Now, if you wish to go back to the OS before iOS 26, you can no longer do that because Apple has stopped signing iOS 18.6.2.
Of course, Apple is not forcing you to upgrade to iOS 26. There's still an option to continue using iOS 18. However, if you've upgraded to iOS 26, you can no longer go back.
Apple has also stopped signing iPadOS 18.6.2 as well as tvOS 18.6, so you can no longer downgrade your iPad or Apple TV device either.
iOS 26. | Image Credit - Apple
Apple protects users from installing outdated software
Basically, when software is "signed", it means that it has passed a server-side verification check that Apple does every time a new version of iOS is downloaded on an iPhone. In other words, an update can't be installed unless it passes said verification check.
Have you upgraded to iOS 26 yet?
Yes, and I’m happy with it
23.08%
Yes, but I regret it
40%
Not yet, waiting to see how it goes
24.62%
No, I’ll stick with my current iOS
12.31%
Apple stops signing software to protect Apple device owners from installing outdated and less secure versions of its operating systems. Therefore, it's done for protection purposes.
iOS 26 has minor bugs that should be addressed in a future fix
iOS 26 is a pretty big upgrade, and I've been loving it so far. There are plenty of exciting changes, and I overall like the new design of the OS. However, I've experienced a couple of minor bugs here and there, nothing fatal or experience-disrupting, and usually those get ironed out soon after with a following software update.
After all, I wasn't even thinking of downgrading back to iOS 18. Hopefully, users who wished to do so have already done it, so now the rest of the people who are on iOS 26 are hopefully happy with it.
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Izzy, a tech enthusiast and a key part of the PhoneArena team, specializes in delivering the latest mobile tech news and finding the best tech deals. Her interests extend to cybersecurity, phone design innovations, and camera capabilities. Outside her professional life, Izzy, a literature master's degree holder, enjoys reading, painting, and learning languages. She's also a personal growth advocate, believing in the power of experience and gratitude. Whether it's walking her Chihuahua or singing her heart out, Izzy embraces life with passion and curiosity.
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