No, you generally cannot easily downgrade from iOS 16 back to iOS 15 because Apple stops signing older iOS versions, meaning iTunes/Finder will only install the latest compatible iOS, not iOS 15, unless you're on a very old device (iPhone 8/X and older) and use specific jailbreak methods or saved SHSH blobs (which isn't reliable for most). If you have an iPhone 8 or older, you might have had a chance during the iOS 16 beta, but now it's largely blocked, and any iOS 16 backup won't work on iOS 15.
Restore your iPhone to downgrade from iOS 16 beta to iOS 15
Once you're in recovery mode, your computer will ask whether you want to update or restore your device. Select Restore. If you're not prompted to restore, you may need to open Finder on a Mac or iTunes on Windows to select your device and then click Restore.
It's impossible to directly uninstall iOS 16. If you regret to upgrade iOS 16, you only can downgrade iOS 16 to 15 through the iTunes or the third party tools like Tenorshare ReiBoot.
But if you upgrade to the new iOS® then realize you prefer the previous version, you may wonder, can you go back to an older version of iOS? The answer is yes, but the downgrade process is complicated, with multiple steps, strict parameters, and potential pitfalls.
If you can't install the latest version of iOS or iPadOS on your iPhone or iPad. You might be unable to update your iPhone or iPad wirelessly, or over the air, for one of these reasons: Your device doesn't support the latest software. There isn't enough available storage space on your device.
Go to the Settings app on your iPhone. Tap General, tap Software Update, then tap Automatic Updates. Turn on one of the following: Automatically Install: When an update is available, iPhone downloads and installs it overnight while charging and connected to Wi-Fi.
When an iPhone becomes obsolete, Apple will no longer support it with repairs or iOS security updates. This is a major issue, as if you can't receive security updates, your iPhone will no longer be secure. If you can't update your iPhone, attackers can take advantage of security holes to install malware on your device.
The company prevents downgrades to reduce exposure to vulnerabilities that hackers might target in outdated iOS versions. From Apple's perspective, every device running older software represents a potential security risk, both for individual users and the broader ecosystem.
Restore your device from an iCloud backup
Follow the onscreen setup steps until you reach the Transfer Your Apps & Data screen, then tap From iCloud Backup. Sign in to your Apple Account. Choose a backup. Look at the date and size of each and pick the most relevant.
Restore to the current iOS or iPadOS version
Update your iPhone or iPad wirelessly
Important Considerations Data Loss: The entire process erases your iPhone. Restore from a previous backup to recover your data after the downgrade. Backup Version: You cannot restore an iOS 26 backup directly onto an iOS 18 device. You'll need to restore from a backup made on the iOS version you're downgrading to.
Apple only allows installing versions of iOS that are still being signed — and older versions like iOS 18.5 are no longer signed by Apple's servers. That means even if you have an IPSW file, the installation will fail because the signature check won't pass.
No. The on device 'erase all contents and settings' does not affect the installed copy of iOS.
Restore the iPhone to go back to iOS 18
Downgrading your iOS device from iOS 18 to iOS 17 can help resolve compatibility issues, restore preferred features, or enhance overall device performance. While Apple generally encourages users to update to the latest iOS version, there are scenarios where reverting to a previous version becomes necessary.
Restore your phone from a backup: If you have a backup of your phone from before the changes were made, you can restore it to that point. This will bring back all of your settings, apps, and data. Typically, you can create a backup to your Google account or to a computer.
Access the Windows Recovery Environment. Once in Windows RE, select Troubleshoot, choose Advanced options and then System Restore. Select the restore point that you want to use in the list of results.
However, you still may prefer to stay on the new version because this process will wipe your iPhone. The only way to reinstall an older version of iOS is to wipe the current one from your device.
Sorry, but you can't. Apple does not support downgrading.
Apple Stops iOS 18 Signing - iOS 26 Now Only Option.
What is the Oldest iPhone That is Still Supported? As of 2024, the oldest iPhone models still receiving iOS updates are the iPhone XS and XS Max, which were released in 2018. While these older models can still run the latest iOS version, users might notice some trade-offs.
If your phone is outdated, struggling to keep up, and no longer supported with software updates, it's probably time to say goodbye. However, if your phone is still going strong with a little TLC, you can save money and reduce e-waste by extending its life.