Got a tip for us?Let us know

a. Send us an email
b. Anonymous form

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

Tuesday December 18, 2018 11:52 AM PST by Juli Clover

Following 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

92 months ago

I really wish Apple would get sued over this ****

Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Altis

92 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

92 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

92 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

92 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

92 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)

Read All Comments

Popular Stories

Verizon is Down: iPhones Show 'SOS' Mode Due to Network Outage [Resolved]

Wednesday January 14, 2026 10:18 am PST by Joe Rossignol

Verizon is experiencing a major outage across the U.S. today, with hundreds of thousands of customers reporting issues with the network on the website Downdetector. There are also complaints across Reddit and other social media platforms. iPhone users and others with Verizon service are generally unable to make phone calls, send text messages, or use data over 5G or LTE due to the outage....

• 143 comments

iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

New Leak Reveals iPhone 18 Pro Display Sizes, Under-Screen Face ID, and More

Wednesday January 14, 2026 7:09 am PST by Joe Rossignol

While the iPhone 18 Pro models are still around eight months away, a leaker has shared some alleged details about the devices. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo this week, the account Digital Chat Station said the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will have the same 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes as the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Consistent with previous...

• 64 comments

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features

Thursday January 15, 2026 10:56 am PST by Joe Rossignol

While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another eight months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models, as of January 2026: The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras Under-screen Face ID...

• 70 comments

Apple Adjusts Trade-In Values for iPhones, Macs, and More

Thursday January 15, 2026 11:19 am PST by Joe Rossignol

Apple today updated its trade-in values for select iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models. Trade-ins can be completed on Apple's website, or at an Apple Store. The charts below provide an overview of Apple's current and previous trade-in values in the United States, according to the company's website. Most of the values declined slightly, but some of the Mac values increased. iPhone ...

• 54 comments

Google Gemini-Powered Siri Will Reportedly Have These 7 New Features

Tuesday January 13, 2026 7:52 pm PST by Joe Rossignol

Apple and Google this week announced that Gemini will help power a more personalized Siri, and The Information has provided more details. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. As soon as this spring, the report said the revamped version of Siri will be able to… Answer more factual/world knowledge questions in a conversational manner Tell more stories Provide...

• 228 comments