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iOS 26.4 No Longer Signed by Apple, Blocking Downgrades From iOS 26.4.1

Apple today stopped signing iOS 26.4, so iPhone users who have updated to iOS 26.4.1 are no longer able to downgrade to the earlier version of iOS. iOS 26.4.1 came out a week ago.

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When software is "signed," it means it can pass the server-side verification check that Apple does when a user downloads a new version of iOS on an iPhone. An update that's not signed can't be installed because it won't pass the verification check.

Apple does not show users earlier versions of iOS after an upgrade has been released, but when software is still signed, it is possible to downgrade with the macOS Finder app on a Mac or the Apple Devices app on a Windows PC.

Unsigning software prevents Apple customers from installing outdated, less secure versions of iOS, and Apple typically stops signing an update a week or so after new software comes out.

iOS 26.4.1 fixed iCloud syncing issues and Stolen Device Protection on enterprise devices. While iOS 26.4.1 is the current publicly available version of iOS, Apple is also beta testing an iOS 26.5 update.

Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26
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Top Rated Comments

DocMultimedia Avatar
2 days ago at 04:35 pm
I'd like the button to downgrade to iOS 18. On my iphone and watch. I really think the watch bothers me even more at this point. But both are miserable.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Candlelight Avatar
2 days ago at 08:49 pm
I think I'm still running 17 on mine. None of the features in 18 work on my phone so never bothered to upgrade.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
micahtechdev Avatar
2 days ago at 06:47 pm

If they allowed downgrading - we'd all be on iOS 9
Who's we?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
2 days ago at 01:25 am
Happens always and was expected. I have not yet updated my devices. Will update soon.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)