Apple Stops Signing iOS 16.3 Following iOS 16.3.1 Launch, Downgrading No Longer Possible

Following the launch of iOS 16.3.1 on February 13, Apple is no longer signing iOS 16.3, the previously available version of iOS. Now that Apple has stopped signing iOS 16.3, it is no longer possible to downgrade to that version of iOS after installing the iOS 16.3.1 update.

iOS 16
Apple routinely stops signing older versions of iOS 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 iOS 16.3 update is no longer being signed.

iOS 16.3 was a relatively minor update that introduced support for physical security keys for Apple IDs, expanded Advanced Data Protection globally, added support for the second-generation HomePod, and more.

While iOS 16.3.1 remains the current public version of iOS, Apple released the first beta of iOS 16.4 last week with support for new emoji characters, web push notifications, and more.

(Thanks, Aaron!)

Popular Stories

Beyond iPhone 13 Better Blue Face ID Single Camera Hole

10 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 17

Friday September 13, 2024 2:40 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models simultaneously, which is why we sometimes get rumored feature leaks so far ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different – already we have some idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup. If you plan to skip...
Generic iOS 18 Feature Real Mock

Apple Shares Full List of Over 250 New Features and Changes Coming With iOS 18

Wednesday September 11, 2024 7:16 am PDT by
Following its iPhone 16 event on Monday, Apple shared a PDF on its website with a list of all new features and changes coming with iOS 18. The list includes many features that were already announced, including Apple Intelligence, new customization options for the Home Screen and Control Center, a redesigned Photos app, several enhancements to the Messages app, a Passwords app, and more....
iphone 16 pro models 1

Skipping the iPhone 16 Pro? Here's What's Rumored for iPhone 17 Pro

Wednesday September 11, 2024 8:20 am PDT by
Will you be skipping the iPhone 16 Pro and waiting another year to upgrade? If so, we already have some iPhone 17 Pro rumors for you. Below, we recap key new features rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models so far: 24MP front camera for all iPhone 17 models: All four iPhone 17 models will feature an upgraded 24-megapixel front-facing camera, according to Apple supply chain analysts Ming-Chi...
iphone 16 pro colors 1

Here's When iPhone 16 Pre-Orders Begin in Every Time Zone

Thursday September 12, 2024 6:12 am PDT by
Pre-orders for the iPhone 16, ‌iPhone 16‌ Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max are set to begin on Friday, September 13 at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time, with the new devices set to become available in multiple countries around the world simultaneously. We've compiled pre-order times for various countries to help MacRumors readers be among the first to order. This list isn't...
iphone 16 pro apple intelligence

iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max Shipping Estimates Extending Into October

Friday September 13, 2024 5:48 am PDT by
Apple began accepting pre-orders for all four new iPhone 16 models today, and shipping estimates for the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max on Apple's online store in the U.S. are already beginning to slip into October for many configurations. As of 6:45 a.m. Pacific Time, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max were facing a 2-4 week shipping delay for some configurations on Apple's online store, with...
iphone 16 pro apple intelligence

Apple Intelligence Features Expected to Roll Out in This Order Between iOS 18.1 and iOS 18.4

Friday September 13, 2024 1:01 pm PDT by
iOS 18 will be released to the public on Monday, but the first Apple Intelligence features will not be available until iOS 18.1 is released in October. Apple Intelligence features will continue to roll out in iOS 18.2 and beyond, with the expected roadmap outlined below per Apple's website and rumors. Apple Intelligence requires an iPhone 15 Pro model or any iPhone 16 model, and it will...

Top Rated Comments

fromgophonetoiphone Avatar
21 months ago

Makes no sense since 16.3.1 is hot garbage
It's fine for millions of users.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fromgophonetoiphone Avatar
21 months ago

One death is a tragedy, one million deaths is a statistic.

If you're the one person affected by the bug introduced in the newest OS, the newest OS is hot garbage in your eyes.

I don't like how Apple refuses to allow downgrades, especially when their upgrade screws something up.
The issue is most people are horrendously bad at diagnosing complex issues. It's easy to blame 16.3.1 when it could be a whole host of issues. I worked on the Android ROM Development side of things and it was hilarious how people would blame bugs on nightly builds despite no commits in the past 48 hours. And then when there are commits, it's frequently translation updates only and all of a sudden you get battery posts about how the latest build makes a night and day difference.


* An update usually is accompanied by a reboot so all sorts of things can change even with a reboot (see this whole android ROM development scene story above... I suspect 99% of people seeing battery issues would see battery life change with a reboot whether or not they update their OS or not)
* 99% of blaming new builds never tries to revert to an older build to compare the difference. New York Times addresses this as confirmation bias ('https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/07/03/upshot/a-quick-puzzle-to-test-your-problem-solving.html') which is a huge problem in almost all problem solving. Everyone likes to claim how they can "reproduce the bug," which is fine, but if you claim to know what causes the bug the you in theory can also turn off that bug. Most people, even some of the brightest engineers probably at Apple are capable of showing what causes the bug, but since it takes time to run a new experiment to see how you can turn OFF the bug, most people skip that and assume they have a solution (see NYT problem)
* People facing bugs typically blame the wrong thing (update) when you can likely reproduce their issues on another build as well.

I'm not trying to diminish anyone's problems with their devices, but I do feel that "latest version bug bias" is a real placebo effect.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SFjohn Avatar
21 months ago
It was a security patch for an active vulnerability, it’s no wonder Apple has prevented reverting so soon! ??
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
21 months ago

That was quick, not even Apple wants people on 16.3 for a Kentucky minute!
At this point, I’m ready for iOS 17.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mousse Avatar
21 months ago

It's fine for millions of users.
One death is a tragedy, one million deaths is a statistic.

If you're the one person affected by the bug introduced in the newest OS, the newest OS is hot garbage in your eyes.

I don't like how Apple refuses to allow downgrades, especially when their upgrade screws something up.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
redbeard331 Avatar
21 months ago
That was quick, not even Apple wants people on 16.3 for a Kentucky minute!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)