Apple Stops Signing iOS 11.3.1 Following iOS 11.4 Release - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Stops Signing iOS 11.3.1 Following iOS 11.4 Release

by

IPSWFollowing the release of iOS 11.4 on May 29, Apple has stopped signing iOS 11.3.1, the previous version of iOS that was available to consumers.

iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch owners who have upgraded to iOS 11.4 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 11.4 is now the only version of iOS 11 that can be installed on iOS devices by the general public, but developers can download iOS 12, the next-generation version of iOS that's in beta testing ahead of a fall release.

Top Rated Comments

104 months ago
How dare they allow people to go back to security threat prone versions of their software when those folks generally have no reason to do so?!
Perhaps people are having issues with the new updated version and giving a choice to go back would be a life saver for them? Oh I forgot it's Apple... choices... :rolleyes:
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
OldSchoolMacGuy Avatar
104 months ago
I hate that they do this.
How dare they allow people to go back to security threat prone versions of their software when those folks generally have no reason to do so?!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
witherwings Avatar
104 months ago
Funny that they stoped signing 11.3.1 the same time after jailbreak for that version was released :rolleyes:
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
104 months ago
So they should leave a security risk there for the 0.000000001% of users, potentially opening more problems by leaving those gates open? Got it.
That would be pretty much the percentage of the users who would even know about something like downgrading in general or more specifically would even bother try to figure out how to do it in iOS, let alone actually go through with it. Leaving it signed would more than likely be a effectively moot as far as it causing any realistic issues.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
104 months ago
unless ios 12 screwsthepooch, the sooner everyone can put iOS 11 behind them the better.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ThunderSkunk Avatar
104 months ago
So they should leave a security risk there for the 0.000000001% of users, potentially opening more problems by leaving those gates open? Got it.
The same way they have no problem leaving hundreds of millions of macs exposed to security threats when they decide to quit allowing new OS's & software updates to be installed on them.

"Security" is not an argument, its a half baked excuse, & does not justify removing peoples ability to undo damage that upgrades may cause to their devices performance or functionality. It's unethical.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Four iPhone 18 Pro Colors Mock Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 10 New Features

Tuesday May 26, 2026 6:32 am PDT by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not launching until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. It was initially reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would have fully under-screen Face ID, with only a front camera visible in the top-left corner of the screen. However, the latest rumors indicate that only one Face ID component will be moved under the...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Just Expanded iPhone Driver's License Feature to Arkansas

Wednesday May 27, 2026 9:41 am PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Starting today, the feature is available in Arkansas, which is the 14th state to offer it. However, it may take some time to roll out to all users. To...
Apple Watch Blood Glucose Monitoring Feature 2

Apple Watch for Diabetes: The Latest on Apple's Plans for Non-Invasive Blood Sugar Monitoring

Tuesday May 26, 2026 9:30 am PDT by
For many years now, it has been rumored that the Apple Watch will eventually gain non-invasive blood sugar monitoring capabilities, which would enable millions of people with diabetes to track their blood glucose levels without needing to prick their skin with a needle or wear a dedicated continuous glucose monitor. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple recently shifted oversight of...