IPSWFollowing the release of iOS 12.1.1 on December 5 and iOS 12.1.2 on December 17, Apple has stopped signing iOS 12.1, the previous version of iOS that was available to consumers.

iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch owners who have upgraded to iOS 12.1.1 or 12.1.2 will no longer be able to downgrade to iOS 12.1.

iOS 12.1.1, available for all iOS devices, introduced expanded eSIM support, a redesigned FaceTime interface, and Haptic Touch for notifications on the iPhone XR, among other features. iOS 12.1.2, available only for the iPhone, introduces eSIM bug fixes and may include software tweaks in China to remove patented Qualcomm functionality.

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 12.1.1 and iOS 12.1.2 are now the only versions of iOS that can be installed on iPhones and iPads.

Top Rated Comments

Naraxus Avatar
93 months ago
I really wish Apple would get sued over this ****
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Altis Avatar
93 months ago
If you want the freedom to put whatever software you want on your phone, move to Android. It’s pretty simple.
It isn't "whatever software you want", just previous versions of Apple's OS, back to the version it shipped with.

The way Apple does it is very anti-consumer but works in their favor.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mthomas184 Avatar
93 months ago
I really wish Apple would get sued over this ****
If you want the freedom to put whatever software you want on your phone, move to Android. It’s pretty simple.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Yebubbleman Avatar
93 months ago
I really wish Apple would get sued over this ****
I'm surprised they haven't gotten sued over the icon of their .ipsw files being that of a Lego.

(But yes, the inability to control what OS your device can have installed does seem to be something that ought to be outlawed.)
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zorinlynx Avatar
93 months ago
Apple has been pretty generous with signing windows. I think they recognize people may want to go back if they have issues with the new version.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BoneHead001 Avatar
93 months ago
Versions check apple's servers to make sure apple
Allows it. If it's not signed having the firmware is useless.
Thank you. I had no idea.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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