updates infused with Gemini AI across its software product line virtually each week, Apple is still resorting to flashy UX features to drive interest, as if genai had never happened.

And no, this is not Apple cleverly biding its time - this is Apple completely missing the boat.

Personally, if Ai is infused into every nook and cranny of iOS/OS for extra-magical magic, then that's the end.

They will not be able to resist dynaimc-Aisland where the macOS/iOS etc. is tailored UI/UX based on how you Ai perceives your mood, Ai applied magical dynamic.

That's where things are going to go, everything being handed over the the Ai, to create the UI/UX on the flay.

Generative everything up the wazoo.

100 Alan Dye's leaving will not fix that vista.

 

[Omega Mac]

Ios26 is the windows vista of iOS version.

Hopefully the next version in 2026 will be lighter, faster and less wasteful on resources.

Remember all of this bloat compared with xp?

View attachment 2589442
View attachment 2589443


What they took from us 😭😢💔
View attachment 2589444

It was exactly this that moved me to me to the Mac back in 2008 I had enough, vista did more for Apple sales than I think people realise, and I never looked back until looking at these screenshots today!

 

[Hank001]

On a related note, this is what's happening in macOS:

Just don't click on Update now,
because you'll get macOS26,
instead of the expected 15.7.3

Tap on the info icon:

And it'll default to macOS26.2

Thanks Apple, but no thanks. I'll choose 15.7.3
Also, the check box is wrong. Ought to be a radio button.
Hipster designers at Apple nowadays. Don't even know what a radio is it seems.

 

[Omega Mac]

But the ones stuck on anything lower than 26 will be the minority shortly. If people want the latest security updates, then they have to use the latest OS, why should Apple, MS or anyone else waste time and resources catering to the minority when there is a perfectly fine and free update. People either need to move with the times and adapt, or they'll just get left behind. That goes for any technology.

This is not even an argument let alone in line with the tenant of the topic. So why post it? It reads also read like Ai generated text.

 

[Reeneman]

The problem with this approach is Apple will soon nag you to upgrade every single time you unlock your phone.

The final beta of 26 works super well on my device (13 Pro) so I've stayed on it, and now I get nagged with every unlock.

View attachment 2589385

If you’re already on the iOS 26 beta then there is no point not to update to 26.2.
Honestly sone of you guys making their life harder as it has to be…

 

[Reeneman]

I had to buy an old Apple Watch off Craigslist to avoid having to update my entire ecosystem!
The lengths I've gone to to protect my family from iOS 26!

„protect my family from iOS 26“
… bro come on 😆😆

 

[nickelro]

I’m still on iOS 18 and I only get such notifications occasionally, typically when Apple releases a new update. Certainly not daily, more like once every 1-2 months? I’m not on the public beta channel.

I was getting the same with the previous iOS versions, but since they released 26.2 I got daily notifications to “update now or schedule for later”.

 

[bogdanw]

Thanks Apple, but no thanks. I'll choose 15.7.3

The Defer90.mobileconfig profile still hides Tahoe https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/defer-tahoe-for-90-days.2465304/

 

[Imperial926]

I'm a professional clarinettist and around 1830 a new system of keywork radically changed the way the instrument could be played. It was truly a quantum leap forward but many players would not give up what they knew to the extent that I was still encountering a few die hards on horrible instruments in the 1980s. Every leading player at the end of the 19th century advised their students to learn the new system even though it might be too late for themselves to make the change.
Although the system was a huge leap forward in 1830 no new system has ever gained traction since.
The nearest computer-related similarity to this I can think of might be the QWERTY keyboard.
Imagine the upheaval if all manufacturers abandoned it. Thing is, children in school would quickly learn to use some better, new arrangement.
As a 70 year old I expect more from those younger than me in terms of welcoming change. Naturally we don't want change for change's sake but we should give credit to OS developers that they might just know what they're doing even if progress means working through a few bugs. Things were infinitely worse 30 years ago!

 

[Radeon85]

This UI design is going to be around for a good decade at least, so people can delay themselves from using it as long as they want, but in the end, you will be using it eventually, whether you like it or not.

Even Windows and Android UIs change far more often than iOS, and more drastically as well. The UI isn’t that much different, and you can reduce the effect by a decent amount using the tinted option. Even my mother prefers the iOS 26 design over 18.

 

[shinkansenwarrior]

Wish I never updated to 26.
Liquid glass is a disaster.

Bro, you're now in the sh*t pit Apple lured you into. I feel for you.

 

[Wolf1701]

Some people here have failed to understand that this is not about “resisting change” for its own sake. Most of those who haven't done the so-called ‘upgrade’ would actually have liked to do so... but the pros and cons, at least for now, don't justify it. If Apple fixes the bugs (and perhaps shows enough trust in LG to update its own iWork), we'd be thrilled to switch to 26.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I'm a professional clarinettist and around 1830 a new system of keywork radically changed the way the instrument could be played. It was truly a quantum leap forward but many players would not give up what they knew to the extent that I was still encountering a few die hards on horrible instruments in the 1980s. Every leading player at the end of the 19th century advised their students to learn the new system even though it might be too late for themselves to make the change.
Although the system was a huge leap forward in 1830 no new system has ever gained traction since.
The nearest computer-related similarity to this I can think of might be the QWERTY keyboard.
Imagine the upheaval if all manufacturers abandoned it. Thing is, children in school would quickly learn to use some better, new arrangement.
As a 70 year old I expect more from those younger than me in terms of welcoming change. Naturally we don't want change for change's sake but we should give credit to OS developers that they might just know what they're doing even if progress means working through a few bugs. Things were infinitely worse 30 years ago!

Alan Dye was the head of Liquid Glass, and since he left, a lot of Apple employees (and previous, like Jony Ive) are coming out saying he stunk and they didn’t like his work. This is not a normal bit of complaints, and I think there are going to be some substantial changes in the coming months/year. Maybe not rolling back…but it’ll be different.

Transparency sucks.

 

[Macalicious2011]

This UI design is going to be around for a good decade at least, so people can delay themselves from using it as long as they want, but in the end, you will be using it eventually, whether you like it or not.

Don't be so sure.

In the past few weeks Apples head of UI has left for meta. Furthermore there is a RAM shortage that's likely to impact ram capacity of next year's iPhone.

Both of these could impact transparency.

Remeber what happened after this guy left?

 

[Biro]

I had to buy an old Apple Watch off Craigslist to avoid having to update my entire ecosystem!
The lengths I've gone to to protect my family from iOS 26!

I bought a new Apple Watch 11 for myself this Christmas. I have given it to my wife to wrap and put under the tree for me. At this point, I’m thinking about returning it.

 

[I7guy]

I look forward to new things, so I do like change. I'm especially fond of OS upgrades. "Kid in the candy store" syndrome. OS 26 (any flavor) is the first Apple OS I have boycotted, so I don't like bad change.

I respect your opinion, but I do like the updates brought about by iOS 26.

 

[I7guy]

OS26 is just a horrible update for seniors for which an iPad is an absolute lifeline to connecting with the world. Way too many changes that create extra "traps" that can't be turned off in accessibility and so much moving around of search windows and icons.

If by seniors you mean people over 95 it could be.

Apple has lost a lot of trust when updates made older phones slower.

I think a minority of people claim that. But since the advent of 64 bit on iPhones, it’s not really a thing.

 

[Imperial926]

The long view on change at Apple (and elsewhere)

 

[I7guy]

Don't be so sure.

[…]
Remeber what happened after this guy left?
[…]

Yeah the iPhone got started on a trajectory that would cement Apple as a powerhouse.

 

[Joosst]

Nooo I accidentally updated to iOS 26 and I absolutely don't like it. Stupid fake glass icons (how dare they do that to other people's well designed logo's!?), horrendous control center, unbelievably dumb decision to not have any toolbars anywhere so everything blurs and fades (but flickers from black to white to remain barely legible), which SEEMS to allow for more space but practically there is less usable space. It's atrocious and I don't want to look at it. The worst thing is that 3rd party developers are adapting and also incorporating those poor choices. This is going to take years to correct. What a mess.

Meanwhile: is there a way I can get back to iOS 18? It seems there isn't, right?

(Luckily I didn't update my Mac yet, and will definitely not.)