Updated to iOS 26, but don’t like it? Don’t worry, there’s still time to downgrade your iPhone or iPad to iOS 18.
In this guide, we have shared easy-to-follow steps that will let you downgrade to iOS 18.6.2. Once you have downgraded successfully, you can also install iOS 18.7 from the Settings app.
Update: Apple has stopped signing iOS 18.6.2. This means it is no longer possible to downgrade iOS 26 back to iOS 18.
Before you begin:
- Your iTunes or Finder backups that you made while running iOS 26 cannot be restored on iOS 18. You can only restore backups that you created while running iOS 18.
- You can still restore iCloud Backups to your iPhone after the downgrade process has completed.
- If you installed watchOS 26 on your Apple Watch, you will no longer be able to use it with your iPhone that is running iOS 18. You cannot downgrade software on an Apple Watch. So proceed only if your Apple Watch is still on watchOS 11.
Things you need:
- iOS 18.6.2 or iPadOS 18.6.2 IPSW file – Download here
- A USB-C cable
- iTunes, if you’re using a Windows PC
Downgrade iOS 26 to iOS 18
Step 1. On your Mac, launch Finder. On Windows, launch iTunes.
Step 2. Connect your iOS device to your computer using a USB-C or Lightning cable.
Step 3. Put your device in recovery mode:
- Now press and hold the Side button until the Recovery Mode screen appears.
- Press and release the Volume Up button.
- Then press and release the Volume Down button.
Step 4. Go to the Summary page. Press and hold the Option key or Shift key (on Windows) and click on the ‘Restore iPhone’ option
Step 5. From the window that opens, navigate to the iOS 18.6.2 IPSW you downloaded earlier.
Step 6. Let Finder or iTunes install iOS 18.6.2 on your device. Do not unplug your device during this process.
Once you have followed these instructions, you will be able to restore your iTunes/Finder backup or iCloud backup on your device.
As of right now, iOS 18.6.2 is still being signed. However, Apple will stop signing this iOS version soon, after which it will no longer be possible to downgrade from iOS 26 to iOS 18.
