Apple just made it impossible to downgrade from iOS 26 — what you need to know

If you have recently upgraded to iOS 26, but are considering downgrading back to iOS 18.6.2, then we have some bad news.

It was revealed in a recent post on X by Aaron Perris that Apple is no longer signing iOS 18.6.2. As such, it is no longer possible to revert to the older software if you haven't already. However, it seems that Apple is still signing iOS 18.7, which Apple also released on Monday as an alternative to iOS 26.

This move isn’t entirely unexpected, as Apple historically waits one or two weeks before it stops signing iOS versions. If you’re unaware of what "signing" means, it essentially relates to the server-side software verification that has to occur when you download software onto your phone. If the server can't verify the update, it won't allow it to be downloaded, so once a company stops signing, then there's nothing that can be done.

What are the issues with iOS 26?

While we knew this was coming, it might be disappointing for some who are not huge fans of iOS 26. While there are some great new additions to some of the best iPhones, others have been met with less enthusiasm.

For instance, Apple’s new design language, Liquid Glass, has been criticized for being difficult to read, especially for those with visual impairments. This is compounded for some by the updates' new Dark Mode, which one Reddit post called an "optical nightmare."

iOS 26 has also been accused of degrading many devices' battery life and overall performance, especially on older phones. Apple itself has warned users that this can happen, with the update taking a day or more to properly index your files, download assets and more. There have also been complaints about the keyboard, especially when it comes to third-party apps.

There’s also an issue with the actual features on the phone, with many of the promised additions not actually featuring in the initial launch. For instance, iOS 26 doesn’t support digital U.S. passports just yet. The long-awaited Siri updates are also a no-show, although they’re currently expected for a release in 2026.

However, it’s not all bad, as Phones Editor Philip Michaels did find several positives in his review of iOS 26. For instance, he found the new call and text screen features to be a real improvement. We’ve also seen some threads on Reddit that are more positive towards the update, with compliments given to the new lock screen and native Apple apps.

At the end of the day, iOS 26 isn’t perfect, but we’d recommend updating eventually for the added security updates. It also appears that Apple is already working on the next update, as the first developer beta for iOS 26.1 has just been released.

Let us know if you're disappointed with the news that you can no longer downgrade, or if you are happy with iOS 26. If so, what are the features that you're happiest with?

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