Apple Stops Signing iOS 18.5

Apple is no longer signing iOS 18.5, which means iPhone users who have upgraded to iOS 18.6 can no longer downgrade to the prior version of iOS. iOS 18.6 was released a little over a week ago.

iOS 18
"Signing" is a server-side verification check that Apple does when a new version of iOS is downloaded on an ‌iPhone‌. An update can't be downloaded and installed unless it passes the verification check, and the unsigning process prevents customers from installing outdated versions of iOS that are less secure.

Apple usually stops signing older software about a week after releasing an update, and doing so ensures that customers have the latest security improvements and are not vulnerable to known attacks.

iOS 18.6 was focused on security updates, and it addressed more than 20 vulnerabilities.

Popular Stories

iphone 17 models

No iPhone 18 Launch This Year, Reports Suggest

Thursday January 1, 2026 8:43 am PST by
Apple is not expected to release a standard iPhone 18 model this year, according to a growing number of reports that suggest the company is planning a significant change to its long-standing annual iPhone launch cycle. Despite the immense success of the iPhone 17 in 2025, the iPhone 18 is not expected to arrive until the spring of 2027, leaving the iPhone 17 in the lineup as the latest...
duolingo ad live activity

Duolingo Used iPhone's Dynamic Island to Display Ads, Violating Apple Design Guidelines

Friday January 2, 2026 1:36 pm PST by
Language learning app Duolingo has apparently been using the iPhone's Live Activity feature to display ads on the Lock Screen and the Dynamic Island, which violates Apple's design guidelines. According to multiple reports on Reddit, the Duolingo app has been displaying an ad for a "Super offer," which is Duolingo's paid subscription option. Apple's guidelines for Live Activity state that...
Clicks Communicator Feature

'Clicks Communicator' Unveiled — Will You Carry This With Your iPhone?

Friday January 2, 2026 6:35 am PST by
The company behind the BlackBerry-like Clicks Keyboard accessory for the iPhone today unveiled a new Android 16 smartphone called the Clicks Communicator. The purpose-built device is designed to be used as a second phone alongside your iPhone, with the intended focus being communication over content consumption. It runs a custom Android launcher that offers a curated selection of messaging...
Low Cost MacBook Feature A18 Pro

Low-Price 12.9-Inch MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Reportedly Launching Early This Year

Friday January 2, 2026 9:08 am PST by
Apple plans to introduce a 12.9-inch MacBook in spring 2026, according to TrendForce. In a press release this week, the Taiwanese research firm said this MacBook will be aimed at the entry-level to mid-range market, with "competitive pricing." TrendForce did not share any further details about this MacBook, but the information that it shared lines up with several rumors about a more...
Low Cost A18 Pro MacBook Feature Pink

Apple's 2026 Low-Cost A18 Pro MacBook: What We Know So Far

Friday January 2, 2026 4:33 pm PST by
Apple is planning to release a low-cost MacBook in 2026, which will apparently compete with more affordable Chromebooks and Windows PCs. Apple's most affordable Mac right now is the $999 MacBook Air, and the upcoming low-cost MacBook is expected to be cheaper. Here's what we know about the low-cost MacBook so far. Size Rumors suggest the low-cost MacBook will have a display that's around 13 ...
Apple Fitness Plus hero

Apple Announces New Fitness+ Workout Programs, Strava Challenge, and More

Friday January 2, 2026 6:43 am PST by
Apple today announced a number of updates to Apple Fitness+ and activity with the Apple Watch. The key announcements include: New Year limited-edition award: Users can win the award by closing all three Activity Rings for seven days in a row in January. "Quit Quitting" Strava challenge: Available in Strava throughout January, users who log 12 workouts anytime in the month will win an ...
Mac Pro Feature Blue

What's Happening With the Mac Pro?

Wednesday December 31, 2025 9:59 am PST by
Apple hasn't updated the Mac Pro since 2023, and according to recent rumors, there's no update coming in the near future. In fact, Apple might be finished with the Mac Pro. Bloomberg recently said that the Mac Pro is "on the back burner" and has been "largely written off" by Apple. Apple apparently views the more compact Mac Studio as the ideal high-end pro-level desktop, and it has almost...

Top Rated Comments

AusMness Avatar
22 weeks ago
Glad to hear. No one should still be on 18.5
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Skyscraperfan Avatar
22 weeks ago

You can chose to never update if that’s what you want.
So Apple punishes you for updating by denying you the chance to return to the old version?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
segfaultdotorg Avatar
22 weeks ago
Sad to see all those iOS 18.5 devices headed for the landfill.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Skyscraperfan Avatar
22 weeks ago
The same problem as with windows. They often to updates for "security", but also change so many not security related things at the same time. That's why I never update windows unless it is really necessary for new hardware. What if somebody does not want liquid glass or all that AI stuff for example? There should always be the option to downgrade down to the version that was installed when you bought the iPhone with your hard earned money. It does not matter if that is a wise decision. People should have the freedom to make unwise decisions.

Apple is not trustworthy when it comes to updates. In the past several updates have slowed down old devices or reduced battery life. That might have been an intentional move to make people buy a new device. That is a very shady business practice. One week is a very short time. Many people do not want to be early adopters and instead wait a few weeks to see if the new version works well for others.

Apple should at least chance its policy and allow every customer to revert an update within four weeks after he has installed it.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
chrisone Avatar
22 weeks ago

There should always be the option to downgrade down to the version that was installed when you bought the iPhone with your hard earned money. It does not matter if that is a wise decision. People should have the freedom to make unwise decisions.


You can chose to never update if that’s what you want.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mr.steevo Avatar
22 weeks ago
My grandkids used to ask me what it was like to use 18.5.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)