If you were thinking about rolling back to iOS 18.6, Apple just shut that door. The company has officially stopped signing iOS 18.6, which means downgrades from iOS 18.6.1 or the newer iOS 18.6.2 are no longer possible.
Why Apple Stops Signing Older iOS Versions
Apple regularly stops signing older iOS releases, usually within a week or two of pushing a new one. Once an update is no longer signed, it fails Apple’s server-side verification process and simply can’t be installed on an iPhone.
This move keeps most users on the latest version of iOS, ensuring they have:
- The newest security patches against known exploits
- Access to recent bug fixes and stability improvements
- Compatibility with Apple services and upcoming features
What Changed in iOS 18.6.1 and iOS 18.6.2
The decision to block downgrades comes right after two quick-fire updates:
- iOS 18.6.1 — Released just over a week ago, this version re-enabled blood oxygen monitoring in the U.S. for Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 running watchOS 11.6.1.
- iOS 18.6.2 — Dropped this Wednesday, bringing critical security fixes to iPhone users.
With Apple moving fast, iOS 18.6 is already old news. If you’ve updated, there’s no going back.
While some power users hate losing the option to downgrade, Apple’s strategy does make sense as it keeps the iPhone ecosystem tighter, more secure, and way less fragmented.
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