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Apple Stops Signing iOS 15.6 Following iOS 15.6.1 Release, Downgrading No Longer Possible

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Following the launch of iOS 15.6.1 last Wednesday, Apple has stopped signing iOS 15.6, the previously available version that came out in mid-July. Since iOS 15.6 is no longer being signed, it is not possible to downgrade to that version of iOS after installing iOS 15.6.1.

iOS 15
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 iOS 15.6 is no longer being signed.

iOS 15.6 was minor in scale, introducing an option to restart, pause, rewind, and fast-forward a live sports game that's in progress, plus it addressed an issue that could cause the Settings app to continue to display that device storage is full even when it's not.

Released on August 17, iOS 15.6.1 had no new feature additions, but it does include a critical security fix that addresses kernel and Webkit vulnerability that could lead to arbitrary code execution.

Related Forum: iOS 15

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Top Rated Comments

cmcbhi Avatar
cmcbhi
50 months ago

Once the EU Right To Repair to become officially active by law, it will force Apple to stop doing this and we will be able to freely downgrade.
I presume you can read.
"Released on August 17, iOS 15.6.1 ('https://www.macrumors.com/2022/08/17/apple-releases-ios-15-6-1/') had no new feature additions, but it does include a critical security fix that addresses kernel and Webkit vulnerability that could lead to arbitrary code execution."
Only an idiot would want to downgrade.
Oh.......wait.......
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
M
macachia
50 months ago

Once the EU Right To Repair to become officially active by law, it will force Apple to stop doing this and we will be able to freely downgrade.
I must have missed your point. Downgrading doesn’t feel a right to repair
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S
Stromos
50 months ago

If we take 15.6.1 as an example, it doesn't matter because it inherits the features that came with prior iOS releases, and in the future we will be able to downgrade.

So a device that came with e.g. 15.0 will be able to downgrade till 15.0 per law.
Like it or not, your personal opinion does not override the upcoming EU Right to Repair law that will become active 2023.

Let's see if Apple has "courage" and risk being fined as much as 10% of their annual worldwide turnover.
I hope so, I would LMAO.
Let’s make it a proper EU law then. If you downgrade and your phone is breached you are required to notify every entity that has any of their personal data on your device (photo, contact, text communications, email) and you will pay fines GDPR style while any notified member can ask for compensation for damages. GDPR has done this to the rest of world how about they hold their own people accountable who think they know cybersecurity.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Wildkraut Avatar
Wildkraut
50 months ago

I must have missed your point. Downgrading doesn’t feel a right to repair
Yep you missed it.

It's based on Apple Batterygate...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batterygate

...to allow customers go back to previous versions and set their smartphones back to a working state.

Page 4 number 10 of:
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2014_2019/plmrep/COMMITTEES/IMCO/DV/2022/03-16/MfR_RighttoRepair_EN.pdf


Highlights that goods with digital elements require specific attention; stresses in
particular that software updates have to be made available for a minimum period of time
in line with the Digital Content Directive; demands that consumers should be fully
informed on update availability at the time of purchase; adds that functionality updates
should be reversible and not lead to diminished performance of the device; notes that
practices, which unduly constrain the right to repair or lead to obsolescence could be
considered as unfair commercial practices and therefore be added to the Annex I of the
[B]Unfair Commercial Practices Directive;[/B]
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MrMacintoshIII Avatar
MrMacintoshIII
50 months ago
It’s about time we switch out our batteries anyway. My launch 13 mini is at 91% health. Not bad, but not great either, and it’s only about to get worse.

I now require two MagSafe battery packs throughout my day, as I found one to be barely insufficient for especially long and phone-heavy days, which was unacceptable.

Strongly considering a 14 Pro just for the battery life, but the mini size is to die for.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
1
1557750
50 months ago

Betas are never calibrated to be good on battery life until the very end..?

But yeah 16 is a huge change anyway. How could we expect all the new features on year old hardware with NO loss in battery life?

I’m struggling not to use more question marks here.
Oh yea, the switch is never easy, and it’ll get polished out for sure. I’m used to betas and not getting the performance I’m used to right off the bat.

Actually where I’m noticing the most drain is standby throughout the night. I’m dropping 5-6% in 7 hours, but usually it only budges 1%.

Not too worried about it. 😃
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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