IPSWFollowing the release of iOS 11.3.1 on April 24, Apple has stopped signing iOS 11.3, the previous version of iOS that was available to consumers.

iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch owners who have upgraded to iOS 11.3.1 will no longer be able to downgrade to earlier versions of iOS.

Apple routinely stops signing older versions of software updates after new releases come out in order to encourage customers to keep their operating systems up to date.

iOS 11.3.1 is now the only version of iOS 11 that can be installed on iOS devices by the general public, but developers and public beta testers can download iOS 11.4, an update that is currently being beta tested.

Top Rated Comments

MrGuder Avatar
100 months ago
It still makes no sense why Apple stops signing their own iOS especially when they still work perfectly on new and older devices. Let the customer choose which iOS they want to keep on their phone. If the iOS can be verified that it belongs to an apple approved device why don't they continue to sign their own updates and let the customer take the risk (which is really low of anything happening)

The reason is because they are always graphing and charting comparing how many are on the latest iOS compared to android when they stop signing prior iOS that's how they achieve those pie results.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
john123 Avatar
100 months ago
Your theory makes no sense because the number of users who would actively downgrade or otherwise choose to install an old version of iOS would make up such an infinitesimally small percentage of total users that it would have absolutely no effect on the overall stats at all. You need a very good reason to not use the latest iOS, and for most users, such a reason does not exist.

Additionally, you don't appear to understand how iOS signing and upgrades work. Customers can choose which iOS they want to keep on their phone. They just can't downgrade, or do a fresh install to an unsigned iOS.

Instead of coming up with wild conspiracy theories, you can try this newfangled tool called "Google" which lets you type in a question and receive answers. You will find that Google, combined with your question, will yield the exact reason why Apple stops signing older versions of iOS. Because, strangely enough, this topic has in fact been covered to death many times before.
It's not "infinitesimal." The number of people who choose to stick with iOS 10 is illustrative of this fact. And there are plenty of perfectly valid reasons why users may prefer not to update.

And the guy clearly did understand how signing and upgrades work. Things happen to devices that require a fresh install.

Lastly, he didn't ask a question, so I'm not sure what the point of your final paragraph was. In fact, he stated a hypothesis (and a somewhat reasonable one at that). It should be noted that his hypothesis is not mutually exclusive with benevolent reasons to stop signing older versions too.

Less snark, less condescension, and more reading next time, please.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jasonsmith_88 Avatar
100 months ago
It still makes no sense why Apple stops signing their own iOS especially when they still work perfectly on new and older devices. Let the customer choose which iOS they want to keep on their phone. If the iOS can be verified that it belongs to an apple approved device why don't they continue to sign their own updates and let the customer take the risk (which is really low of anything happening)

The reason is because they are always graphing and charting comparing how many are on the latest iOS compared to android when they stop signing prior iOS that's how they achieve those pie results.
Your theory makes no sense because the number of users who would actively downgrade or otherwise choose to install an old version of iOS would make up such an infinitesimally small percentage of total users that it would have absolutely no effect on the overall stats at all. You need a very good reason to not use the latest iOS, and for most users, such a reason does not exist.

Additionally, you don't appear to understand how iOS signing and upgrades work. Customers can choose which iOS they want to keep on their phone. They just can't downgrade, or do a fresh install to an unsigned iOS.

Instead of coming up with wild conspiracy theories, you can try this newfangled tool called "Google" which lets you type in a question and receive answers. You will find that Google, combined with your question, will yield the exact reason why Apple stops signing older versions of iOS. Because, strangely enough, this topic has in fact been covered to death many times before.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Tamagotchi Avatar
100 months ago
Your theory makes no sense because the number of users who would actively downgrade or otherwise choose to install an old version of iOS would make up such an infinitesimally small percentage of total users that it would have absolutely no effect on the overall stats at all. You need a very good reason to not use the latest iOS, and for most users, such a reason does not exist.

Additionally, you don't appear to understand how iOS signing and upgrades work. Customers can choose which iOS they want to keep on their phone. They just can't downgrade, or do a fresh install to an unsigned iOS.

Instead of coming up with wild conspiracy theories, you can try this newfangled tool called "Google" which lets you type in a question and receive answers. You will find that Google, combined with your question, will yield the exact reason why Apple stops signing older versions of iOS. Because, strangely enough, this topic has in fact been covered to death many times before.
What a condescending answer.. please get off the interner and take a walk to get some fresh air.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
now i see it Avatar
100 months ago
Who wants to wager it'll hit 11.4.1 before 12 drops?
(I sure hope it does- cuz it sure needs to)
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
belvdr Avatar
100 months ago
Your IT must be stone age if they can’t support the latest version by now.
The poster said IT forced him to upgrade if work email was to continue being pushed to the device. How is that not supporting the latest version?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iphone 17 models

No iPhone 18 Launch This Year, Reports Suggest

Thursday January 1, 2026 8:43 am PST by
Apple is not expected to release a standard iPhone 18 model this year, according to a growing number of reports that suggest the company is planning a significant change to its long-standing annual iPhone launch cycle. Despite the immense success of the iPhone 17 in 2025, the iPhone 18 is not expected to arrive until the spring of 2027, leaving the iPhone 17 in the lineup as the latest...
duolingo ad live activity

Duolingo Used iPhone's Dynamic Island to Display Ads, Violating Apple Design Guidelines

Friday January 2, 2026 1:36 pm PST by
Language learning app Duolingo has apparently been using the iPhone's Live Activity feature to display ads on the Lock Screen and the Dynamic Island, which violates Apple's design guidelines. According to multiple reports on Reddit, the Duolingo app has been displaying an ad for a "Super offer," which is Duolingo's paid subscription option. Apple's guidelines for Live Activity state that...
Clicks Communicator Feature

'Clicks Communicator' Unveiled — Will You Carry This With Your iPhone?

Friday January 2, 2026 6:35 am PST by
The company behind the BlackBerry-like Clicks Keyboard accessory for the iPhone today unveiled a new Android 16 smartphone called the Clicks Communicator. The purpose-built device is designed to be used as a second phone alongside your iPhone, with the intended focus being communication over content consumption. It runs a custom Android launcher that offers a curated selection of messaging...
apple intelligence black

Report: Apple's AI Strategy Could Finally Pay Off in 2026

Tuesday December 30, 2025 9:01 am PST by
Apple's restrained artificial intelligence strategy may pay off in 2026 amid the arrival of a revamped Siri and concerns around the AI market "bubble" bursting, The Information argues. The speculative report notes that Apple has taken a restrained approach with AI innovations compared with peers such as OpenAI, Google, and Meta, which are investing hundreds of billions of dollars in data...
Low Cost MacBook Feature A18 Pro

Low-Price 12.9-Inch MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Reportedly Launching Early This Year

Friday January 2, 2026 9:08 am PST by
Apple plans to introduce a 12.9-inch MacBook in spring 2026, according to TrendForce. In a press release this week, the Taiwanese research firm said this MacBook will be aimed at the entry-level to mid-range market, with "competitive pricing." TrendForce did not share any further details about this MacBook, but the information that it shared lines up with several rumors about a more...
apple fitness 2026 1

Apple Teases 'Something Big' Coming Soon to Apple Fitness+

Tuesday December 30, 2025 2:11 pm PST by
The Apple Fitness+ Instagram account today teased that the service has "big plans" for 2026. In a video, several Apple Fitness+ trainers are shown holding up newspapers with headlines related to Apple Fitness+. What's Apple Fitness+ Planning for the New Year? Something Big is Coming to Apple Fitness+ The Countdown Begins. Apple Fitness+ 2026 is Almost Here 2026 Plans Still Under ...
Apple Fitness Plus hero

Apple Announces New Fitness+ Workout Programs, Strava Challenge, and More

Friday January 2, 2026 6:43 am PST by
Apple today announced a number of updates to Apple Fitness+ and activity with the Apple Watch. The key announcements include: New Year limited-edition award: Users can win the award by closing all three Activity Rings for seven days in a row in January. "Quit Quitting" Strava challenge: Available in Strava throughout January, users who log 12 workouts anytime in the month will win an ...
Mac Pro Feature Blue

What's Happening With the Mac Pro?

Wednesday December 31, 2025 9:59 am PST by
Apple hasn't updated the Mac Pro since 2023, and according to recent rumors, there's no update coming in the near future. In fact, Apple might be finished with the Mac Pro. Bloomberg recently said that the Mac Pro is "on the back burner" and has been "largely written off" by Apple. Apple apparently views the more compact Mac Studio as the ideal high-end pro-level desktop, and it has almost...