Apple Stops Signing iOS 16.1.2 Following iOS 16.2 Launch

After the launch of iOS 16.2 on December 13, Apple has stopped signing iOS 16.1.2, the previously available version of iOS. With iOS 16.1.2 no longer being signed, it is no longer possible to downgrade to an earlier version of iOS after installing the iOS 16.2 update.

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, which means it is not unusual that the updates are no longer being signed.

iOS 16.1.2 was a minor update that added improved compatibility with wireless carriers and crash detection optimizations on iPhone 14 models.

The iOS 16.2 update that replaces it is the biggest update to iOS 16 we've seen yet, with Apple adding the Freeform app, support for Apple Music Sing, expanded iCloud encryption with Advanced Data Protection, and much more, with all of the changes outlined in our dedicated iOS 16.2 guide.

Related Forum: iOS 16

Popular Stories

AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods 4

Thursday November 13, 2025 11:35 am PST by
Apple today released new firmware designed for the AirPods Pro 3, the AirPods 4, and the prior-generation AirPods Pro 2. The AirPods Pro 3 firmware is 8B25, while the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 firmware is 8B21, all up from the prior 8A358 firmware released in October. There's no word on what's include in the updated firmware, but the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4 with ANC, and AirPods Pro 3...
CarPlay Pinned Messages

iOS 26.2 Adds New CarPlay Setting

Thursday November 13, 2025 6:48 am PST by
iOS 26 extended pinned conversations in the Messages app to CarPlay, for quick access to your most frequent chats. However, some drivers may prefer the classic view with a list of individual conversations only, and Apple now lets users choose. Apple released the second beta of iOS 26.2 this week, and it introduces a new CarPlay setting for turning off pinned conversations in the Messages...
Tesla Charging

Tesla Working to Add Apple CarPlay Support to Vehicles

Thursday November 13, 2025 8:31 am PST by
Tesla is working to add support for Apple CarPlay in its vehicles, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports. Tesla vehicles rely on its own infotainment software system, which integrates vehicle functions, navigation, music, web browsing, and more. The automaker has been an outlier in foregoing support for Apple CarPlay, which has otherwise become an industry standard feature, allowing users to...
tvOS 26 Profiles

tvOS 26.2 Adds a Useful New Feature to Your Apple TV

Friday November 14, 2025 10:02 am PST by
Starting with the upcoming tvOS 26.2 update, currently in beta, additional profiles created on the Apple TV no longer require their own Apple Account. In the Settings app on the Apple TV, under Profiles and Accounts, anyone can create a new profile by simply entering a name and indicating whether the profile is for a kid. The profile will be associated with the primary user's Apple Account,...
iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket Now Available to Order, But Already Selling Out

Friday November 14, 2025 6:20 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. iPhone Pocket is available to order on Apple's online store starting today, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. However, it is already completely sold out in the United...
homepod mini thumb feature

New HomePod Mini, Apple TV, and AirTag Were Expected This Year — Where Are They?

Wednesday November 12, 2025 11:42 am PST by
While it was rumored that Apple planned to release new versions of the HomePod mini, Apple TV, and AirTag this year, it is no longer clear if that will still happen. Back in January, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple planned to release new HomePod mini and Apple TV models "toward the end of the year," while he at one point expected a new AirTag to launch "around the middle of 2025." Yet,...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Available Next Month With These 8 New Features

Tuesday November 11, 2025 9:48 am PST by
Apple released the first iOS 26.2 beta last week. The upcoming update includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, including a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more. In a recent press release, Apple confirmed that iOS 26.2 will be released to all users in December, but it did not provide a specific release date....
m1 chip slide

Five Years of Apple Silicon: M1 to M5 Performance Comparison

Monday November 10, 2025 1:08 pm PST by
Today marks the fifth anniversary of the Apple silicon chip that replaced Intel chips in Apple's Mac lineup. The first Apple silicon chip, the M1, was unveiled on November 10, 2020. The M1 debuted in the MacBook Air, Mac mini, and 13-inch MacBook Pro. The M1 chip was impressive when it launched, featuring the "world's fastest CPU core" and industry-leading performance per watt, and it's only ...
walmart new ornametns

Walmart Black Friday Deals Begin Today With Low Prices on Headphones, TVs, and More

Friday November 14, 2025 7:55 am PST by
Walmart's Black Friday sale has officially kicked off today, with an online shopping event that's also seeing some matching deals in retail locations. There are quite a few major discounts in this sale, including savings on headphones, TVs, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Walmart. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us...
iOS 26

Everything New in iOS 26.2 Beta 2

Wednesday November 12, 2025 3:29 pm PST by
Apple today provided developers with the second beta of iOS 26.2, which adds a few new features worth knowing about. Measure App Apple's Measure app now features a Liquid Glass design for the level, with two Liquid Glass bubbles instead of white circles. Games App There's now an option to sort games in the Games app Library by size, in addition to Name and Recent. CarPlay The...

Top Rated Comments

TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
38 months ago
Loving iOS 16.2 so far. It's blazing fast, and well-responsive. I can't believe we're only 6 months away until we see iOS 17. Half way done :D
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
_Spinn_ Avatar
38 months ago
16.2 has been solid for me so far.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
segfaultdotorg Avatar
38 months ago
Apple stops signing iPhoneOS 16.2 following iPhoneOS 17 launch
-- Sent from September 2023
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DuckMe Avatar
38 months ago

Is iOS 15.7.2 still available for devices that are compatible with 16.2 though?

On my iPhone 8, I'm stuck with 15.7.1. I don't want to upgrade to 16.2 and Apple refuses to release 15.7.2 and its security updates to me. Complete crap on Apple's part! My iPhone 6s+, which I use as a backup, got the 15.7.2 release, so it's technically more secure than my newer phone. Rediculous!

15.7.2 isn’t showing up for me in software update, only 16.2. I’m on 15.7 and at least want the security fixes in 15.7.1…

Did they remove 15.7.2? I don't see that option on my 15.7.1 13 Pro :(
For those who want to update their iPhones to 15.7.2, you may have to read my guide:

[GUIDE] How to update to iOS 15.7.2 for iPhone 8/X/XR/Xs/11/12/13 ('https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/guide-how-to-update-to-ios-15-7-2-for-iphone-8-x-xr-xs-11-12-13.2373742/')


According to my calculations, you can still theoretically upgrade to iOS 15.7.2 before January 31, 2023, but you better hurry up because apple can prevent this upgrade in the next second.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zapmymac Avatar
38 months ago

So, is 16.2 good (stable) enough to update from 15.7.1?
Was thinking about waiting until 16.2.1 :)
Wait. my iPad and iPhone and tvOS are glitchy. However, the e2e option is what made me jump immediately. Gotta keep the g/f photos safe ???
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Realityck Avatar
38 months ago
Now you have iOS 15.7.2 and iOS 16.2 to choose from.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)