The launch of iOS 26 has not been as smooth as many iPhone users had hoped for. While the update does bring a fresh new Liquid Glass redesign, the experience has met with some underlying bugs and issues. We have recently reported the massive battery drain issues along with WiFi issues, and it is only natural for you to think about downgrading from iOS 26 to iOS 18.7.
Apple has closed the downgrade path for iOS 18.6.2, leaving iPhone users questioning the possibility of iOS 18.7
Apple has complete control over when users can downgrade to the previous version of iOS, and typically the company does give users ample time to decide. Apple continues to sign an older version of an update for a week after the new version has been released to the public. However, when Apple stops signing an iOS build, it becomes digitally impossible for users to downgrade from a new software version to the older version.
After releasing iOS 26 to the public, Apple continued to sign the iOS 18.6.2 update for a week. This allowed iPhone users running iOS 26 to downgrade to iOS 18.6.2 if they were facing major performance and thermal issues on their device. iOS 18.6.2 was a safety net for users, but it did not last long, as the company has stopped signing the update, which means that you can no longer downgrade to it.
On the flip side, the company also released the iOS 18.7 update to the public, and you must be wondering if it is still being signed to downgrade to it. Well, iOS 18.7 may still be technically signed for some devices, but for anyone already on iOS 26, there is no real way to downgrade to it. This is because to downgrade, you are required to have two things:
- A signed version of iOS that Apple’s servers are still authorizing.
- A matching IPSW firmware file that can actually be installed on your device.
With that said, Apple did not release an iOS 18.7 IPSW file that works as a direct downgrade target for devices running iOS 26. This means that there is no usable firmware file for iPhones that have already upgraded to the Liquid Glass redesign.
All in all, if your iPhone is running iOS 26, it is impossible for you to downgrade to an older firmware. Apple has already released iOS 26.1 beta 1 to developers, and it will be released to the public, possibly in October, with all the necessary bug fixes and performance enhancements.
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
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