Apple discontinues iOS 18.1.1: downgrading from iOS 18.2 is no longer possible

Apple has drawn the line under iOS 18.1.1. The Cupertino company recently announced that this version of the operating system would no longer be signed. This means for iPhone users that a downgrade to iOS 18.1.1 is no longer possible. This practice is not new, but is part of Apple's regular update cycle. The decision came about a week after the release of iOS 18.2 on December 11, 2024. The latest update brought many new features, including expanded “Apple Intelligence” features as well as improvements in image editing and camera controls. ChatGPT integration into Siri was also part of this update – at least in the US. Apple's strategy of no longer signing older versions of iOS mainly pursues security objectives. By limiting downgrade options, users are forced to equip their devices with the latest security patches. iOS 18.2 closes a loophole that allowed malicious apps to access private information.

For most users, the end of iOS 18.1.1 signing is not a problem. However, there are scenarios in which a downgrade can make sense. In the past, bugs would occasionally appear in new versions of iOS, forcing users to revert to a previous, more stable version. The restrictions are particularly visible to the jailbreaking community. Jailbreaking, that is, removing Apple's software restrictions, is made more difficult with each iOS update because security holes are closed. Some users prefer older versions of iOS to modify their iPhone according to their own ideas. However, there is still a glimmer of hope for those who want to revert to an older version for various reasons. A method called DelayOTA allows users to downgrade within 90 days of an update. However, this option is only available to advanced users and is not officially supported by Apple.