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Apple Stops Signing iOS 18.2, Preventing Downgrading

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Apple today stopped signing iOS 18.2, which means that iPhone users who have upgraded to iOS 18.2.1 can no longer downgrade to iOS 18.2. Apple released iOS 18.2.1 earlier in January.

Generic iOS 18
When new versions of iOS are released, Apple typically stops signing the prior version after a week or two. An update that is not signed is not able to be installed on an iPhone because there is a server-side software verification check.

By preventing downgrading to older versions of iOS, Apple ensures that users keep their devices up to date with the newest security improvements.

Apple's iOS 18.2.1 update included unspecified bug fixes, while the now-unsigned iOS 18.2 update that came out in December added Apple Intelligence features like Image Playground, Siri ChatGPT integration, and Genmoji.

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Top Rated Comments

klky Avatar
klky
15 months ago
I still haven't upgraded from 17.7 given the number of complaints people seem to have with iOS18 particularly the Photos App.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Chungry Avatar
Chungry
15 months ago

Why would you want to, anyway?
When a point release of iOS 18 broke yubikey functionality I was locked out of my passwords and iCloud briefly. And because Apple stopped signing the previous version before I figured all this out it created a huge pain in my butt. And that's why I got rid of my personal 16 PM and got an S24 Ultra. I can't have some update flippantly borking my security. I still have my Macs, a work 16 PM and iPads. But this ruined it for my daily driver.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
R
ResolutionNZ
15 months ago

I still haven't upgraded from 17.7 given the number of complaints people seem to have with iOS18 particularly the Photos App.
iOS 18 runs ok on iPhone 13 with an A15 bionic, but is pretty slow on an SE 2020 with an A13 chip. I'd stick with 17.7 on older devices as there aren't that many advantages.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
winxmac Avatar
winxmac
15 months ago
iOS 18 is still unpolished, and I don't care about Apple Intelligence. I am currently using an iPhone 11 Pro Max and even if I have an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, I still won't use it.

I am still on iOS 17.7 because of the Photos app and other changes introduced since iOS 18.0 but articles like this are a good reminder when a certain version can no longer be used for upgrade/downgrade.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
P
Polinsky
15 months ago

I still haven't upgraded from 17.7 given the number of complaints people seem to have with iOS18 particularly the Photos App.
The key words being "complaints people seem to have". OS 18 works very well for me. And I much prefer the new Photos app over the previous versions.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
I7guy Avatar
I7guy
15 months ago

When a point release of iOS 18 broke yubikey functionality I was locked out of my passwords and iCloud briefly. And because Apple stopped signing the previous version before I figured all this out it created a huge pain in my butt. And that's why I got rid of my personal 16 PM and got an S24 Ultra. I can't have some update flippantly borking my security. I still have my Macs, a work 16 PM and iPads. But this ruined it for my daily driver.
Usually you know almost immediate if important functions somehow get broken. Apple usually gives it a few weeks so something like a yubikey I think would be noticed almost immediately?

Anyway have fun with your s24.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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