Apple Stops Signing iOS 9.2.1, Downgrading From iOS 9.3 No Longer Possible

As of today, Apple has stopped signing iOS 9.2.1 for compatible iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models, meaning users can no longer upgrade or downgrade to that version of iOS using iTunes. Apple is now signing iOS 9.3 and iOS 9.3.1 only.

iOS 9.3 was released to the public on March 21, and iOS 9.3.1 was released 10 days later on March 31.

iOS 9.3 has suffered from several bugs since it was released, which may have prompted some users to downgrade to the more stable iOS 9.2.1 release. An Activation Lock issue on some older devices caused Apple to temporarily pull the iOS 9.3 update for some users shortly after iOS 9.3 launched, and the iOS 9.3.1 update was released to fix a second major bug that caused apps to crash or freeze after tapping or long pressing on a web link. Both issues have now been solved.

Tags: iOS 9.2.1, iOS 9.3

Top Rated Comments

Pakaku

126 months ago

inb4 people start complaining about how they don't like what Apple does despite the fact that they do that every time a new update is released.

I still think not being able to downgrade to an older major version is pretty inconvenient.

Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)

RedOrchestra

126 months ago

Incredibly cheeky of Apple with 9.3 still in flux.

Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

dannyyankou

126 months ago

Incredibly cheeky of Apple with 9.3 still in flux.

Speaking of flux, I love the night shift feature!

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

mistasopz

126 months ago

inb4 people start complaining about how they don't like what Apple does despite the fact that they do that every time a new update is released.

Well maybe they wouldn't complain if Apple's updates didn't screw up their phones and introduce new bugs. Like the browser crashing when visiting websites. This is not trivial.

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

hlfway2anywhere

126 months ago

Well.. There is no ticket for you to going back now, if the update screwd your phone, your stucked with it.

I am still stay at iOS 7 with my iPad Mini first generation and iPhone 4S. iPod touch 6, iPhone 6S, iPad Mini 4 and iPad Air 2 still at iOS 9.2. After all these bugs, I am not going to update.

I don't really care with my Android phones (Nexus, Moto, Xiaomi and Meizu), all I need to do is reflash old firmware and be happy (Nexus and Moto need flash files and adb commond, while Xiaomi and Meizu just need put .zip file on the root directory and hit restore).

All these bugs? I feel like there are probably more recorded bugs in 9.2. What known 9.3.1 bugs are there?

Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

JosephAW

126 months ago

They should allow any version to be signed and installed.
Yes I know they are not updating older iOS' but the user should be allowed to choose for various reasons like compatibility or testing software or 32 bit desktop hardware like me. iOS 8.4.1 is working fine for me on my iPhone 6.

Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Read All Comments

Popular Stories

Everything New in iOS 26.2 Beta 3

Monday November 17, 2025 3:20 pm PST by Juli Clover

Apple provided developers with the third beta of an upcoming iOS 26.2 update, and there are still new features that are being added with each beta that we get. We've rounded up all of the changes that Apple made in beta 3. AirDrop Apple added new AirDrop functionality, providing a way for two people to share files temporarily without having to add one another as contacts. iOS 26.2...

• 20 comments

Apple Brings New AppleCare+ Options to India

Tuesday November 18, 2025 8:42 am PST by Hartley Charlton

Apple today announced an expansion of AppleCare+ coverage in India, with new options for monthly and annual plans, and the addition of Theft and Loss for iPhone for the first time. Options for monthly and annual AppleCare+ plans in India provide more choice and flexibility, allowing users to keep coverage for as long as they require. Apple's vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product...

• 6 comments

iPhone Driver's License Feature Launching in Illinois

Tuesday November 18, 2025 8:47 am PST by Joe Rossignol

In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Starting this Wednesday, November 19, the feature will be available to residents of Illinois. The announcement confirmed that the...

• 71 comments

Apple Sports App on iPhone Now Available in More European Countries

Monday November 17, 2025 6:27 am PST by Joe Rossignol

The free Apple Sports app on the iPhone was released in additional European countries today, including Belgium, Croatia, Czechia, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Poland, Hungary, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, Greece, Estonia, Latvia, Romania, Ukraine, and others. The app was already available in the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Austria, France, Germany,...

• 22 comments

Apple Releases New Firmware for 140W USB-C Power Adapter, Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad

Tuesday November 18, 2025 1:05 pm PST by Juli Clover

Apple today released updated firmware for several accessories, including the 140W USB-C Power Adapter, the Magic Trackpad 2, the Magic Trackpad USB-C, the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, and the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad. There is no word on what's included in the updated firmware at this time, but it could offer performance improvements and security updates. Accessory...

• 77 comments

iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 16 Wi-Fi Speeds: New Study Reveals the Winner

Tuesday November 18, 2025 10:53 am PST by Joe Rossignol

A new study has revealed that the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air achieve significantly faster average Wi-Fi speeds compared to the iPhone 16 series, thanks to Apple's custom-designed N1 chip. The study was conducted by Ookla, the company behind the popular Speedtest website and app. It said the results are based on global, crowdsourced Speedtest user data...

• 46 comments

10 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 18 Pro

Wednesday November 19, 2025 4:00 am PST by Tim Hardwick

Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth...

• 84 comments

Best Black Friday Apple Deals Live Now - Save on AirPods, iPads, and Apple Watches

Saturday November 15, 2025 1:45 pm PST by Mitchel Broussard

We're officially in the month of Black Friday, which will take place on Friday, November 28 in 2025. As always, this will be the best time of the year to shop for great deals, including popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When ...

• 3 comments

The Best Early Black Friday Mac Deals

Tuesday November 18, 2025 7:32 am PST by Mitchel Broussard

We're getting closer to Black Friday, which lands next week on Friday, November 28. In the lead-up to the shopping holiday, we're tracking a few lowest-ever prices on Apple's most popular Macs, including the M4 MacBook Air and brand new M5 MacBook Pro. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment,...

• 1 comments

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods 4

Thursday November 13, 2025 11:35 am PST by Juli Clover

Apple today released new firmware designed for the AirPods Pro 3, the AirPods 4, and the prior-generation AirPods Pro 2. The AirPods Pro 3 firmware is 8B25, while the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 firmware is 8B21, all up from the prior 8A358 firmware released in October. There's no word on what's include in the updated firmware, but the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4 with ANC, and AirPods Pro 3...

• 73 comments

Apple Stops Signing iOS 9.2.1, Downgrading From iOS 9.3 No Longer Possible

Top Rated Comments

Popular Stories

Everything New in iOS 26.2 Beta 3

Apple Brings New AppleCare+ Options to India

iPhone Driver's License Feature Launching in Illinois

Apple Sports App on iPhone Now Available in More European Countries

Apple Releases New Firmware for 140W USB-C Power Adapter, Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad

iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 16 Wi-Fi Speeds: New Study Reveals the Winner

10 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 18 Pro

Best Black Friday Apple Deals Live Now - Save on AirPods, iPads, and Apple Watches

The Best Early Black Friday Mac Deals

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods 4

Next Article

Guides

Upcoming

Other Stories