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Apple Stops Signing Older iOS Versions, Blocking downgrades
Apple has ceased signing several older versions of iOS, including iOS 12, iOS 15, iOS 16, and iOS 18, effectively preventing users from downgrading to these versions. This practice typically occurs after Apple releases updates with crucial security fixes or deems a version sufficiently stable.
As reported by MacRumors,Apple recently stopped signing iOS 26.2. this means that users who have updated to iOS 26.2.1, released just a week ago, can no longer revert to iOS 26.2 or any earlier version.
The iOS 26.2.1 update included support for the AirTag (2nd generation) and bug fixes, but did not explicitly list any specific security improvements or Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs).
Beyond iOS 26.2, Apple has also stopped signing the following versions:
- iOS 12.5.7
- iOS 15.8.5
- iOS 1