Looking to downgrade iOS 16 GM to iOS 15 / iOS 15.6.1 on your iPhone? We have a complete tutorial for it.
Don't Like iOS 16 GM? Downgrade Back to iOS 15.6.1 / iOS 15 While You Still Can
Apple has released the RC build of iOS 16 to developers and public beta testers. If you are one of many testing out the software and believe iOS 16 is simply not ready for use for you, then you have the choice to downgrade back to iOS 15, or more precisely, iOS 15.6.1.
Before you do anything at all, please make sure that you have backed up everything to a safe place. You can either use iCloud, iTunes, or Finder. As long as there's a complete backup of your iPhone, you're good to go. Also, take as much time as possible to back up your device - it is extremely important.
Next up, disable Find My on your iPhone. Launch the Settings app, tap on your Apple ID at the top, then tap on Find My and then go to Find My iPhone. Disable the feature and enter your Apple ID password when required.
Download the right iOS 15.6.1 IPSW file for your iPhone and save it to your desktop:
- iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13
- iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XS
- iPhone 11, iPhone XR
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8, iPhone 7
- iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7 Plus
- iPhone SE 3
- iPhone SE 2
- iPhone SE
- iPhone 6s
- iPhone 6s Plus
At this point, assuming you've done everything correctly, connect your iPhone to your PC or Mac using a Lightning cable. Launch Finder or iTunes once the device has been connected and detected by your computer.
Select your device from the left-hand corner to reveal more options. You will now see a Restore iPhone button in the center, simply click on it while holding down the left Shift (Windows) or Option (Mac) key. Select the iOS 15.6.1 IPSW file you saved to your desktop.
Once the file has been selected and opened, Finder / iTunes will verify the contents and restore it onto your device. Remember one thing - iOS 15.6.1 is being signed by Apple at the time of writing. Once the signing window is closed, you won't be able to downgrade later.
About the author: Uzair has been writing about tech for a little under 10 years. Started off in the Symbian days, migrated to Android, eventually settling on iOS and Mac to make a living. Loves photography, drones, talking about the latest tech, and firmly believes that iPad is the future of computing. Served as Editor-in-Chief with Redmond Pie for five years, author at The Readers Eye and many other freelance gigs. Wccftech is now his current home.
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