Apple Stops Signing iOS 12.1 Following Release of iOS 12.1.1 and iOS 12.1.2 - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Stops Signing iOS 12.1 Following Release of iOS 12.1.1 and iOS 12.1.2

by

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
100 months ago
I really wish Apple would get sued over this ****
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
100 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)
Yebubbleman Avatar
100 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)
mthomas184 Avatar
100 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)
100 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)
zorinlynx Avatar
100 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)

Popular Stories

iPhone 18 Pro Rumored Colors

What's Coming in September: New iPhones, Apple Watches and More

Thursday August 13, 2026 4:20 pm PDT by
Apple will introduce at least five new devices at its iPhone-centric event next month, and it's also possible we'll get devices waiting on Siri AI like the Apple TV. iPhone 18 Pro The iPhone 18 Pro is going to look like the iPhone 17 Pro, but with a smaller Dynamic Island. It's getting some internal updates, including a new Wide camera with a variable aperture for more control over lighting ...
Everything New Your iPhone Can Do on iOS 27 Feature 1

30 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 27

Friday August 14, 2026 6:24 am PDT by
Apple will release iOS 27 in September, and despite the company's focus this year on refining its flagship operating system and nixing bugs, there are still many additional features on the way, not least of which is Apple's new context-aware Siri, re-tooled for the generative AI era. This year's major iPhone software update isn't all about AI, though, as the following feature list...
iPhone 17 One Year Later Thumb 1

Should You Buy an iPhone 17 Now or Wait for iPhone 18?

Friday August 14, 2026 12:15 pm PDT by
For the first time since Apple started selling standard and "Pro" iPhones, we're not going to get an entry-level iPhone model this fall. Apple doesn't plan to release an iPhone 18 in September, and will only launch the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and foldable iPhone Ultra. The lower-cost iPhone 18 won't come out until spring 2027. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more ...