Nothing new here; Apple has an old habit of stopping the signing of the older versions of iOS just a few days after releasing the new iOS 18 version.

And once the latest one is installed, well, adios. Let's explore why Apple does this and what it means for those who want to reverse the software updates on their ‌iPhones.

Why Does Apple Stop Signing Older iOS Versions?

Apple Stops Signing Older iOS Versions: Why You Can’t Downgrade

Apple periodically stops signing older versions of iOS about a week or two after a new update is released. This ensures that ‌iPhones‌ run on the most up-to-date software, which keeps devices secure and optimizes performance, MacRumors reports.

When Apple "stops signing" an older iOS version, users no longer have the ability to install it because Apple's server verifies software at the time of installation, so no out-of-date version is brought onto a device.

No Rollback to iOS 18.0.1

If you have updated your ‌iPhone‌ to iOS 18.0.1, then you will not be able to downgrade back to iOS 18.0. This is just another criticism leveled against Apple: once Apple does stop signing a version, users are basically left with it, which means when something has gone wrong in the last update.

Why Update Your iPhone?

The company has blocked downgrades mainly for security concerns. Older versions of iOS sometimes have vulnerabilities that make the device an open door for hackers and malicious attacks. By causing users to stay on the latest version of iOS, Apple reduces risks of breaches in security and ensures better performance across devices.

Of course, iPhone 16 owners who have already upgraded the system to iOS 18.0.1 users have no more chances to downgrade. Users of iPhone 15 and other older models can still be downgraded to iOS 17.7 for Apple is not discontinuing signing. This is a rare exception whereby partial acceptance is given to older devices when it comes to updates.

iOS 18.0.1: What's Fixed?

Although iOS 18.0.1 seems like a little update, it actually introduced very critical feature improvements aimed at generalizing the improvement of the user experience. Some of the most notable fixes include the following, according to 9to5Mac.

Touch Screen Issues: Users faced problems with an unresponsive screen. Apple solved these issues when releasing iOS 18.0.1 and made it easier for the user.

Camera App Bugs: The bugs relating to photo and video capture functions in the Camera application were sorted by updating iOS 18.0.1.

Fixes on Messages App: The tech giant has also fixed bugs in the Messages app, thus allowing users to have unimpeded communication.

Aside from such performance fixes, it has also corrected two vulnerabilities. Thus, it has become more important for people to update their devices in order not to have their personal information compromised.

As some users prefer to remain at older versions of iOS for personal reasons, Apple stops signing previous versions, which ensures those devices are secured and updated. The latest updates with iOS 18.0.1 remind users once again why they need to run the latest software to have the best experience of their ‌iPh

If you are running iOS 18.0.1, you can no longer downgrade but do not worry since this version of iOS is the most secure and reliable at the moment.