Apple Stops Signing iOS 15.3 Following iOS 15.3.1 Release, Downgrading No Longer Possible

Following the release of iOS 15.3.1 on February 10, Apple has stopped signing iOS 15.3, the previously available version of iOS that came out in late January. Because iOS 15.3 is no longer being signed, it is not possible to downgrade to that version of iOS if you've updated to iOS 15.3.1.

ios 15
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 15.3 was a bug fix update that addressed a significant Safari bug that could leak browsing activity, while iOS 15.3.1 was another bug fix update further addressing WebKit vulnerabilities.

Popular Stories

apple store down feature

Here's Why the Apple Store is Going Down

Thursday November 27, 2025 1:01 pm PST by
Apple's online store is going down for a few hours on a rolling country-by-country basis right now, but do not get your hopes up for new products. Apple takes its online store down for a few hours ahead of Black Friday every year to tease/prepare for its annual gift card offer with the purchase of select products. The store already went down and came back online in Australia and New Zealand, ...
iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket is Now Completely Sold Out Worldwide

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:16 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. However, it is now completely sold out in all countries where it was released. iPhone Pocket became available to order on Apple's online store starting Friday, November 14, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, ...
streaming black friday 2025

Best Black Friday Streaming Deals - Save Big on Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, and More

Thursday November 27, 2025 1:14 pm PST by
We've been focusing on deals on physical products over the past few weeks, but Black Friday is also a great time of year to purchase a streaming membership. Some of the biggest services have great discounts for new and select returning members this week, including Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When...
New Intel Logo

Apple and Intel Rumored to Partner on Mac Chips Again in a New Way

Friday November 28, 2025 7:33 am PST by
While all Macs are now powered by Apple's custom-designed chips, a new rumor claims that Apple may rekindle its partnership with Intel, albeit in a new and limited way. Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said Intel is expected to begin shipping Apple's lowest-end M-series chip as early as mid-2027. Kuo said Apple plans to utilize Intel's 18A process, which is the "earliest...
Apple Foldable Thumb

Foldable iPhone to Debut These Three Breakthrough Features

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:09 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in fall 2026, and it's shaping up to include three standout features that could set it apart from the competition. The book-style foldable will reportedly feature an industry-first 24-megapixel under-display camera built into the inner display, according to a recent JP Morgan equity research report. That...
iphone air camera

iPhone Air Flop Sparks Industry Retreat From Ultra-Thin Phones

Thursday November 27, 2025 3:14 am PST by
Apple's disappointing iPhone Air sales are causing major Chinese mobile vendors to scrap or freeze their own ultra-thin phone projects, according to reports coming out of Asia. Since the ‌iPhone Air‌ launched in September, there have been reports of poor sales and manufacturing cuts, while Apple's supply chain has scaled back shipments and production. Apple supplier Foxconn has...
streaming black friday 2025

Black Friday Streaming Deals Include Big Savings on Disney+, Hulu, Apple TV, and More

Monday November 24, 2025 8:03 am PST by
We've been focusing on deals on physical products over the past few weeks, but Black Friday is also a great time of year to purchase a streaming membership. Some of the biggest services have great discounts for new and select returning members this week, including Disney+, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a...
iphone black friday gold

The Best Black Friday iPhone Deals Still Available

Friday November 28, 2025 6:24 am PST by
Cellular carriers have always offered big savings on the newest iPhone models during the holidays, and Black Friday 2025 sales have kicked off at AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and more. Right now we're tracking notable offers on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air. For even more savings, keep an eye on older models during the holiday shopping season. Note: MacRumors is...

Top Rated Comments

Thebrochure Avatar
49 months ago
This is one of those things that lawmakers should step up to the plate and end. You should always be allowed to go back to whatever iOS you want, as long as it's not older than the original version that came with your phone.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JosephAW Avatar
49 months ago
Apple should allow the ability to reinstall the original iOS version for each device and then the user can upgrade to each successive iOS major releases just like they allowed my iPhone 4S to reinstall iOS 6 and then iOS 8 and then iOS 9. I stopped at iOS 8.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BaltimoreMediaBlog Avatar
49 months ago

This is one of those things that lawmakers should step up to the plate and end. You should always be allowed to go back to whatever iOS you want, as long as it's not older than the original version that came with your phone.
I totally AGREE and the IOS 10 to 11 transition should have resulted in a Class Action lawsuit for deleting nearly a hundred apps from my iPhone 5s without my permission, and Apple shipping it back to me less functional after a battery repair that I paid for too when others got them for free. So for me it was a kick in the balls bigtime!

THIS SHOULD BE ILLEGAL!
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MysticCow Avatar
49 months ago
I despise the whole “no longer signing” garbage. If there’s an issue and you NEEEEEED to downgrade it, it isn’t possible. You’re just plain screwed.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Octavius8 Avatar
49 months ago
How about first fixing the Bluetooth issue on the cars?. (Disconnecting every few seconds after iOS 15.3).
Apple support suggest “car issue”, of course… 4 iPhone generations, no problem, iOS 15 on my 13Pro, no problem, iOS 15.3 dissaster!. Will Apple Pay me a new car now that they broke basic Bluetooth calling with a car????
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NMBob Avatar
49 months ago

I despise the whole “no longer signing” garbage. If there’s an issue and you NEEEEEED to downgrade it, it isn’t possible. You’re just plain screwed.
You would think if congress wanted to do something useful they would look into something like th....never mind.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)