Apple Stops Signing iOS 16.1 and iOS 16.1.1 Following iOS 16.1.2 Launch

Following the launch of iOS 16.1.2 on November 30, Apple has stopped signing iOS 16.1.1 and iOS 16.1, two previously available versions of iOS.. With iOS 16.1 and iOS 16.1.1 no longer being signed, it is not possible to downgrade to those versions of iOS after upgrading to iOS 16.1.2.

iOS 16
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, so it is not unusual that the updates are no longer being signed.

iOS 16.1 was a major update that added support for iCloud Photo Library and Live Activities, while iOS 16.1.1 was a bug fix update.

iOS 16.1.2 will soon be replaced with iOS 16.2, a major update that is in testing and should launch next week. iOS 16.2 will introduce Advanced Data Protection for iCloud, the Freeform app, Apple Music Sing, and other new features.

Related Roundups: iOS 16, iPadOS 16
Related Forum: iOS 16

Top Rated Comments

vertsix Avatar
11 months ago
Don't tell anyone - but iOS 15.6 RC1 is still signed and you can downgrade iOS 16 down to it.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
russell_314 Avatar
11 months ago

Don't tell anyone - but iOS 15.6 RC1 is still signed and you can downgrade iOS 16 down to it.
It would be nice if I could do that on my iPhone 14 Pro Max

iOS 16 is almost stable, so not a big deal anymore ?‍♂️
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
trusso Avatar
11 months ago
There's no technical reason why Apple can't continue to sign older versions of iOS. As much as I understand Apple's desire to push everyone into the current release(s), it really bugs me that they don't trust their users and let them do what they wish with their own devices.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
trusso Avatar
11 months ago

Seems the solution would then be to simply not update to 16.1.2. And live with the potential adverse security/privacy consequences that could come your way.

Easy.
Well aren't we smart?

I'm on 16.1.2, thank you, although there have been times in the past when I held off upgrading major versions because doing so would break compatibility between my older devices or computers. And I've since upgraded those as well, although that's beside the point.

What I'm saying - if you traced back to my original post - is that Apple shouldn't force its users to cross a Rubicon they cannot retreat from. It's silly and selfish. Yes, most people will choose the newest updates and stay there, but for the few who can't - or who do but decide it's not for them (or realize it breaks compatibility with something) - they should have the option to downgrade to essentially any software version made since their device shipped (as you can on the Mac). There's no technical law of the universe that forbids this - it's merely Apple forcing decisions upon users and the devices they own.

You don't have to agree with me, but hopefully you can understand what I'm saying instead of making snarky replies that misunderstand and misrepresent my point.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thadoggfather Avatar
11 months ago

Is this iPhoneOS or iPadOS?
Both
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BaltimoreMediaBlog Avatar
11 months ago
THIS IS THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT I'D REALLY WANT TO SEE HAPPEN!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Apple WWDC23 macOS Sonoma hero

macOS Sonoma Launching This Week With These New Features

Sunday September 24, 2023 12:45 pm PDT by
Apple previously announced that macOS Sonoma will be released this Tuesday, September 26. The free software update includes many new features and changes for the Mac, including the five that we have highlighted below. In addition to these five features, we have shared the full release notes for macOS Sonoma below for a complete overview of everything new. Desktop Widgets macOS Sonoma...
iPhone 16 Mock Header With Dynamic Island

Skipping the iPhone 15 Pro? Here's What's Rumored for iPhone 16 Pro

Friday September 22, 2023 9:29 am PDT by
Are you skipping the iPhone 15 Pro and waiting another year to upgrade? If so, we already have some iPhone 16 Pro rumors for you. Below, we recap new features rumored for the iPhone 16 Pro models so far:Larger displays: The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be equipped with larger 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, respectively, according to Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain...
iPhone 16 Side Feature

iPhone 16 to Include an Additional Capacitive 'Capture' Button

Monday September 25, 2023 12:50 pm PDT by
The iPhone 16 series is expected to gain an additional capacitive button, known internally as the "Capture Button." Codenamed "Project Nova," the button is likely to be one of the main selling points of the iPhone 16 lineup, assuming it gets past the initial testing phase. The Capture Button is located on the same side as the Power button, only positioned slightly lower - where the mmWave cutout...
ipad mini blue

Apple to Launch iPad Mini 7 Later This Year, Industry Report Suggests

Monday September 25, 2023 3:16 am PDT by
Apple could be preparing to release a seventh-generation iPad mini before the end of the year, based on a new report by DigiTimes. In an article discussing stagnating global tablet demand in the second half of 2023, the Taiwan-based outlet forecasts an uptick in Apple's share of the market owing to orders for a "small-size" iPad in the fourth quarter. From the report (see bold): In the...