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Apple Stops Signing iOS 17.2, Downgrading No Longer Possible

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Apple last night stopped signing the iOS 17.2 update, preventing iPhone users from downgrading to that version of iOS going forward. iOS 17.2 is no longer being signed following the December 19 release of iOS 17.2.1, an update that brought bug fixes.

iOS 17
It is not unusual that iOS 17.2 is no longer being signed. Apple routinely stops signing older versions of iOS after new releases in order to encourage customers to keep their operating systems up to date and to prevent users from downgrading to older, less secure versions of the iPhone operating system.

The iOS 17.2 update brought the Journal app, spatial video recording on the iPhone 15 Pro models, updates to Messages and Apple Music, and more. Apple did not ever provide details on the bug fixes included in iOS 17.2.1.

Apple is already testing iOS 17.3, an update that is expected to come out later in January.

Top Rated Comments

I7guy Avatar
I7guy
29 months ago
Totally predictable move. Waiting for iOS 17.3.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
C
CarAnalogy
29 months ago

Not complaining, big fan, but if you're going to post this article template every time this happens, maybe the verbiage could include an explanation of what "signing" actually is?
They do state what it does. It’s just a word that needs to be learned like any other. It’s easily looked up. The people who care know what it means.

The details are complicated but the idea is simple. Basically iOS asks Apple every time an update is to be installed whether the update’s signature is valid. A signature is part of public key cryptography, a way to verify that the code you have is the same code the vendor sent you.

When Apple stops signing a version, it means that when iOS asks, Apple says no. So iOS does not allow the update to be installed.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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CarAnalogy
29 months ago
Since we’re posting about this, I’ll post again saying I sure do wish they would make point releases of the latest patch level of the last major versions available to older devices which choose not to upgrade even though they are technically eligible.

Like Windows does. Just stating facts.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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