Apple has stopped signing iOS 18.4, making it no longer possible to downgrade to this version of the mobile operating system. The Cupertino-based company typically stops signing older versions of iOS soon after releasing an update to ensure that iPhone users have the latest security improvements.
iOS 18.4 was released last week, introducing several Apple Intelligence features, including priority notifications and Visual Intelligence for iPhone 15 Pro models. The update also includes several bug fixes.
Why is Apple Stopping Signing Older Versions of iOS?
Apple typically stops signing older versions of iOS within one to two weeks after a new update is released. This is a standard practice that helps ensure iPhone users are not installing outdated software on their devices. It also allows Apple to keep a large number of users on the latest version of its operating system, which provides the best possible security. Although the older version of iOS is no longer available, the average user should not be concerned about this change. The most recent iOS version is a stable and reliable update that offers numerous improvements and fixes. The upcoming iOS 18.1 update is expected to introduce exciting new features, including the highly anticipated Apple Intelligence feature.
Apple regularly stops signing old versions of iOS to encourage users to upgrade to the latest version of the operating system. It also prevents nefarious actors from exploiting vulnerabilities that may have been discovered in the older code.
Downgrading to Older Versions of iOS is No Longer Possible. It’s essential to keep your device up to date, as security patches are frequently released to close vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit. This is one of the reasons Apple encourages users to upgrade to newer versions of iOS, which can be downloaded from their official website.
Unfortunately, the same update process also prevents iPhone users from downgrading to older versions of the OS. This is because once Apple stops signing a specific version of iOS, the old firmware can’t be installed on the phone, at least not without a jailbreak.
As of this writing, iOS 18.3.1 is the last version of iOS that Apple is still signing. This update, which was rolled out on March 11, offered a host of stability improvements and bug fixes for the company’s latest mobile software.
Apple typically closes the iOS version signing window within a week of releasing a new iOS update, ensuring that most iPhone and iPad users are running the latest software. The exception is when an update introduces a significant bug that affects the majority of users, which would justify keeping the update on the shelf for an extended period.
To install an older version of iOS on your iPhone, you must first put the device into recovery mode. To do so, power off the iPhone and connect it to a computer running iTunes. For Windows, click the Restore button in iTunes. For macOS, open Finder and select the iPhone icon in the top row of app icons.
Jailbreaking Is No Longer Possible
The main reason why fewer people jailbreak their iOS devices today is that Apple has incorporated many of the features that once required jailbreaking into its software. Apple now offers users a wide variety of customization tools that make it easy to install emoji, themes, custom status bars, and more. Additionally, the company’s new CarPlay system allows users to customize their home screen and switch to third-party keyboards.
Jailbreaking, however, has become significantly more difficult. Apple’s security improvements have caught up to the hacking community’s skills, and it has become commonplace for firmware updates to patch exploits that were used by jailbreaking tools. The company also offers bounties to security researchers, encouraging them to report bugs and vulnerabilities to Apple rather than disclosing them to the public.
Over time, this practice likely forced a large number of developers out of the jailbreaking industry. It prompted more users to avoid upgrading their iPhones to the latest software version to protect their devices’ security. As a result, jailbreak developers have taken much longer to research, develop, and release jailbreaks.
Although it is still possible to jailbreak many recent Apple devices, the process can be complex and requires scouring forums like Reddit’s r/jailbreak for the latest instructions. Moreover, jailbreaking can compromise device security by granting apps access to system files and functions that are usually restricted. Consequently, some Apple apps may stop working or behave oddly once the device is jailbroken.
The Bottom Line
Apple typically stops signing older versions of iOS within a week or two after releasing a new update, preventing iPhone users from downgrading to old versions. This is a standard practice to encourage iOS users to upgrade to the latest version and benefit from the new features and security fixes it brings. The latest version also helps protect against known attacks and vulnerabilities, making it crucial for everyone to keep their devices updated at all times.
Besides the addition of new emojis and Priority Notifications, iOS 18 introduced numerous bug fixes, performance enhancements, and additional security improvements. Ultimately, the most significant feature of this release is arguably its enhanced stability and reliability. Nevertheless, iOS 18 did face some substantial bugs and issues, prompting Apple to release the iOS 18.0.1 update quickly.
The iOS 18.0.1 update helped address several issues, and Apple soon stopped signing the older version just a week after its release. This is a typical practice that Apple follows after an update, and it should not affect the average user. However, for people trying to jailbreak their devices, the halt in iOS signing could pose a significant problem. This is because many jailbreak tools rely on specific exploits that are no longer working once the new version is released.
